Haven't brushed in years...regretting it now.

[estherocs]

I am 20 years old, soon turning 21, and it's probably been about four or five years now since I stopped brushing my teeth.  The reason for it is a whole nother story, so I won't get into that.  It's probably also been about three or four years since I've been to a dentist.  I've been trying to ignore the issue for as long as possible, but it is now nearly to the breaking point.  The pain is too much to handle, and I am severly regretting this foolish mistake.  At this point, I have several teeth that are rotting out nearly down to the gum, and it makes eating and drinking very painful.  I am fearful of going to the dentist now, not just because of the awful pain it would cause, but the embarassment of trying to explain how things got this way.

My question is, is there any hope at all left for my teeth?  It is my understanding that once a tooth is gone, it's gone forever.  But I still (for now) have all of them.  Are there any artificial treatments that could be used to, say, patch up the rotted areas, and make things somewhat normal again?  I can barely even brush as it is now, as the pain of the toothpaste inside those areas and the brush itself is almost unbearable.

Is any treatment available for my situation besides things I can do myself to sort of stop the decay where it is, or am I basically doomed at this point?

[Jus1979]

If you don't like toothpaste you should just use brushing salts which you can prepare yourself.  Just boil seawater until only the salt remains and brush with that.  Or add salt to water and boil it.  Then brush with that very salty water. Try avoid using coarse salt crystals because they are very abrasive.

[gracie2006]

I did not go to a Dentist from the age of 24 until I was about 40.  I was forced to go when one of my teeth broke.  I got in urgently to a new dentist.  I too was afraid of being judged.  He asked, "Has it been a while since you have seen a dentist?"  I said "yes, probably too long".  He said, "It's OK, we don't look back here".  Just go get the help you need.  Don't look back.  You made a mistake in the past.  Get things fixed and buy a good electric toothbrush so you can get gold stars at your regular visits!

[chance's mom]

Okay lets get past the reasons why you haven't brushed and get on with the help part okay?Remember your dental personal has seen and heard it all.You are making the first big step you are going in.We don't look at you like oh gosh what have you done.We want to help you.You do not even have to explain why you did it.If they direct that question at you, just simply say what can we do now?
Saving the teeth is the ultimate goal.If a tooth is beyond saving,bone loss,extensive pocketing,or heroic measures to save it, even with possibley the ultimate loss.You have to think about what else can be done.Alot depends on your finacial rsources.You mentioned broken at gumline some teeth are still alive and can be crowned.Even a tooth that is dead may be a candiate to have a root canal and then a crown should be placed over it.A root canal is a good way of preserving bone and maintaining the space and estetics.When it is beyond saving there is extraction(pulling it) .When this is done you can have bone placed in the hole and an implant placed.Imagine a bionic root,( a screw) with  a natural tooth (crown over it).Another possibiliy is you may need only a filling.Your dentist can evaluate through an exray and other means.He/she should inform you of all your options.If they don't,ask.
If it is eroded at the gum line due to abraction,plaque eating through the enamel then it can also be sensitive.Depending on whether or not there is decay they can often times place composite(white tooth filling) in the recessed area.An easy procedure but can be quite uncomfotable before repair.
Doing nothing will only cause more pain, and in the presence of decay which is bacteria, it will not resolve itself.If you have to have an extraction and money is an issue.When the oralsurgeon removes the tooth.They can place bone in it now.It preseves the site for an implant, for a time down the road  when an implant might be more affordable.If that is not an option (money) for cosmetic reasons you can have a fake tooth placed on a partial.Removing the tooth and doing nothing causes a whole new set of problems.Where ever it is in the mouth the tooth opposite it will have super eruption.Which means you may loose that tooth as well.Adjacent teeth can also move and cause problems.
Please do not be fearful of going in.They are there to help you.Ask people you trust who they recommend as a dentist if you do not know one.When you go in tell them your fear of the pain, and they should have things to help you.