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Dental advice please
Blue_Mermaid
Posts: 93 Forumite
I have had gum disease for about 15 years now. I went regularly (every 6 months) to a NHS dentist, who didn't seem to take my problem very seriously (at first anyway).
When I first noticed the bleeding, I used to tell him every time I went for a check up and he used to reply that my gums looked nice and pink, so I shouldn't worry. He did say my gums were receding but also said, I looked after my teeth well. I have always cleaned them thoroughly twice a day. In the wrong way as a child (brushing back and forth vigorously but corrected that as an adult) and he said this could have caused the gums to recede and become sensitive (they were even sensitive as a child. Could never bite into an ice lolly without pain for example).
My gums got worse as the years went by. He did a scale and polish at each checkup, suggested I use tepe interdental brushes and prescribed Corsydyl. I've been using the brushes twice a day ever since. Used the Corsydyl at the time but can't tolerate it for long (I know you're not supposed to use it for long anyway), as it makes my gums feel red raw, as if they've been cut. Looked bright red when I used it too.
The last time I saw him, he started talking about the pockets I had. He did a deep clean. He talked about a referral to a Periodontist but said I wouldn't be suitable for any of the treatments. He didn't say why. He also said the gum disease could be due to the excess acid in my stomach (I had stomach ulcers in the past). He always stressed that my actual teeth were very healthy. He said I wouldn't lose them, even with the gum disease.
In all that time, he never did any X-Rays or measured the pockets. Well, if he did measure them, he didn't tell me about it.
Then, 4 years ago, a member of my family had a very serious problem and helping them took over my life. I had no time or energy to do anything for myself for 2 years. My dad also passed away that year, after slipping into a coma after a stroke. Then my mum's health deteriorated and I became her sole carer. She needed 24 hour care. Again, I had no time or energy to do anything for myself.
So, I didn't go to the dentist in all that time and now my gums have got even worse. I was horrified to see in the mirror the other day, that 2 teeth have become loose. So much for not losing any teeth!
My mum is currently in a rehab hospital, so I'm not on 24 hour duty at the moment and when she comes home, we're going to get carers in to help.
I decided not to go back to my original dentist (don't know if I trust him to give me the best care) and contacted a couple of new ones by email, who both have visiting Periodontists. One replied straight away and the other hasn't replied yet.
I've swapped a few emails with the head of the practice. He suggested I see their hygienist first, as it would cost £400 just for the first appointment with the Periodontist. He said the hygienist would cost £80 for the first appointment.
My mum said she will pay for my treatment but I am worried about spending all that money when maybe I could get the treatment on the NHS.
I made an appointment with the hygienist next week. £80 for an hour. £40 deposit. The receptionist asked me which dentist I wanted to be under afterwards. I said the head one I had been emailing as I thought he would be the best but then I asked if there was a difference in price between the two. She said he was private but the other one would be NHS. I was surprised as I thought it was all private there. She said I had phoned at exactly the right time, as the dentist was currently taking on NHS patients. So, I said I'd go with the NHS one. Found out afterwards she only qualified in 2012, so not much experience. Receptionist said she was good but she would say that of course.
Anyway, the real reason for my post, is that I have a long term illness as well and I always worry I will have to cancel appointments on the day. On a bad day, I can't leave the house (you'll be wondering how on earth I care for my mum then. It's been absolutely exhausting and my own health has deteriorated but she nursed me through the worst of my illness, so I wanted to do the same for her. As well as loving her to bits. Can't do it on my own anymore though).
So, any appointments I make, I always tell them about my illness and the risk of cancellation on the day and so far, people have been understanding about it and say it's ok if I have to cancel and I've never been charged a fee on the odd occasion that I have had to cancel.
I did the same thing with the dental receptionist. Told her about my illness and asked what would happen if I needed to cancel on the day of hygienist appointment. She said there would normally be a fee to pay if it was on day of appointment but she would put a note on computer. She also asked that I emailed the head dentist again, to discuss this with him.
I did so but he said because of the length of the appointment (1 hour), they would need 48 hours notice of cancellation, otherwise I would have to pay the full £80. He said they have to pay the hygienist as well as surgery costs. I can fully understand this but at the same time, because I have no income, (don't even claim carers allowance yet. My mum supports me financially for caring for her), I haven't got £80 to throw away either, (technically, it would be my mum paying for it but I don't want her to lose £80 either because of me. Then there's any future appointments to worry about. What if I have to see the Periodontist?).
I've been reading a lot of threads that say patients are entitled to treatment on the NHS if it is needed. Should I ask if the NHS dentist the receptionist has put me with could do the treatment, rather than the hygienist? At least we wouldn't lose as much money if I did have to cancel the appointment.
