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AMA

I'm a dental nurse AMA.

117 replies

IAmADNAMA · 02/11/2020 21:46

Probably a boring one but anything anyone ever wanted to know? Grin

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Sparklingbrook · 02/11/2020 21:50

How long does it take to be fully confident you are passing the dentist the right stuff. It’s like whole different language!

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IAmADNAMA · 02/11/2020 21:55

I really think this depends on how quickly you can learn. I learn better with physically seeing something so I picked it up pretty quickly.
But some dentist call things by a different name and I have to think for a second!

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PrincessMaryaBolkonskaya · 02/11/2020 22:15

What do you really think about patients with bad teeth? Do you and the dentist talk about patients with bad teeth when the patient has gone?

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IAmADNAMA · 02/11/2020 22:22

@PrincessMaryaBolkonskaya

What do you really think about patients with bad teeth? Do you and the dentist talk about patients with bad teeth when the patient has gone?

No, never.
I'm used to seeing all sorts so nothing takes me by surprise. I actually like ones that need to be worked on because the confidence in the patient afterwards is lovely to see.
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lousywithvirginity · 02/11/2020 22:26

Have you ever judged someone for bad oral hygiene?
Do you whiten / cosmetically change your own teeth (like veneers?)
Do you have any dental problems of your own?

Sorry probably quite personal but I'm trying to get through a mild dental phobia honestly Blush

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IAmADNAMA · 02/11/2020 22:39

@lousywithvirginity

Have you ever judged someone for bad oral hygiene?
Do you whiten / cosmetically change your own teeth (like veneers?)
Do you have any dental problems of your own?

Sorry probably quite personal but I'm trying to get through a mild dental phobia honestly Blush

No never have judged someone with bad oral hygiene. We are there to inform and educate. A lot of the population don't follow a good oral hygiene unless shown and spoken to about it. For example most people are unaware that your brushing your teeth before bed is the most effective clean of the day.

I did whiten my teeth with trays I had custom made by the dentist but it made teeth sensitive so I stopped.

I have one filling. I'm having the material changed as it doesn't seem to agree with my tooth. Smile
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SeasonallySnowyPeasant · 02/11/2020 23:03

Why do so many dentists have bad breath?

Which is more fun: getting the suction hose out or watching the patient's face as they get the first taste of that awful bitter thing the dentist uses before putting in a filling?

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BloomShine · 02/11/2020 23:04

Very timely. I posted this evening and didn’t get any replies so happy to see your AMA

My crown fell out earlier today while brushing my teeth. I popped it back in immediately. My dentist can’t see me until Wednesday. I tried to remove it this evening and it seems stuck now but how can it be if it came out earlier? I am scared I will swallow it in my sleep. Has anyone any experience of this?

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lousywithvirginity · 02/11/2020 23:06

is there anyway you can cure gum disease at home? mine's pretty bad but i'm terrified of dentists!

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IAmADNAMA · 02/11/2020 23:49

@SeasonallySnowyPeasant

Why do so many dentists have bad breath?

Which is more fun: getting the suction hose out or watching the patient's face as they get the first taste of that awful bitter thing the dentist uses before putting in a filling?

I've never known a dentist to have bad breath! 😂.
Also the thing you are describing is called etch and the patient shouldn't taste it. You might have to get a new dentist I think Wink
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IAmADNAMA · 02/11/2020 23:56

Oh dear.
Sorry to hear you lost your crown. If it has stayed back on do not attempt to pull it back off. The crown is made perfectly for your tooth so could be a case that the crown is such a good fit for your tooth that it fits snuggly but the 'glue' wore off and made it come loose. If you pop to a pharmacist if you're really worried you can get repair kits for the time being. Keep the area nice and clean though. I doubt you will swallow it in your sleep so try not to worry! Especially if you tried to pull it off and it didn't want to come off. Sleep with your head a bit more upright if you're afraid of swallowing it though.

In my time of being a dental nurse I know no one who swallowed a crown. We have had a few that have chucked them in the bin then fetched them back out when they realise we can glue them back on and not have to spend hundreds for a new one.

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CommanderBurnham · 02/11/2020 23:59

Dentist here! Dental nurses are unsung heroes. Please always thank them, even if you don't like the dentist.

