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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want a local anaesthetic for deep clean

51 replies

Trimphones · 22/09/2025 21:43

Some dentists/hygienists understand, some are dismissive, I always explain that I need an anaesthetic because my teeth are really sensitive. Today I lost my shit because despite explaining this she said she'd be quick, before I knew it in she went, I nearly hit the roof, I lost my temper because I had told her specifically that I needed local, I can still feel it now hours later, and she only touched one tooth, Is it because they can't be arsed? Or is it that administering it is difficult,? so many huffs and puffs from some when I ask, then others will quickly get on with it,no problem.
How do i insist on it next time, so I don't lose my shit because the stupid cow didn't listen.

OP posts:
JaceLancs · 22/09/2025 22:04

It’s because it takes longer
I’ve compromised with my hygienist - we use a numbing gel rather than full on injections - and I grit my teeth briefly - she also moves around quickly not concentrating on one area for too long

MemorableLlama · 22/09/2025 22:06

Mine uses numbing gel and it works really well. I tell her which are the most sensitive and she puts loads on and leaves it for ages to work. Could that be an option for you?

Trimphones · 22/09/2025 22:20

@JaceLancs @MemorableLlama, thank you, I didn't know I could ask for this, the pain is so sharp I'm not sure if it would be adequate,? I already have a lot of anxiety around this because of my past experience, I just wish that they'd get on with it, in the time they spend huffing and puffing they could have given me the bleeding injections lol.

OP posts:
cherryfizzpopbang · 22/09/2025 22:32

I always ask for them to "numb me before they numb me" and they are happy to. My teeth hurt for ages after a deep clean and they feel like they're going to fall out!

Bushmillsbabe · 22/09/2025 22:40

Is the dentist or hygienist doing the clean? I don't know if hygienists can do injections, but maybe ask for numbing gel.
I find cleaning really uncomfortable too, luckily I have a great nhs dentist who does a good clean when I'm numb for fillings.

TheChosenTwo · 22/09/2025 22:43

I’ve never been told to go to the hygienist for a deep clean (and I’ve had plenty of teeth issues! I guess the shape and positioning of them are okay enough to not have required it before?) but Dh gets told he needs to book in inbetween every checkup. He’s quite tough but he always says it’s quite uncomfortable- what do they actually do that causes pain?
Are they scraping the surface?
Eek, hope I never get sent!

Trimphones · 22/09/2025 23:51

@TheChosenTwo it's, the coldness of the liquid they squirt on initially, it's like an intense electric shock, and really unbearable, I'm not that squeamish with pain normally, when I fell over and ripped my foot open to the bone I wrapped it in a towel and I called a taxi to the local out of hours walk in centre, and waited ages before they saw me without any pain relief,😂 it's just that this pain is excruciating, and there's no need for it! It doesn't help that it's a different person every time you go, so there's no consistency.
My husband is also not squeamish, but vowed off dentists for years because he'd been given a deep clean without pain relief, and said never again, it's a horrid really sharp intense pain, I've had a horrible migraine off the back of it tonight too, god I sound a right moaning cow, but I was so mad 😂

OP posts:
EmiliaBassano · 22/09/2025 23:53

Bushmillsbabe · 22/09/2025 22:40

Is the dentist or hygienist doing the clean? I don't know if hygienists can do injections, but maybe ask for numbing gel.
I find cleaning really uncomfortable too, luckily I have a great nhs dentist who does a good clean when I'm numb for fillings.

Edited

They can, I have had one. I felt like I had had extensive lip filler afterwards though for the whole afternoon and I couldn't find my mouth to drink.

OhJesusChristFenton · 22/09/2025 23:59

I have a dental phobia after an excruciating deep clean once. I didn't go for years which lead to periodontal disease and - you guessed it - a need for regular deep cleans. I ended up going private and my dentist offered sedation for a deep clean. Now I'm back with the good old NHS having run out of money and have numbing gel instead. It's a decent compromise and I can cope.

MissPoor · 23/09/2025 00:07

I really struggle with this too, it certainly doesn’t fix the whole thing but I ask them to use warmer water, I don’t know exactly how they do it but they say they’ll ’run it through’ and then it’s at least lukewarm which helps a bit. I hate it, so solidarity OP!

HateThese4Leggedbeasts · 23/09/2025 00:11

I go every 3 months so the build up isn't as bad. The first time post COVID was appalling and the hygienist had to give me multiple injections to get through it.

Since then I find the numbing gel enough. I don't even like the air suction thing. The noise screeching adds to the stress of it all too.

