Dental hygienist - is this normal??

[HappyMum123456]

I have a private dental plan and I moved to a new practice around 2 or 3 years ago, only because my dentist of many decades was retiring and the new one is more convenient.

I often require fillings and other treatment which is all covered in the (very expensive) plan.

My issue is with the 6 monthly hygienist appointments (which are separate to my normal checkups with my dentist). I expected this would be for a regular scale and polish. But no....these appointments are truly horrific and humiliating. She starts by measuring my plaque and bleeding score and compares this to my previous readings. I'm quizzed on my use of a "bottle brush" and expected to explain myself and my dental hygiene habits. If that wasn't bad enough, I then have the humiliation of having to sign a contract/treatment plan to promise I'll do better for next time.

Is this normal?? I had nothing like this with my previous dentist. They just advised where I needed to focus my brushing etc. Today she was especially brutal with my teeth and gums once she'd established my bleeding/plaque scores were worse than last time. She demanded to know why this had happened.

I'd change dentists if it was simple - but last time I moved I needed a load of treatment to get some kind of dental fitness certificate.

I realise this probably makes me sound like I have dreadful teeth (I really don't) and that I'm a complete lightweight (I'm not). I just wondered if this was normal. I very nearly cried during my appointment today and my mouth still feels so sore and bruised.

I absolutely detested going to the hygienist but put up with it as it was only twice a year. Then my usual hygienist was off sick so I saw her colleague instead and the difference was like night and day! I mentioned at reception desk that I preferred the technique of the colleague and would it be possible to have my appointments with her in future.

Last time I went it was a new person, a bloke who must have gone to the same charm school as the original hygienist and I'm already putting off my next visit.

She sounds like a right witch. My hygienists are lovely and give me feedback in a positive way.

Mine is a bit like this, she is kind but pretty judgy & makes me feel a bit gross, even though the dentist says my oral hygiene is fine. I now just say that the reading out bit makes me feel very anxious (it does, I lay there listening in case any of the number have gone up) so I am going to wear headphones and listen to music then take the dressing down at then end.

Mine isn’t rough though!

I'd rather have a filling than face the ritual humiliation and sadistic hands of the hygienist!

I had a lovely one for years, she'd drop casual tips into conversation about how to brush well, like "imagine you're brushing your gums" and "for this corner try holding the brush in the other hand cos it's a bit grubby back there" etc. Really useful and I still follow her suggestions now - always came out with lovely smooth shiny teeth and very little soreness.

But I moved away and since then all of the ones I've seen saw into your gums to see how much you bleed and give you an excessively long lecture, then use some instrument of torture to sandblast your teeth. Come out weeping looking like the Joker.

Agree the signing a doc is weird but the how are you brushing when are you flossing
let me show you is all normal…

but multiple fillings and dental work are also really NOT normal

I got the blue-dye treatment yesterday and I got the impression the hygienist was a bit disappointed it did not show up more defects in my tooth brushing. She does have a much nicer manner than yours though so generally I take on board (mostly) her advice. I would swop to another practice as there are a lot nicer hygienists out there.

By the way, OP, if you can get and regularly use a Waterpik or similar, that can help with dental hygiene.

Oh I had a dental hygienist like this, I want the old one back who was very kind about my teeth.

I actually have anxiety since visiting this one last time!

I dislike the hygienist appointments as the cold water they use to blast away the debris is painful on my teeth. Apparently there is no way of warming this water up before they use it- I've asked.

I've accepted anaesthetic before to get through it but I feel rather "got at" all day after an appointment. Plus the anaesthetic is only used on one part of my mouth and it's all of my teeth that are affected by the cold.

Is it correct there is a) an anaesthetic gel that can be used on the whole of the mouth and b) a cleaning method that is dry and uses powder rather than water?

I'd pay very good money for both of those

With denplan you do have to have a dental fit thing before you change dentist (I'm in the process now)

My hygienist is really lovely and they do my teeth by hand as I can't cope with the jet wash thing! No water used

I'm pretty shocked that there are dental professionals defending this kind of behaviour.

Humiliating grown adults and telling them off like naughty school children is an appalling way to behave.

You can get your point across without making someone feel like they're about an inch tall.

