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Dreaded Dentists (part 2)

What I always think of when I read about dodgy dentists.


My teeth are pretty crap, I take after my dad. But from him I've learned it's better to go to the Dentist and get them sorted as best as possible, rather than just leaving them to rot and get even worse
 
Most of my plaque build up was behind my bottom teeth, that's where he took most time and then he did the rest. Looking in the mirror he has done a good job at cleaning them but IMO he was a bit rough around the gums which is why they bled.

I'm sorry - really, really sorry, since you're phobic about this - but even a routine cleaning when your teeth and gums are in great shape takes longer than 10 minutes. Maybe he cut it short because of your breathing problems, but I'm afraid he cut it short just because he isn't a very good dentist.

But you've gotten the really bad area taken care of, and that's great. So just concentrate on good dental hygene for a few months, but try to find a better dentist after that.
 
^ Most of my plaque build up was behind my bottom teeth, that's where he took most time and then he did the rest. Looking in the mirror he has done a good job at cleaning them but IMO he was a bit rough around the gums which is why they bled.

Gums bleeding during teeth scaling is normal, the less healthy the gums are the more they bleed.
 
but even a routine cleaning when your teeth and gums are in great shape takes longer than 10 minutes.

Surely not. 10 minutes is a lot longer than it sounds. Sit at your computer staring at the clock for 10 minutes and see just how long 10 minutes really is. More than enough time to clean some teeth around.
 
^ Nope. Sorry. (Really, really sorry.) I just had a routine cleaning less than a month ago, and it took maybe 20 minutes, perhaps a bit longer.

Think about everything they need to do: They need to get rid of all the plaque between and behind all your teeth, and then they need to clean the surface of the teeth, which includes a fluoride treatment, and then they usually finish with a polishing. How can anybody do that in 10 minutes?

And in your case, you had 9 years of plaque to be removed.
 
but even a routine cleaning when your teeth and gums are in great shape takes longer than 10 minutes.

Surely not. 10 minutes is a lot longer than it sounds. Sit at your computer staring at the clock for 10 minutes and see just how long 10 minutes really is. More than enough time to clean some teeth around.

I've never timed it but my cleanings which I have every 6 months take at least 10-15 minutes. I would think that after a decade the cleaning would take some more time.
 
You should think your self lucky after 9 years you found a dentists.
I have to go regularly if i don't i would be kicked off the list.
 
Just because i'd not been in 9 years doesn't mean my plaque build up was huge. As I said it was mostly behind my bottom teeth. He's managed to get between all my gaps and cleaned them out (which is where the gum bleeding is mostly) and also polished around afterwards.
He's done a good job but was a bit rough which might be why it was done so quickly, if he'd been more gentle perhaps it would have took much longer.
 
Just because i'd not been in 9 years doesn't mean my plaque build up was huge. As I said it was mostly behind my bottom teeth. He's managed to get between all my gaps and cleaned them out (which is where the gum bleeding is mostly) and also polished around afterwards.
He's done a good job but was a bit rough which might be why it was done so quickly, if he'd been more gentle perhaps it would have took much longer.

Well based on the fact that you hadn't been in 9 years and your admitted lack of brushing during that time I think the plaque buildup would be significant, certainly much more than someone who goes regularly.

I'm surprised it only took 10 minutes, either this guy was really quick or he didn't go a great job. Even a poor job would seem like a huge improvement if you hadn't had a cleaning in 9 years...
 
Another thing I just thought of: I don't know where you live, Tachyon Shield, but in the U.S., there are dentists who specialize in treating patients who have a phobia about dentistry or who have various reasons to dread dentists (they are abnormally sensitive to pain, for example). Such a dentist would be able to make you much more comfortable while still doing what needs to be done. To find one here, you'd look for one that advertises that he is "pain free" or that says he offers something such as "dentistry for fearful patients." You might want to consider that, if such a thing is available to you.
 
Well based on the fact that you hadn't been in 9 years and your admitted lack of brushing during that time I think the plaque buildup would be significant, certainly much more than someone who goes regularly.

I've said before that I only cleaned my teeth once a day on a morning but if i'm not in a hurry I do a good job of it. I think plaque build up has a lot to do with your diet and what you eat and drink as well as how many times you brush. I tend to drink a lot of tea constantly all day everyday, continually swilling tea in my mouth would probably stop the build up of plaque so after 9 years it probably wasn't that bad except for behind my bottom teeth where I find it difficult to reach with the toothbrush.

Another thing I just thought of: I don't know where you live, Tachyon Shield, but in the U.S., there are dentists who specialize in treating patients who have a phobia about dentistry or who have various reasons to dread dentists (they are abnormally sensitive to pain, for example). Such a dentist would be able to make you much more comfortable while still doing what needs to be done. To find one here, you'd look for one that advertises that he is "pain free" or that says he offers something such as "dentistry for fearful patients." You might want to consider that, if such a thing is available to you.

But they'll likely be private dentists and not NHS costing me a heck of a lot more money.
 
Having that much plaque on your teeth over a period of 9 years is understandable..but that's a LOOOOOOOOONNNGGG time waiting to go to the dentist for a checkup, dude! You should be going every six months or so. I agree with what other posters have said thus far-TELL your dentist about your breathing problems AHEAD of time. They aren't mind readers or psychic and can't tell when you're about to have an attack. Telling them would be very beneficial. And if I were you, I'd go seek a second opinion. That dentist sounds like a real cooc if you ask me! But what I would also do is this: get a toothpaste for sensitive gums(I got that cause I have a small case of gingivitis on my bottom gums and haven't had problems since I've been using the new toothpaste!) and floss at least once or twice a day..that way your gums will get stronger and they won't bleed as badly. If your gums are a little raw and sensitive, gargle with warm salt water..that always helps me when I am having gum issues! :D Just a thought.
 
How much of a problem is plaque? Can't it just simply be brushed away to prevent tooth decay?
 
How much of a problem is plaque? Can't it just simply be brushed away to prevent tooth decay?

Plaque hardens onto and between the teeth when constant dental hygiene isn't observed - and once it's hardened on, a dentist will use an ultrasonic scaler to dislodge it. The same principle used to clean tarnished jewellery.
 
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