I’m a dental hygienist... go on then ask away..

[Heatherjayne1972]

Been a hygienist over 20 years
In lots of different practices

Thank you so much for your reply xxx

Are all these different toothpastes any good and do they really do what they say? The variations are mind boggling and I never know which to buy.

Also been told to floss my ds (7) teeth but it's very hard to get into such a small space and he has a very sensitive gag reflex. As soon as you start to get near his back teeth he is almost sick. Any tips?

Bit of a long one here: I've been having treatment for gum disease since January . I use the little bent sticks, 5 different sizes and an interdental brush every day. I've had a deep clean; 2 hours over a month with local. I started off with loads of 8s and 7s (?) and today I have a shedload of 1s and 2s. However there is a persistent pocket right at the back. It's now a 5.

So my (private) hygienists has referred me to Birmingham for a second opinion and to see whether I need gum surgery to clean it all out (sounds revolting)
So can I have this under general anaesthetic or does it have to be local?
And how much do I pay? Do I have to pay?
Thanks.

@Allyg1195
There’s so many different toothpastes out there For an everyday one id stick to a named brand (Colgate crest oral b etc) if you like the price it’s probably ok
Then there’s desensitising ones- they work in different ways Whitening ones - I’m not sure they do much The main brands all have fluoride in which you need to have
Not really sure why you been asked to floss a 7 year olds teeth- we wouldn't normally as you could damage the ligaments since these teeth are probably still erupting ( assuming they’re adult teeth)
I’d be more inclined to concentrate on a fluoride mouthwash at night And a low sugar diet If decay is an issue I’d suggest a small pea sized blob of adult toothpaste

@babysharkdoodoodoodo
The eights and sevens are the depths in millimetres your hygienist can get down to under the gum line it’s a measurement of the loss of the bone that holds your teeth in
Gum surgery is usually done under a local anaesthetic- Ive never come across anyone having a general anaesthetic
No idea if you have to pay. That’s a question you could ask your dentist/ hygienist

What is the job title of the professional who fits the implants? He comes in to do it at my surgery: my dentist doesn’t do that bit.

Thanks!

@urbanbreeder
He’d be called an implantologist or implant specialist
Some ordinary dentists are trained to fit implants and they do that alongside ‘normal’ dental stuff
Some specialists only do implants

Hi Heather, really great thread.
I'm going to start using the tepe brushes more (I tend to use waxed floss more).
Do you manage to tepe in between the back teeth?I find it v awkward to get the right angle for the Wisdom/other back tooth.
Thanks

@sarahBeeney
Yes you should get between the back teeth. First Make sure the brush is the right size for the gap- should be a snug fit

And Maybe bend the bristles to a right angle - that seems to be easier to get to the area
Not an easy place to get to tho

Thanks. Think I need to experiment with the sizes then.
I hate the sensation of the tepe,it feels all sensitive. But then I hated floss to start with too and now I like it

Hi, I'd like to get my teeth professionally whitened but my dentist is reluctant as she says that I have sensitive teeth and whitening will make them even more so. Is the added sensitivity forever?

@LadyGAgain
You should always do what your dentist has suggested.

It’s true that whitening can make the teeth sensitive we often suggest a fluoride rinse ( no alcohol) and a sensitive toothpaste
You can ‘dab’ it on the sensitive areas at night as well as brushing with it
And you can put it on the tepes so it get right between the teeth - but don’t rinse afterwards
The sensitivity can last a long time tho

Do gums not always bleed with gum disease?

I've never been to a hygienist, because it's never been suggested to me (several dentists over a few decades, some private, some NHS...). Is this something I should have been sorting out for myself, or would I have been told if I should be seeing one?

Thanks for replying

do you notice chin hairs on women?

@fairshare
Yes gum disease aka periodontal disease is characterised by bleeding gums amongst other things
So if there’s bleeding there’s a problem

@lalafafa
Yes and spots. Bogeys random
Bits of food yuk
But I’d never say anything to the patient. We remain professional at all times

@shatnersbassoon
I can only answer as far as my own experience but generally if you need a hygienist appointment the dentist will tell you
You could always ask the dentist at your exam appointment

I'll wait for the say-so, I don't want to look keen

But i was told i had gum disease but my gums have never bled, can this happen?

@fairshare
They’ll be looking at boneless both in the mouth with our measuring probe and on an X-ray
Probably noting any plaque or tartar and any inflammation and there most likely will be bleeding from deep under the gums Even if you not seen it on cleaning
If they say you have it. You have it
Maybe you need to talk it through with your own dentist / hygienist and they can show you

@HeatherJayne1972 Thankyou.

@Heatherjayne1972 thank you for your most excellent replies.
I never rinse my mouth after tooth brushing, is this right?
Plus I clean my teeth before breakfast and then wait half an hour after eating and clean again. Is the half hour wait necessary ( something to do with acid production on enamel I vaguely remember)
Finally, if I vomit ( stomach problems) I rinse with tap water and gargle. But then wait half an hour before brushing with toothpaste. Is this right?
Sorry for all the questions!
I see my brilliant hygienist every 3 months, I should ask her.

@toldmywrath
Yes never rinse after brushing - leave the fluoride in contact with the teeth so it can absorb in to the enamel
Technically you are correct waiting half an hour after eating to brush and yes this gives the saliva time to nutralise the acids ( most people don’t do this tho)
Yes stomach acid is very very strong if you brush immediately you’re brushing acid into the enamel. This is not good
Wait a good 30 mins after rinsing with plain water - I’d recommend a daily alcohol free fluoride rinse also to protect the teeth
I hope you’ve seen the GP about it as vomiting can damage the oesophageal and stomach as well as your teeth

Thank you so much. Yes GP is aware, I've had gastroscopy and hospital diagnosis (and take lansoprazole)