@OccultGnuNew mine are done by hand so scrape and then brush. No water as I can't tolerate it

but multiple fillings and dental work are also really NOT normal

Unfortunately some people really do just have bad teeth, no matter how much they brush and visit a dentist.

Genetics, hormones, pregnancy and a multitude of other issues can cause dental problems - the assumption that it's solely down to bad hygiene isn't always correct.

There was a thread recently about children with bad teeth and someone mentioned a condition where you have weak enamel - and unfortunately, no amount of brushing or flossing or eating the right foods would prevent you from from tooth decay.

I don't have Denplan and have not had the bleeding score stuff, but I have had rough hygienists in the past.

Is there only one hygienist at the practice? At the practices I've been to they usually have several because they tend to be part time. I find one I like and always ask for her.

I pay out of pocket for 6 monthly hygienist appts so I don't have the same issues around certification but they do grade the gum health every time (as does my dentist). I've had a couple of hygienists over the years and some are definitely more 'stick' than 'carrot' in their approach. My current one favours the positive reinforcement approach (carrot) which works for me. I'm happy to be told where I'm going wrong and advised on a better route but being rude, rough and abrupt with patients rarely works.

I agree with those suggesting a letter or email to the practice manager to discuss your concerns.

I have a very small mouth and gum recession and the 6 monthly hygeine appointments used to be agony. I had a very rough hygeinist who then used to give up as it ended with me crying and gagging. After almost losing a tooth and having an intensive clean at the dental hospital under anaesthetic I switched dentist, upped my plan so I have hygeine appointments every 3 months. They numb my mouth so all I have to cope with is a sharp scratch.

Definitely change hygeinist if you can.

I had a lovely hygienist many years ago, she was very gentle and considerate. Then she left and I got a dragon as a replacement. Quite rough and snippy with it. I wouldn't go back to her after that. Then Covid intervened. So after around 4 years gap went back to my dentist who also checked my gums and said they had improved (much to my surprise)! What toothpaste was I using (not one with fluoride!), did I brush very often with tepe brushes (nope!) - poor man was trying to figure out why they were better, in the end I just let him think I had a really great brushing technique (I really don't). Sometimes gums just get worse or better without one knowing why!

My DP has to have a hygienist appointment every 3 months to keep on top of his gums - he has no dental decay, and doesn't scoff a lot of carbs like I do, but yet he has a lot of problems. Genetics, I presume. I recently had other dental work done under sedation and the dentist cleaned my teeth at the same time - they looked so much better than when the dragon did them! 😅

I do think hygienists should be kind and considerate, whilst being professional. Scolding people never helps! How do they know what other things are going on in one's life? Maybe flossing isn't one's number one concern!

Thank you all so much for your replies.

My gums aren’t as sore today and I’m feeling better in myself.

Your comments are so reassuring. Her manner is really not ok.

I think I’ll speak to my dentist at my next appointment to see if there’s an option for the dentist to do the scale and polish etc.

The information on hormones and perimenopause is also really helpful. I’d never considered this before.

I’ve just been looking at Waterpiks as PP recommended. If anyone has any other suggestions please share.

Thanks again everyone!

You're better with tepe/bottle brushes than a water pick if you can
I use them daily and it's really quick once you get in the habit, mostly do mine watching TV!

I have had many dental hygienists and always get this. The scores are for pocket depth on the gums. Ideally you shouldn’t have any. I do.

My dental hygienist was a bit like this. I am 52 and have no fillings yet I left the dentist’s feeling ashamed and embarrassed every single time. Find another hygienist! X

this!

waterpiks are better than nothing but not as good as floss or interdental brushes @HappyMum123456, as you need the physical/mechanical action of the debris/food being brushed off the surface. High pressure water flushing it out will help but it won't get the last sticky bits out and anything left will give bacteria a food source and increase your risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

I have a hygienist visit 3 times a year as part of my plan. She is thorough and does start with the prick the gum test . There is a reason for it. It's not pleasant but it has to be done. It's not painful as such. I'm on blood thinners and there is not masses of blood. I usually get toothpaste and free interdental sticks from her.
If you feel like this about someone you should really say to them " look I do feel uncomfortable with how these sessions go. I feel as if I am ......whatever" Any decent professional will take this on board. If they don't then you move to another one. It's your health.