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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Question about dentists and dental X-rays

34 replies

Linnet · 09/03/2021 22:00

Not really an Aibu but I’m posting for traffic.

Can a dentist tell at your examination that you are brushing your teeth every day? And can you refuse X-rays?

I was at the dentist 2 weeks ago for my six monthly check up. My dentist had a look and did X-rays and told me that I was to come back for deep cleaning as my gums are not looking good at all and to make appointments on the way out. She also advised me to brush my teeth twice a day for two minutes. I told her that I do brush my teeth twice a day for two minutes as I use a timer on my phone and she just laughed and said yes that’s what everyone says!

I’m now going back for two separate appointments for deep cleaning and today I received the estimate for the costs. In the estimate, which is itemised, it mentions X-rays and the cleaning.

Is it usual to have X-rays again after having just having them done 2 weeks ago? Can I refuse to have them? I’m not sure how comfortable I am having more X-rays so soon after the first lot.

This is a new dentist who has taken over the practise and I think I’m a little bit worried that she’s just adding things in to get as much money out of me as possible.

OP posts:

StormcloakNord · 09/03/2021 23:33

@l2b2 sorry to totally hijack the thread but you sound like you know your stuff!!

If you get a 2 (which from reading this thread I think is bad???) can you reverse it?!

When my dentist poked my gums and said all the numbers there was one 'two' and now I'm worried I'm not brushing right 😂

FlyNow · 09/03/2021 23:33

You can decline any procedure, so definitely don't have them if you don't want. Just say that you'd prefer to wait and get them at the usual time (in a year or whatever). The dentist may explain further, if they don't change your mind say "thanks for the advice, I have taken it in to account but I don't want them at this stage". Then they can document that.

I've also had the experience of different dentists saying totally different things. My last dentist was like your current dentist, always saying what a terrible brusher I was. My new dentist says my teeth look great. I'm not saying the first one was lying but there are always different opinions.

StormcloakNord · 09/03/2021 23:34

@Linnet it could be that the last dentist was lax, and this one is conscientious. If you're NHS then it definitely won't be money related even if that was her motive!

earsup · 09/03/2021 23:39

I like the dentist [ he is very sexy, was disappointed to see him in supermarket with wife and child a few months ago !! ]...never heard any numbers being mentioned etc..i clean mine 3 times a day and have a deep clean once a year....maybe they are going to suggest some very expensive private treatment later...??...this is not on nhs....

l2b2 · 09/03/2021 23:44

Are you in Scotland OP?

Code 2 isn't too concerning for the poster who asked. Should be able to get on top of that with scaling and adjustment to your oral hygiene technique. Ask your dentist to show you where you're missing and how specifically to tackle it.

AlrightTreacle · 09/03/2021 23:45

Less than £40 seems very reasonable for that!

My friend used to be a dental nurse, and had some horror stories about very lax NHS dentists, so I pay for private now. You only get one set of adult teeth!

maddening · 09/03/2021 23:55

Noodontwatch, not true in nhs - the cost of. 1 filling is the same as 10, if you come back within a certain amount of time and need a further filling they get no further money.

Original poster

Linnet · 10/03/2021 00:00

@l2b2

Are you in Scotland OP?

Yes I am in Scotland.

I’ve just been googling gum disease and saw on the NHS site that antihistamines can cause dry mouth which can lead to gum disease.

Guess who started a new antihistamine about 6 months before the new dentist started 🤔 I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

OP posts:

Starrylight · 10/03/2021 00:48

I think sometimes it can be more that dentists aren't as hot on hygienist issues? I'm 42, I have 'cracking teeth!', no cavities, no fillings, long roots on X-rays. Unfortunately I also have genetically bad gums 😕. No reason nor rhyme. But since a recommendation (4yrs ago) to 3mth visits to the hygienist, instead I have deep cleaning done, and a visit to a specialist at the gum clinic. All on the NHS. At £23 a pop I feel it's less about the money vs more saving my teeth? They're not stupid! We've had umpteen discussions regarding; flossing, brushing, mouthwash, medicated mouthwash courses, antibiotics, me losing weight (I did), me stopping smoking (I have). And sometimes the readings are better/worse. Unfortunately it's just 'one of those things'. They know I'm not 'daft', and I've demonstrated I know how to brush my teeth 😂. But as they're NHS funded, they did need to prove they'd covered all the bases before referring me down the hospital gum clinic route.

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