Man with dentist phobia sees teeth 'crumble away'

A man with a dentist phobia so severe he allowed most of his teeth to "crumble away" has discovered that the bones in his face have begun to deteriorate.

Lajos Csendes, a florist from Hungary now living in Hackney, east London, has struggled with weak teeth since his teens and has seen them break from biting into bread.

The 31-year-old has been told the process of restoring his teeth and facial structure will take about two and a half years.

Dentists believe more frequent visits could have prevented Mr Csendes' crumbling teeth but genetics also play a part, as his sister has the same issue.

Mr Csendes explained that he stopped going to the dentist, as he felt the NHS did not take his phobia seriously.

"They thought I was joking when I said I have this fear," he said. "It makes me have nightmares. I hope people realise it really affects me and is a serious issue."

In 2024, Mr Csendes thought he was having a heart attack, only to discover that an infection from his teeth had entered his bloodstream and spread towards his heart.

It pushed him to go to a specialist clinic in Hungary which specifically helps with patients with a dental phobia.

Mr Csendes hopes to have the restoration procedure in Hungary, where it will cost £20,000 to £25,000. He is fundraising to meet this cost.

"They plan to take my teeth roots out and then open up the part of my face, above my mouth, and screw in metal bolts into my upper and lower jaw to bring my jawline forward," Mr Csendes explained.

"They'd then put ceramic teeth in."

He initially considered undergoing surgery through the NHS but found the idea of visiting a traditional dentist too overwhelming.

He said over the years, dental check-ups became almost impossible as every time he tried to attend an appointment, he felt unable to step inside the building.

According to NHS England, the level of anxiety an individual experiences in relation to dental treatment is likely to vary from person to person, and the treatment performed.

It stated the term phobia was reserved for an anxiety disorder with a marked and specific fear that is deemed excessive or unreasonable, causing situations to be "avoided where possible".

Mr Csendes believes that once the treatment is complete, his life will be "transformed".

"I'll be able to feel normal again and not have to worry about my smile," he said.

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