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Child age 11 and tartar - dentist refused to remove it!

7 replies

spearker · 10/06/2024 11:16

My son has had a small amount of tartar on the bottom row of teeth for a while. The dentist over the last few appointments has refused to remove it stating that children's gums are too sensitive for him to remove it!

The orthodontist today told us that's a total myth and it needs removing. (He's also provided us a tooth brushing guidance video for going forwards).

We have actually moved to a new practice, have an appointment in august coming up (for other reasons).

If your child has tartar, what is the situation at your dentist? Do they remove it? Should I book a hygenist appointment? (Can I get this free for my child on the NHS?).

Just wondered if this is a common thing and why I would be told different things by dentist / orthodontist. And how it is usually resolved at your own child's dentist?

I am quite annoyed at the old dentist TBH for telling us this if it is the wrong approach completely! And confused why he would say this wrong info. Thanks!

OP posts:
bluecomputerscreen · 10/06/2024 11:33

you need a dental hygienist not a dentist to remove tartar from teeth.

BardsAreAssholes · 10/06/2024 11:34

Agree with @bluecomputerscreen , it’s a hygienist not a dentist you need

Octavia64 · 10/06/2024 11:36

Dental hygienists do this.

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TurtleMoon · 10/06/2024 11:38

Our dentist scraped a small amount off my son's teeth at our last appointment. He's 5 and these were his milk teeth, so seems an odd explanation🤷🏼‍♀️

spearker · 10/06/2024 11:53

Thanks all. Can we get a free hygenist appointment for children by any chance? It is really only at the bottom front teeth so to fork out £65 for a ten minute job seems insane.

OP posts:
spearker · 10/06/2024 11:58

Also confused as to why the dentist didn't suggest booking the hygenist if this is the standard treatment. Seems batty to me.

OP posts:
Isabelle3 · 15/06/2024 23:00

We've been taking DS (14) to the hygienist on a 3 month interval for a while now. Whilst this might seem strange by UK standards, visiting the hygienist at a young age is commonplace in many countries. A pass with the ultrasonic scaler followed by a polish makes a huge difference to his smile with his teeth looking noticeably cleaner & whiter. It seems that many UK dentists don't really acknowledge calculus build-up as an issue for young people; particularly into the teenage years. I honestly think many parents would be shocked to look behind their teenage DC lower incisors with a mirror (please buy one from Amazon and give it a go)...

In addition to this, his hygienist provides fantastic home-care advise. Her direction surrounding interdental cleaning has proven very useful with DS. Recent advice surrounding a WaterPik has really improved his periodontal scores.

TLDR: +1 for the hygienist. Not only does it help negate a mouthful of fillings, the visual results are well worth the cost. Your DS will have the shiniest pearly whites in the playground 😬😬😬.

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