To think dental health isn’t made a priority?

[Basketofkittens]

I’ve recently started seeing a dental hygienist and private dentist. There are no NHS dentists taking on patients in an 80 mile radius. I had to have a filling done and they were VERY insistent that I start using interdental brushes and floss and told me I should brush my teeth after every meal.

I’ve always had an NHS dentist from childhood. One appointment a year, a quick scale and polish and check up. Told to brush teeth twice a day. Nothing on keeping my gums clean.

Now I’m being told I have early gum disease so I’m looking after my mouth.

I’ve never really been told I need to floss etc. Do most people just not look after their dental health? I’ve got to 30 with no dental problems and never really paid much attention to my teeth other than brushing.

I visited the dentist every 6 months through childhood and early adulthood and nobody ever mentioned a scale and polish all those years. Then I went to a different dentist and had my first one and it was so painful. Now the town we recently moved to has 2 NHS dentists but neither are taking on new patients, and 3 private ones which we can't afford.

Our dentist nhs has always been up on dental hygene why wouldn't an Nhs dentist do a scale and polish ?

A scale and polish every six months has always been standard with my NHS dentist, along with advice on keeping my teeth healthy.

I'm the same as you, been to dentist regularly since child hood and never had anything but good comments. I brush my teeth twice a day with an electric toothbrush and don't drink fizzy drinks. I've also never been told I need to floss by a dentist

Every NHS dentist I have ever been to asks if I floss.

These incidental brushes are newish they were initially for cleaning around braces now dentists are advising you clean your teeth wth them! My dentist harps on about them 10/15 years ago it was all about electric tooth brushes.

Yes, I always thought the interdental brushes were just for braces, but then my dentist suggested I get them. Do you use them instead of flossing then?

I’ve been told I need to floss AND use the brushes. It hurt at first and the gums bled but much better now. My first hygienist appointment was painful, it was much more than a simple scale and polish! They want me to go every 3-6 months for that.

It sounds like you have an issue with your gum health so they are asking you to do more than would be normal to sort it out.

@SheldonSaysSo — so you never floss at all and you’ve never been told to? I would recommend you find a different dentist. Flossing (or interdental brushes) is one of the most basic elements of dental hygiene. Maybe even more important than brushing. I’m surprised it hasn’t caught up to you yet but I guarantee that it will.

askthedentist.com/flossing-or-brushing/

Our NHS dentist said teens should start using intedental brushes now, they refused for eco reasons (single use plastics) but compromised on flossing.

There's no evidence that a "routine" scale and polish does any good.
NHS Dentists get no money (therefore no time) for prevention, some younger dentists get paid £27 an hour gross if they see 3 patients. Take off tax, a £900 a year registration fee and £3000+ in insurance costs, they can't spend the time educating as well as doing a thorough check up.

The government simply want to privatise dentistry. A number of my friends who still practise, have had their NHS contracts taken off them despite wanting to continue to provide services.

Still, the majority of people blame a lack of dental care for holes in their teeth despite the fact that sugar is to blame in 99.9% of cases. The whole country is in a state of denial.

Clean teeth twice a day, spit don’t rinse, floss when you remember, usually four times a week.

I am 64 and still have most of my teeth.

I have an NHS dentist. I tend to book more appointments with the dental hygienist that the dentist, because the dentist only scales and polishes if they deem it clinically necessary.

My aunt had a stroke that the doctors think was caused by a dental abscess. Dental health should be much more integrated with the rest of the health service. I have paid for online myofunctional therapy for my kids, because I think you can't have straight teeth and optimal dental health without good oral function and posture.

I'm with an nhs dentist but they don't do scale and polish, we have to pay £50 for the hygienist to do it. A lot of people couldn't afford that twice a year.

My gums don’t bleed and I only had the pain and bleeding after my filling and hygienist appointment. But it’s much better now.

my NHS dentists scales and polishes every visit - and I see them every 6 months. Also discusses oral hygiene and flossing

I see an nhs dentist but a private hygienist. I have had trouble with gum disease, but she has done wonders over several years and it is now under control. I use interdental brushes, and a little round toothbrush to get into all the nooks and crannies after using my electric brush.
I think it is terrible that it is so difficult to find an nhs dentist. I have stayed with mine, despite moving away, as there was no nhs dentist in this area. My oh goes private and gets good treatment , but at a price. However, my nhs dentist is lovely and I have been going there for over 30 years. I have also had work done by him that falls outside the remit of nhs treatment, so had to pay, but I was happy with the job done.
I see my hygienist 4 times a year, which costs around £200 per annum. I am in my 60's and still have all my teeth. Long may it continue.

Scale and polish has always been standard with my NHS dentists.

I don’t think it’s a priority though because many people can’t find a NHS dentist and just cant afford private. I know people who haven’t visited the dentist for well over a decade.

Our dentist(NHS) also doesnt do scale and polish (done under hygeinist £40 .00 per session!.My dentist recommended a good toothpaste ,and to use mouthwash as well.I dont know if just me but cant seem to get the hang of flossing ?!. Dental health has definitely suffered in recent years .Many people cant afford private Dental Care and NHS dentists are scarce in some areas particularly .

I would live to prioritise dental health but unlikely to be offered an NHS dentist for many years as there are 9000 on lists apparently. Can't afford private at all.

I agree. I see hygienist every 3 months and starting my 10 yr old next month. I would really like dental insurance that covers all costs so no unexpected bill's but doesnt seem to be such a thing out there. So I see nhs dentists and private hygenist

I also had never had my dentist do anything except a check up and my new dentist is very much on scaling and interdental brushes too

From NHS Direct:

“Gum disease has also been associated with an increased risk for a number of other health conditions, including:

cardiovascular disease
lung infections
premature labour and having a baby with a low birth weight if you're affected during pregnancy.”

And: “Periodontitis is frequently reported to be socially patterned, i.e. people from the lower end of the socioeconomic scale suffer more often from it than people from the upper end of the socioeconomic scale.”