Horrible Scale and Polish at Dentist

LRavenscroft

I went for a scale and polish at my dentists the other days and for the life of me I could not cope with the amount of water in my mother. The dental nurse was trying to vacuum up what she could but I was finding it hard to swallow any excess which I have always been able to do in past years. The dentist was very patient and stopped and started and worked as fast as he could but I am still surprised at myself for not managing this. I think it could be a sign of getting older (late 60s). What do other Gransnetters find?

*I could not cope with the amount of water in my mouth' NOT mother. Ooops! Silly me!

Not something I have experienced, by hate that kind of pain. Always take 2 paracetamol 3 hours before, and another 2, 45 ins before.

I always have this problem at the dentist, think I produce a lot of saliva when I'm nervous. My French dentist doesn't have a nurse with him unless it's something major so I just have to wave my hands a lot to get him to stop. I'm sure he thinks it's a strange quirk of English people.

I don't know why I find having a scale and polish so uncomfortable but I do. At least my nice dentist does it. There used to be a horrible dental hygienist who kept making snide remarks about me to the nurse as she worked. I don't think anyone liked her and when the new dentist took over the practice she left.

I also can't cope with the water cleansing, so I ask the hygienist to do it the old fashioned way without water. It takes a little longer but she does it really well, and it's just as effective.

I just wish they would warm the water up a bit. It is sometimes so cold it makes my ears hurt.

Happysexagenarian

I also can't cope with the water cleansing, so I ask the hygienist to do it the old fashioned way without water. It takes a little longer but she does it really well, and it's just as effective.

Am going to ask for that next time, I can’t stand all the water either feel like am drowning.
I only go and get this done about every four years it’s real expensive.

I had to stop having a scale and polish for a while.

It wasn't an excess of water but the excruciating pain she put me through! I knew I wasn't alone because other people mentioned it.

I can't cope with it at all. I'm fine with fillings etc but can't do with the descaling. My dentist just scrapes any tartar away with a metal probe.

Not good if you have sensitive teeth. My practice has a new young hygienist who is very gentle. Thank goodness I say.

I joined my dentist practice last summer. Previously my old dentist always saw to the scrape and polish and was very kind. This dentist sent me to the hygienist, and what a shock! Lots of pain, and spitting little blood clots all day afterwards. I’ve got to see him again on Friday and I’m absolutely dreading it!

I always call it a torture appointment, £48 for the privilege, although my hygienist is very gentle and she stops often.

wildswan16

I just wish they would warm the water up a bit. It is sometimes so cold it makes my ears hurt.

They can’t , warm water creates bacteria and biofilm in the water tubes

I’m a hygienist and I’ve been told I’m very gentle. I also hand scale if patients dislike the ultra sonic (water scaler ) the results are the same , however hand scaling takes longer especially if there is a lot of tartar or stain . I also use a topical anaesthetic (numbing gel) if patients have sensitive teeth .
Just ask if you find it uncomfortable.
I also give samples of sensitive toothpaste for any post op sensitivity.
And if you see your hygienist regularly there will be less buildup meaning less discomfort.

It is not you, it is a horrible experience

Ali23

I joined my dentist practice last summer. Previously my old dentist always saw to the scrape and polish and was very kind. This dentist sent me to the hygienist, and what a shock! Lots of pain, and spitting little blood clots all day afterwards. I’ve got to see him again on Friday and I’m absolutely dreading it!

Your old dentist probably did a very superficial scale and polish because they don’t have the time to do a thorough one. Hence being referred to the hygienist.

JaneJudge

It is not you, it is a horrible experience

Oh I know , I’ve been doing it for 40 years . I’ve developed a thick skin

I had a scale and Polish a few weeks ago and it wasn’t so bad.

Ali23, surely this is not normal to have blood clots after a scrape and polish? I would not think this is normal.

I’ve avoided going to the hygienist for years but felt it was about time recently and had four sessions with gel and injection each time. Injections I’ve always avoided in the past and never had them for fillings but the gel numbed first so it wasn’t too bad. Luckily I coped with the water (your typo made me laugh LR) and I actually felt quite relaxed surprisingly. The painful bit was the cost - over twice your cost each time LadyGracie

Here, there are three varieties of scale/polish. First, the quick one we are all entitled to with an NHS check up - blink and you'll miss it - in fact you have to ask or it's forgotten.

Second, there's the NHS one, 20 minutes or so of scraping with a quick polish and you're done - then, third (the one you're always encouraged to book) the private one, either half an hour or a full hour of torture depending on the state of your gums and teeth - horrendously painful and expensive. I take my stronger pain meds, codeine/tramadol, for that one!

Thanks for that advice about having to ask for the free NHS clean…it’s certainly never been mentioned or offered at a routine checkup!

After a very horrific experience with an expensive hygeinist four years ago, which pain at the time, but for the following week, I refuse to pay out money for one of these ever again.

In my eighties, I am concerned to keep my teeth for as long as possible. I clean carefully twice a day, water floss (warm water) myself, and use the interdental brushes,

My last NHS dental check up cam up with no further work required and I then did ask for for a clean. THis is NEVER offered to me (I think that is really bad). Back in the long distant past I do remember that it was carried out routinely fat each check up. It was carried out and was, to say the least, uncomfortable - all that cold water!!!

Teeth definitely look better since that was done, and I will ask to ahve it done at each of my annul check ups. I KNOW I am entitled to thius, so why do I feel so guilty asking for it.?

My hygienist is very good. Puts numbing gel on before she starts and because I have an overly sensitive gag reflex and restricted jaw opening, stops and starts as often as I need her too.