To think going to the dental hygienist is worse than having your eyes lasered?

[Lochroy]

I've just been for the first time. It was horrible. It felt like a prolonged attack with an angle grinder, a vacuum cleaner and a spear on my mouth. I wanted to cry. At least when I had my eyes done it was over in less than two minutes!

YANBU. Laser eye surgery carries more risk of course but it's over and done with. Plus the medical staff don't tend to judge you for having poor eyesight.

I go every 3 months. I quite like it 😀

You know I'd rather go to the hygienist than the actual dentist though. The scraping made me cringe but it was quite quick. I was just shocked at how hard they could do it! I was always under the impression you have to be careful with your teeth but my god she was forceful!

I really enjoy it!

Oh god I wish I hadn't read this - I'm booked in for my first visit in April and now very apprehensive 😳

I like the result but have a very sensitive gag reflex, so don't enjoy it at all. I dreaded going, as the hygienist was very brusque, but this time she was lovely to me. I make sure I go every 3 months and then it's much more bearable.

I’m so confused!!! I go every 6 months and it’s relaxing it’s amazing ?? Not painful or harsh ???

I'd rather have 3 hours of root canal treatment than a scale and polish. Agony! I think my dentist gets some sick kick out of the pain he causes.

I think it really varies. I used to enjoy my old hygienist but the last one I went to basically attacked my mouth with a chisel and it was so painful! …
And really expensive!

Agree with the water pik. Honestly if you floss a few times a week and visit the hygienist every 6 months it will NOT hurt. Reading this thread it is no surprise that people in this country have terrible teeth. In the US kids get their teeth cleaned at the hygienist - I take my DC every 6 months so they’re used to it and will hopefully stop them from getting that build up that causes cavities

How the flibbertijiberts could anyone find it relaxing? I was so tense I was gripping one hand in the other for dear life to stop me swatting him away.

Perhaps he isn't quite as gentle as some are, I might see if they have more than one hygienist at the practice.

I did learn quite a bit though - will now aim to floss - and the tales of bone eating plaque were quite alarming.

I floss every single evening but yes I find the hygienist judgemental. I am in my late fifties so surely some gum disease is normal by my time in life but no she prefers to nag and make me feel bad/worried.