Scale and polish with anaesthetic injections?

[sourcreamnchives]

So I have some gum loss but overall good teeth with only two fillings at age 54. I just went to the dentist (after two years!) and she took X-rays said my teeth were ok but some staining needs scale - but I said I have sensitive teeth (only when I go to the dentist n they poke about - and them blowing cold air on my teeth is HELL). She goes through the usuals of so you use sensodyne (yes it's no good now using oral b for sensitive teeth) -and I enquired how we could address my stained teeth if I can't tolerate the process of scale n polish. She goes I think we will leave it then! When I got home I thought what?! Surely you can't let my teeth be stained because I have sensitivity? I wondered whether they could give me injections beforehand - is there anyone out there with this issue? I'm NHS but willing to pay extra for injections if need be

I always have local anaesthetic before a scale and polish (on the NHS), so I don't think it'd be an odd request to ask for injections beforehand.

I've had the anaesthetic gel, that worked a treat. But that was at a teaching practice.

You need to see a good hygienist for a proper scale and polish. And you totally can have anaesthetic and you can ask them not to blow cold air on your teeth. My hygienist doesn’t even use the cold water spray cos I hate it so much.
The dentist fixes stuff , the hygienist does maintenance and prevents further gum loss. Worth their weight in gold.

Ok thanks sounds like that dentist should have offered this up?! I'm going to ring them up tomorrow and ask for this. Many thanks

@sourcreamnchives

For a deep clean this is very normal
Had both sides done in May on two one hour appointments.

I wouldn't attempt a scale and polish without local anaesthetic. Always book a double appointment. I'd rather have a mouthful of needles than the horrendous sensitivity. No water spray either!

How much is the hygienist? And what sort of timeframe are we looking at?

I have sensitive teeth too and the hygienist does my cleaning manually. No evil cold air or water. Just the sucking thing when she absolutely has to. Just ask for an appointment and explain on phone in advance that you're anxious about it and they'll be happy to talk through options. Standard scale and polish isn't expensive at all.

You can have a scale and polish with anaesthetic but just for some staining it seems quite extreme. I wouldn't do the whole mouth in one appointment as its quite unpleasant to be numb everywhere but its possible

It might be better to visit the hygienist for stain removal with LA

I found it horrendously sore with various nhs dentists but my private dentist’s hygienist is amazing - she does what is best for me (the pointy pick, no water spray and no air spray or sucky drying thing) - and notes that fit the next appointment. It never hurts any more.