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IAmADNAMA · 02/11/2020 23:59

@lousywithvirginity

is there anyway you can cure gum disease at home? mine's pretty bad but i'm terrified of dentists!

Depends! Gum disease has stages.
If we are talking about a bit of gingivitis then yes. If we're talking about periodontal treatment then no. I'm sorry to hear you have a phobia of the dentist but please do seek help for your gum disease as eventually it will cause tooth loss and just sore gums in general.
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IAmADNAMA · 03/11/2020 00:00

@CommanderBurnham

Dentist here! Dental nurses are unsung heroes. Please always thank them, even if you don't like the dentist.

This made me smile! Thank you! Grin
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SpongeWorthy · 03/11/2020 00:11

Can you ever really get rid of discolouration on the edge of teeth, nearest the gums? Is this something you have to get professionally done or will some home treatments help?

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TheMenopausalPinkHairedWitch · 03/11/2020 00:12

I used to be a dental nurse. Many years ago. I can still remember how to fill in the chart. When I'm sat in the chair and my dentist is talking to the dental nurse I'm marking it off in my mind.

The last time I was at the dentist I had an abcess so bad that it made my face swell up. Both he and the dental nurse said that they loved dealing with stuff like that. I don't doubt them, but is that true? It must be pretty horrible to deal with something pretty minging!

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SpongeWorthy · 03/11/2020 00:14

Also every single dental nurse I've ever met has been lovely! Even when there's been a severe scary dentist the nurse has given sympathetic looks and been generally ace.

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IAmADNAMA · 03/11/2020 00:20

@SpongeWorthy

Can you ever really get rid of discolouration on the edge of teeth, nearest the gums? Is this something you have to get professionally done or will some home treatments help?

In my opinion I don't think home treatments have much of an effect.
It's best to get it done properly.
We try our bests not to be scary! Grin
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IAmADNAMA · 03/11/2020 00:22

@TheMenopausalPinkHairedWitch

I used to be a dental nurse. Many years ago. I can still remember how to fill in the chart. When I'm sat in the chair and my dentist is talking to the dental nurse I'm marking it off in my mind.

The last time I was at the dentist I had an abcess so bad that it made my face swell up. Both he and the dental nurse said that they loved dealing with stuff like that. I don't doubt them, but is that true? It must be pretty horrible to deal with something pretty minging!

Oh nice! Do you miss dental nursing?
I do enjoy the more gruesome procedures! Blush
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grassisjeweled · 03/11/2020 00:25

Is flossing actually that important?

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IAmADNAMA · 03/11/2020 00:26

@grassisjeweled

Is flossing actually that important?

Yes very! How else are you going to get rid of the debris between your teeth. Unless you use a water flosser or waterpik of course.
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YerAWizardHarry · 03/11/2020 00:26

Ex dental nurse here too! Does your practise offer NHS dentistry or just private work? What's your favourite treatment to nurse for? Which do you totally dread?

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SpongeWorthy · 03/11/2020 00:27

Thanks so much for coming back to me - you're my new favourite dental nurse!

Can you ever really get rid of discolouration on the edge of teeth, nearest the gums?

Is this usually achievable with a professional appointment? Sorry to be a pain I know you can't give a full consultation! Just in principle, whether it's something you generally see some good results for.

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IAmADNAMA · 03/11/2020 00:28

@YerAWizardHarry

Ex dental nurse here too! Does your practise offer NHS dentistry or just private work? What's your favourite treatment to nurse for? Which do you totally dread?

Both NHS and Private.
My favourite is implants because it can be a little gruesome sometimes!
What was your favourite? Do you miss it?
I don't really dread anyway but the one I like least I'd say is a root canal. It's so boring for a nurse!
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IAmADNAMA · 03/11/2020 00:32

@SpongeWorthy

Thanks so much for coming back to me - you're my new favourite dental nurse!

Can you ever really get rid of discolouration on the edge of teeth, nearest the gums?

Is this usually achievable with a professional appointment? Sorry to be a pain I know you can't give a full consultation! Just in principle, whether it's something you generally see some good results for.

Thanks! Grin
Of course I can't give you the best answer like a dentist can.
What sort of discolouration are we talking about yellow/brownish is usually calculus which your dentist will advise a hygiene appointment or a scale and polish which will remove it safely. Once this so removed if you have calculus you will see the colour of your tooth again after a good hygiene appointment.
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