I'm a dental nurse AMA.

[IAmADNAMA]

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

[Housewoes23]

Dilbertian Yes, that ^ although I don't even view it as an injection at all! It certainly doesn't feel like one. Just feels like a bit of pressure next to the gum, to me. It doesn't hurt at all. I wouldnt' ever have an injection in my mouth now, ever again!

[QueenPaws]

Is some flossing better than none? I'm rubbish at remembering but probably water floss or normal floss twice a week
Having a tooth out cured my dental phobia, I gave up smoking and asked for cosmetic bonding and my dentist about keeled over "you stopped smoking? You WANT treatment? You ok?"

[IAmADNAMA]

@QueenPaws

Is some flossing better than none? I'm rubbish at remembering but probably water floss or normal floss twice a week
Having a tooth out cured my dental phobia, I gave up smoking and asked for cosmetic bonding and my dentist about keeled over "you stopped smoking? You WANT treatment? You ok?"

This made me giggle!
And yes some flossing is better than none!

[DentalImplant]

You said you liked implants. Can any dentist do implants or does it require a dental surgeon. How can one find a good dentist for implants?

[QueenPaws]

Honestly I was awful, then I had a tooth out and realised that was as bad as it would get. I go every 6 months because I sleep in a night guard for clenching my teeth
Poor dentist is still confused and crept in to see me when I was having (voluntary) whitening and bonding, shook his head and backed out

[Dilbertian]

Oh I wish my dentist used this wand! The injection is the worst part. (Not that other parts aren't upsetting!) My dentist showed me the injection when I asked, and I was surprised to see that it looked like an elegantly slim pen. It had a little clicker on the side that delivered tiny doses of amarettos. That's why I only feel the first prick in any area. The rest are just pressure.

It's always less frightening to see the thing that scares you - naturally I was visualising something out of Little Shop of Horrors! Even though my semi-rational brain was telling me it would not be anything like that.

[Nets888]

"Yes receding gums can be very painful. Have you spoke to your dentist about period chips or even filling in the receding areas?"

What's period chips? My dentist applied sealant over the receding area but I can still feel this discomfort. What I fear the most is my dentist has missed an infection.

[Dilbertian]

Try not to swallow it and just focus on spitting. As you have prescribed toothpaste you have a higher fluoride content.

In that case I'll rinse in the mornings. There's generally only 10-15 minutes between brushing and breakfast. I'll still spit in the evenings.

[Joditaylorfan]

Thanks for the thread! I just wanted to say thank you - am always worried about choking on my saliva so really very grateful to dental nurses and suction catheters!

[Housewoes23]

dilbertian "Oh I wish my dentist used this wand! The injection is the worst part"

I agree. I'd find one who does if I were you! :) are you in the uk? Will happily send you a link to my dentist if you'd like.

Sorry OP, taking over your thread.

[Miip]

My upper right wisdom tooth started to grow and broke through the gum 2 years ago, when I was 42. It's stuck and hasn't grown anymore, it's about half way through. Is it okay to leave it? It's not sore.

[IAmADNAMA]

@Nets888

"Yes receding gums can be very painful. Have you spoke to your dentist about period chips or even filling in the receding areas?"

What's period chips? My dentist applied sealant over the receding area but I can still feel this discomfort. What I fear the most is my dentist has missed an infection.

Eek! I meant perio chips!!

[CoolYourBeansMySon]

I've got bad gum disease and I'm really scared about losing my teeth. I've had treatment twice and looking at now being referred to a gum specialist. Sorry if this isn't your area, but do you know what the specialist will do that the dentist can't? I had a dental phobia for years and only went to the one I do because they offer oral sedation rather than injections (private). Unfortunately things had got so bad by the time I sought help

[CoolYourBeansMySon]

Also, and again you may not know the answer to this, but I can't really afford to go private anymore. Do you think a NHS dentist will take me on with bad gum disease?

[IAmADNAMA]

@QueenPaws

Honestly I was awful, then I had a tooth out and realised that was as bad as it would get. I go every 6 months because I sleep in a night guard for clenching my teeth
Poor dentist is still confused and crept in to see me when I was having (voluntary) whitening and bonding, shook his head and backed out

I'm glad you have overcome your fear and taking good care of your teeth now. You're in good hands and well done it's a big fear to over come

[IAmADNAMA]

@DentalImplant

You said you liked implants. Can any dentist do implants or does it require a dental surgeon. How can one find a good dentist for implants?