Shakemesexy · 23/09/2025 00:11

Perhaps use less misogynistic language

MissPoor · 23/09/2025 04:22

Shakemesexy · 23/09/2025 00:11

Perhaps use less misogynistic language

Any tips for the dental pain?

stillhiding1990 · 23/09/2025 04:39

I hate the deep clean too and brace in chair for sensitive teeth. It’s over in a few mins though, I have never shouted at the dentist or made a fuss, just closed my eyes. I wouldn’t say it’s pain though it’s just nerves being sensitive to water?

MissPoor · 23/09/2025 04:54

stillhiding1990 · 23/09/2025 04:39

I hate the deep clean too and brace in chair for sensitive teeth. It’s over in a few mins though, I have never shouted at the dentist or made a fuss, just closed my eyes. I wouldn’t say it’s pain though it’s just nerves being sensitive to water?

It’s definitely pain for me - exposed roots which are quite common.

stillhiding1990 · 23/09/2025 04:55

Well maybe it is pain but 10 seconds max and then they move on so I don’t want to stop the process and just countdown in my head

Pamspeople · 23/09/2025 05:00

My hygienist always offers an injection to numb me up, seems standard at our place if you want it. Didn't realise how lucky I am! There's no way I'd do it without, I'm far too sensitive and frit! I don't blame you for losing your temper, I'd be furious.

Lifesyoungdream · 23/09/2025 05:13

I visited the hygienist every three months and have very sensitive teeth so find it very painful to have my teeth cleaned. My appointments now are made so I come in twenty minutes before my treatment to have local an anaesthetic injection.
This gives it time to numb the area before the treatment.
i think you really need to speak to your hygienist before treatment and explain how you feel.

angelspike2025 · 23/09/2025 08:18

I have any cleaning done by hand, no water as I can’t tolerate it. Hygienist is happy to do it

BadgernTheGarden · 23/09/2025 08:26

TheChosenTwo · 22/09/2025 22:43

I’ve never been told to go to the hygienist for a deep clean (and I’ve had plenty of teeth issues! I guess the shape and positioning of them are okay enough to not have required it before?) but Dh gets told he needs to book in inbetween every checkup. He’s quite tough but he always says it’s quite uncomfortable- what do they actually do that causes pain?
Are they scraping the surface?
Eek, hope I never get sent!

If it's a proper deep clean they go below the gum line to get the gums to re-attach to the teeth (sounds counter intuitive!). It takes a long time and would be pretty painful without anaesthesia, I think mine did do injections for that and I couldn't feel my mouth for hours afterwards. It's usually done if you are getting receding gums due to tartar build up right at the base of the teeth where a normal clean can't reach.

CMOTDibbler · 23/09/2025 08:33

I'm with you. I get through hygenist treatments OK, but they are unpleasant. When they said I needed pocket flushes it sounded awful, but the dental therapist did gel and then injections and it was so painless and easy that I'd much rather do it that way

DemonsRocks · 23/09/2025 08:36

I had mine last week, it was awful. My knees were up, fists clenched, sweating. When he was nearly done he said for an extra £30 he could use an 'air cleaner' instead, something that blasts air I presume. But if they have something that would be easier why don't they use it anyway?

I didn't know about the numbing cream, so I'll get that next time. That's if I can ever brave it again.

pinkdelight · 23/09/2025 08:36

If you’re going private and paying enough for a longer appointment, fair enough. If you want extra on the bog standard service, then it’s potluck if they’ll do it. There’s places around that make ‘gentle’ dentistry their specialty, which acknowledges that’s not the standard and is what you need if you’re so sensitive. Otherwise dentistry often does get grim even just for a clean. You can offer to pay more rather than kicking off and slagging her. I find wearing headphones/listening to music helps and our dentist have now put TVs on the ceilings to help distract anxious patients.

GentleSheep · 23/09/2025 08:39

TheChosenTwo · 22/09/2025 22:43

I’ve never been told to go to the hygienist for a deep clean (and I’ve had plenty of teeth issues! I guess the shape and positioning of them are okay enough to not have required it before?) but Dh gets told he needs to book in inbetween every checkup. He’s quite tough but he always says it’s quite uncomfortable- what do they actually do that causes pain?
Are they scraping the surface?
Eek, hope I never get sent!

It has something to do with the type of bacteria you have. Some people get a lot of gum problems and require this type of deep clean - my DP is a good example, and btw he is always given a jab beforehand. Other people don't get much in the way of gum issues (like me) but do have tooth issues with caries (like me!). So it's swings and roundabouts.

abracadabra1980 · 23/09/2025 08:46

I’ve never had one either and always wondered why. Never seen a hygienist in my life. What are caries please? (or is that a typo for cavities)?!