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Original poster

Scale and polish at the dentist's

15 replies

donna123 · 20/07/2009 08:46

I have always thought that my dentist was a bit over-enthusiastic when doing the S&C but didn't say anything because I thought 'they are the professional, they know what they are doing.'
One of my teeth hurts a bit so I was having a poke around and it looks like the dentist has polished so much that she has polished away the enamel! Other teeth are similar, with a groove by the gumline.
What will happen if I refuse a S&C next time? What can be done to restore the enamel?

OP posts:

Original poster

donna123 · 20/07/2009 20:30

bump

OP posts:

LovelyTinOfSpam · 20/07/2009 20:35

Um. maybe you need to go and see a differet dentist?

And if they have stripped your enamel off sue the pants off them?

There are dentists on MN maybe they will be along in a bit.

Original poster

donna123 · 20/07/2009 20:48

LovelyTinOfSpam you are indeed Lovely. Thank you for posting on my boring thread.

OP posts:

fluffles · 20/07/2009 20:53

my nhs dentist (yes, i know, i was lucky to have one) used to really really hurt me with the scale and polish. i'd get shooting pains at the time and then my teeth would be sensitive to sweet things for a week afterwards.

i blamed myself for somehow not being thorough enough with brushing

then i moved to a private dentist who scaled and polished beautifully with absolutely no pain at all!!!! it was a revelation! worth £40 any day

have you thought about changing dentist? is your usual one usually good?

Original poster

donna123 · 20/07/2009 20:58

I have been at this dentist practice forever, clinging on to my NHS registration. I have had this same dentist for quite a while now. I was thinking of being assertive and speaking to her about it at the next appt and, if that doesn't resolve it, ask to move to someone else in the Practice.

OP posts:

LovelyTinOfSpam · 20/07/2009 21:27

yo could ask around see if anyone could recommend another one/private one.

then go for one appointment and find out about enamal strippage.

your unfaithfullness won't get you struck off nhs list - if all is well you can go back. if not you have 2nd opinion from other practice.

do you pay for the cleaning side? on the nhs?

scienceteacher · 20/07/2009 21:48

I had a dental appt today and the hacker focussed on the gum margins. He didn't really do too much with the tooth surfaces. My gums are still tender, and I don't think I am up to flossing tonight.

Is it a while since you ahve been?

Original poster

donna123 · 20/07/2009 22:56

I pay for it through the NHS, about 6 pounds. I am quite regular: I think that is part of the problem. A vicious S&C every six months is wearing away my teeth.

fluffles: my dentist said that our saliva changes as we age and so we get more plaque. So the problem is not caused by us suddenly getting rubbish at brushing!

OP posts:

LovelyTinOfSpam · 20/07/2009 23:01

Donna if you can afford it I really think you should go to another dentist and tell them your concerns and see what they say.

And thinking about it i was called to see some people in finchley who were checking randomly on NHS dental patients to see treatment was good and appropriate. Will see if I can find who they are - they might be happy to have a look if you have concerns.

differentnameforthis · 21/07/2009 00:01

It would take very excessive polishing over a long time for the dentist to wear away your enamel.

The groove at the enamel is more likely down to your brushing over time. The pain may be because the dentine is exposed & the S&P aggrevated it.

Original poster

donna123 · 21/07/2009 09:01

So what's the solution - stop brushing my teeth?

I'm a bit sceptical about this. I brush my teeth all over: why should there be damage only at the site where, co-incidentally, the dentist does S&C.

THe teeth are 50 years old BTW (like the rest of me!).

OP posts:

sandcastles · 21/07/2009 09:20

Well no, don't stop brushing! The best way to brush is a circular motion, with a smallish soft brush. It is not unusual for this to happen to our teeth, it is called erosion & happens over time after years of brushing.

It can also be caused by acidic foods/drink. Wine, citrus fruit, soft drinks etc. Brushing straight after meals & said food/drink can make it happen quicker.

It happens at the base of the tooth, where it meets the gum as that is where the majority of the plaque sits & so weakens the enamel.

It CAN NOT happen when a dentist does a scale & polish, no matter how over-enthusiastic they appear to have been! I can pretty much promise you that!

sandcastles · 21/07/2009 09:32

Am differentname, btw.

Original poster

donna123 · 21/07/2009 09:34

But wouldn't brushing create a gradual wearing-down? I can feel a distinct 'ridge'. No not a ridge, a groove.

The main thing is - what can be done to repair the teeeth?

OP posts:

sandcastles · 21/07/2009 10:04

Dental brushing...no, not unless done everyday! It is more likely to be your diet/brushing technique/oral hygiene routine/age (sorry) that has caused it, not a S&P every few months at the dentist.

And yes, you can have it sealed or filled. We used to do sealing with a liquid that was set with a light if it was minor or a small filling if larger.

The pain may even subside, may have just been aggrevated because of the cleaning!

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