No they have to be trained to do implants like many other treatments. Some dentist don't want to do them so just refer them to a specialist. We only had one dentist that did them at the time and most people are put off by the price

[IAmADNAMA]

@Joditaylorfan

Thanks for the thread! I just wanted to say thank you - am always worried about choking on my saliva so really very grateful to dental nurses and suction catheters!

Thank you

[IAmADNAMA]

@Miip

My upper right wisdom tooth started to grow and broke through the gum 2 years ago, when I was 42. It's stuck and hasn't grown anymore, it's about half way through. Is it okay to leave it? It's not sore.

If it isn't causing any pain then leave it be and be sure to clean around that area extra well. Wisdom teeth are a pain in the bum. They make an appearance when they feel like it!

[IAmADNAMA]

@CoolYourBeansMySon

Also, and again you may not know the answer to this, but I can't really afford to go private anymore. Do you think a NHS dentist will take me on with bad gum disease?

Of course an NHS dentist will take you on with bad gum disease. They will take on anyone and if we need you to see someone else for specialised treatment we will refer you to them usually on the NHS but in private practises so you pay the NHS price. (In our dentist anyway).

I don't know about specialised periodontal treatment but I can explain what we do NHS and private if that helps? I'm sure it would be similar.

So on NHS we are limited and would offer periodontal treatment and ask you to come in for a deep clean. Using a scaler or hand scaler if you don't like the ultrasonic scaler it goes deep and sometimes can be sensitive but many patients manage it without LA but if you ask to be numbed we will numb you. No problem.

With private we ask you to see the hygienist (some dentist do a hygiene appt themselves) we have a hygienist so frees up our dentists diary a bit. They have all range of treatments for deep cleaning and will spend usually around 20-30 minutes deep cleaning your teeth and counting your pockets. They usually shine them after as well.
We also on private offer perio chips (£25 per perio chip at our dentist) a perio chip containers chlorhexidine digluconate and is inserted into the periodontal pocket to get rid of the disease. This helps to reduce the pocket and inflammation.

Hope this helps.

[Nordman]

Have you ever had a patient ask out a dentist or nurse? I have a huge crush on my dentist!

[IAmADNAMA]

@Nets888

"Yes receding gums can be very painful. Have you spoke to your dentist about period chips or even filling in the receding areas?"

What's period chips? My dentist applied sealant over the receding area but I can still feel this discomfort. What I fear the most is my dentist has missed an infection.

Sorry forgot to answer!

a perio chip contains chlorhexidine digluconate and is inserted into the periodontal pocket to get rid of the disease. This helps to reduce the pocket and inflammation.

[IAmADNAMA]

@Nordman

Have you ever had a patient ask out a dentist or nurse? I have a huge crush on my dentist!

Yes!! I used to work with a male dentist not much older than me he was early 30's and everyone thought he was a hunk. I didn't see it myself and he used to blush! Some people just came straight out with it. At the time he was single and used to say oh no sorry I'm taken and would point at me! He thought it was hilarious to point at me!
He is such a lovely gentleman and is happily married now.

[IAmADNAMA]

@Nordman

Have you ever had a patient ask out a dentist or nurse? I have a huge crush on my dentist!

And yes I did have someone ask me out once and I politely declined. He was very handsome though

[bellinique]

Please can I ask how they fixed your fractured tooth?

I think I may have this problem too. I've had a tooth filled several times and it still hurts to bite on it but doesn't really hurt the rest of the time.

I've been told the next step is root canal and crown but I hate going to the dentists and don't know how I could ever sit through two looong appointments to do the root canal.

Also, I'm ridiculously scared of being sick at the dentists. I know how silly it sounds but it's what stops me going, I'm not really bothered about pain or needles! Are many people sick during/after treatment?

[ExDN]

Not such a boring thread now is it op

You mentioned career progression which is fantastic do you see yourself going on?

If your not fed up! I loved cleaning and sterilising the instruments. Have they improved that area? What is your favourite part of the job?