Dental hygienist - how often?

[DamnCommandments]

Do you go to the hygienist? How often? I just had two intensive cleanings (one on the left; one on the right) and the hygenist suggested another (both sides together) in five months. Is that normal? It's really painful!

Did you have the start of gum disease? Is that why you got an intensive clean? My own dentist will do a basic clean with a waterpick thing so don't see a separate hygienist

I went to one last year and was told I do a bang up job with my teeth, although I scrub a bit too hard and was advised to use an electric toothbrush! I had hardly any plaque and that was after years and years without a professional clean. I'm not planning on seeing someone again for the foreseeable future.

I do think oral health is as much down to genetics as it is habits/technique. I am not particularly tooth obsessed.

I have a basic scale and polish with a hygienist every 6 months at the same time as my checkup.

I go every 3 or 4 months.

I had gum disease and had root planing done and although I floss and use interdental brushes I still get plaque build up, but want to stay on top of it rather than risking the gum disease reoccurring.

What size are your pockets?

I see the hygienist every 6 months, and usually have some painkillers beforehand to take the edge off.

I go every six months with a check up. It doesn't hurt and it doesn't take long. It sounds like you had a considerable plaque build up, which can be prevented with good brushing and flossing and regular hygienist visits.

I've got one big pocket (7) and the rest are 3 or 4. I just find it hard to get my head around. I didn't have any symptoms of gum disease. And the treatment is so painful and causes such a lot of bleeding - it's hard to see how it can be good for the gums. I don't mind a bit of scale and polish, but this seems extreme.

Having said that, I want to keep my teeth!

4 times a year

My dentist likes me to go every 3 months and I too find it agony, I'd rather have a filling! Last time I got him to use local anaesthetic, 5 injections each side though so had to have 2 appointments!

6 months. I've left it longer than that and it always hurts like a motherfucker when I do, despite no issues at all with my teeth.

Ugh. Sounds like it's not just me then. I hate the sodding hygienist. And interdental brushes. Hate those too.

Floss is fine, but apparently out of favour.

I go every 3 months . I have had lifelong problems with my gums so I consider it an investment. Apparently I am very prone to excessive plaque build up #claimtofame.

Every 18 months. They don't have to do anything though as I'm pretty obsessive with flossing and brushing.

Twice a year. Really dislike it.