Horrible Scale and Polish at Dentist

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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

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 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 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.

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

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!