Is getting a scale and polish at the dentist really needed every 6 months?

joedenise

My dentist does a scale and polish when I go for my check up.

I've found if I use Sensodyne for a couple of weeks before my check up the pain is much less. My dentist had suggested I use it all the time but it's just far too expensive.

Denise

brook2jack

Don't use sensitive as a toothpaste. Brush your teeth with a normal paste then last thing at night rub it into the affected teeth and don't rinse out. That way it builds up a layer on the teeth and is more effective. Otherwise you are just spitting it down the sink where it does no good.

nyc_451

Kayalana99 wrote: »

I was just sitting thier thinking what a waste of time....?! I clean my teeth once a day at night...so I'm probally not going to have zero fillings by time I'm 90 but at least I didn't spend my whole life obsessing about my teeth!

I started brushing my teeth after every meal/sweet drink few months ago. It's not a waste of time for me and I don't feel obsessed, simply spare a minute for that when washing up after the meal. The feeling is so good when your mouth is clean all the time, not planning to back...

adouglasmhor

:money:

blue_mango wrote: »

I started brushing my teeth after every meal/sweet drink few months ago. It's not a waste of time for me and I don't feel obsessed, simply spare a minute for that when washing up after the meal. The feeling is so good when your mouth is clean all the time, not planning to back...

According to NHS dentists it's not good for your teeth though.
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/dentalhealth/Pages/Teethcleaningguide.aspx

nyc_451

adouglasmhor wrote: »

:money:

According to NHS dentists it's not good for your teeth though.
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/dentalhealth/Pages/Teethcleaningguide.aspx

It only says to wait some time after meal before brushing teeth, which I am trying to do. You can even feel that it's not good for the teeth if you try to brush after eating apples, for example, as it hurts a bit.

brook2jack

You shouldn't brush your teeth more than twice a day unless your dentist has advised you to, as it can easily wear tooth and gum away. You should leave it an hour after eating or drinking anything acid.

Also be aware that if you are consuming alot of sweet drinks outside of meal Times, brushing your teeth will do very little to prevent decay. It's the number of times a day you eat or drink sugary stuff that causes problems, the numbers of times a day makes no difference if it's more than twice a day (with fluoride toothpaste) .

mystra

i only go to the hygienist once a year, because I get Denplan cover through work but it only really covers the cost of one visit per year. If i didn't have Denplan i wouldn't bother at all! The only people ever overly concerned about the look of my teeth are dentists because they can make a fortune from me lol. I have a slight chip in my front tooth from years back - not even noticeable and causes me no discomfort or issue, and the dentist freaked out about how i should fix it for the perfect smile, how rude - my smile is perfect as it is thank you!! (I do have nice teeth by the way, it would be hilarious if i was saying all this and i had terrible teeth XD) I told them to stick it

The health of your teeth is important but i'm sure if you look after them and brush/floss etc they are not all going to randomly drop out and your gum set on fire from not going to the hygienist for a scale and polish every 6 months.

nyc_451

brook2jack wrote: »

You shouldn't brush your teeth more than twice a day unless your dentist has advised you to, as it can easily wear tooth and gum away. You should leave it an hour after eating or drinking anything acid.

My teeth are all ruined anyway, not even one completely healthy, so I honestly don't think that brushing after meals would do any worse. I will have full cosmetic bonding after a year or so, which will ruin them even more.

But thank you for advice.

Toothsmith

blue_mango wrote: »

My teeth are all ruined anyway, not even one completely healthy, so I honestly don't think that brushing after meals would do any worse. I will have full cosmetic bonding after a year or so, which will ruin them even more.

But thank you for advice.

I sometimes wonder why, when looking at a carton of milk, it says on the label "Warning - contains milk" or a jar of peanut butter says "Allergy Warning - Contains Peanuts".....

Then, I read posts like that one!

roddydogs

brook2jack wrote: »

If you clean your teeth well and use floss you will never need a scale and polish. Tartar is plaque that has not been removed for at least 72 hours .

Tartar is the result of inadequate cleaning. Inadequate cleaning can also lead to gum disease.

In Scotland and NI there is no three bands of treatment, just individual charges including for scale and polish.

Absolute Rubbish, it all depends on the individual, I do all that cleaning & flossing & still get a buid up of tartar especially on the front lower teeth.
Some are lucky, & some anrt, just like any health problem.