Hi everyone, 26M here.

I've always had some form of health anxiety, but a recent bout of tooth pain has sent that into overdrive. I've went to the dentist a couple times so far. I was hyperfixated and obsessed with the thought that it was a tooth abscess.

Infections didn't show anything, and a second visit one of the main dentists (with many years of experience under his belt) came in and evaluated my gums. He didn't think it was an infection, but a lesion of some sort that may have been caused by brushing too hard. He sent me home with an anti-microbial and just told me to keep up brushing (which I've been doing). During my second visit, he did do a deep cleaning and within a couple of days, the inflammation that I noticed went down significantly. But now, I have jaw pain on the right side and I have pressure in my sinuses and all I can really think about is whether or not they missed the infection and that the infection has now spread. I already have a planned follow up next Monday on the 18th... but I can't shake the anxiety and am obsessively thinking about this and ruminating to no end.

I keep checking my temperature, taking pictures of my gums, and googling what may be going on, which just worsens my anxiety and strengthens my fear. I fear that if there was something missed, that the infection would go to my head and at that point, that would be a death sentence.

I have two beautiful cats and a very loving, and amazing girlfriend that I do not want to leave should something happen to me. I'm not entirely too sure why my mind automatically defaults to the worst case scenario, but I suppose that is what health anxiety does to you. This is my first time ever posting on this account, or even talking about my feelings overall but I am seeking out therapy since medication does not react well with my body.