At the same time though, the treatment might not be as good.
Any advice please on the best thing to do? I know there a few dentists here...
Sorry for such a long post!
Many thanks.
PS Have just come back to edit. Not sure if original dentist said gum disease could be due to excess acid in my stomach or if it was the staining I have that he was talking about. The staining is another story (he always said it was typical childhood Tetracycline staining before. I never understood that, as my second teeth came through white. Staining didn't appear until I was in my early 20's). I hate my teeth! Wore a brace as a teenager but they've moved since. So, I have stained, crooked teeth, receding gums and disease. What a lovely sight! I hate smiling in public. Always think people are looking at my teeth and thinking how awful they look
When I first noticed the bleeding, I used to tell him every time I went for a check up and he used to reply that my gums looked nice and pink, so I shouldn't worry. He did say my gums were receding but also said, I looked after my teeth well. I have always cleaned them thoroughly twice a day. In the wrong way as a child (brushing back and forth vigorously but corrected that as an adult) and he said this could have caused the gums to recede and become sensitive (they were even sensitive as a child. Could never bite into an ice lolly without pain for example).
My gums got worse as the years went by. He did a scale and polish at each checkup, suggested I use tepe interdental brushes and prescribed Corsydyl. I've been using the brushes twice a day ever since. Used the Corsydyl at the time but can't tolerate it for long (I know you're not supposed to use it for long anyway), as it makes my gums feel red raw, as if they've been cut. Looked bright red when I used it too.
The last time I saw him, he started talking about the pockets I had. He did a deep clean. He talked about a referral to a Periodontist but said I wouldn't be suitable for any of the treatments. He didn't say why. He also said the gum disease could be due to the excess acid in my stomach (I had stomach ulcers in the past). He always stressed that my actual teeth were very healthy. He said I wouldn't lose them, even with the gum disease.
In all that time, he never did any X-Rays or measured the pockets. Well, if he did measure them, he didn't tell me about it.
Then, 4 years ago, a member of my family had a very serious problem and helping them took over my life. I had no time or energy to do anything for myself for 2 years. My dad also passed away that year, after slipping into a coma after a stroke. Then my mum's health deteriorated and I became her sole carer. She needed 24 hour care. Again, I had no time or energy to do anything for myself.
So, I didn't go to the dentist in all that time and now my gums have got even worse. I was horrified to see in the mirror the other day, that 2 teeth have become loose. So much for not losing any teeth!
My mum is currently in a rehab hospital, so I'm not on 24 hour duty at the moment and when she comes home, we're going to get carers in to help.
I decided not to go back to my original dentist (don't know if I trust him to give me the best care) and contacted a couple of new ones by email, who both have visiting Periodontists. One replied straight away and the other hasn't replied yet.
I've swapped a few emails with the head of the practice. He suggested I see their hygienist first, as it would cost £400 just for the first appointment with the Periodontist. He said the hygienist would cost £80 for the first appointment.
My mum said she will pay for my treatment but I am worried about spending all that money when maybe I could get the treatment on the NHS.
I made an appointment with the hygienist next week. £80 for an hour. £40 deposit. The receptionist asked me which dentist I wanted to be under afterwards. I said the head one I had been emailing as I thought he would be the best but then I asked if there was a difference in price between the two. She said he was private but the other one would be NHS. I was surprised as I thought it was all private there. She said I had phoned at exactly the right time, as the dentist was currently taking on NHS patients. So, I said I'd go with the NHS one. Found out afterwards she only qualified in 2012, so not much experience. Receptionist said she was good but she would say that of course.
Anyway, the real reason for my post, is that I have a long term illness as well and I always worry I will have to cancel appointments on the day. On a bad day, I can't leave the house (you'll be wondering how on earth I care for my mum then. It's been absolutely exhausting and my own health has deteriorated but she nursed me through the worst of my illness, so I wanted to do the same for her. As well as loving her to bits. Can't do it on my own anymore though).
So, any appointments I make, I always tell them about my illness and the risk of cancellation on the day and so far, people have been understanding about it and say it's ok if I have to cancel and I've never been charged a fee on the odd occasion that I have had to cancel.
I did the same thing with the dental receptionist. Told her about my illness and asked what would happen if I needed to cancel on the day of hygienist appointment. She said there would normally be a fee to pay if it was on day of appointment but she would put a note on computer. She also asked that I emailed the head dentist again, to discuss this with him.
I did so but he said because of the length of the appointment (1 hour), they would need 48 hours notice of cancellation, otherwise I would have to pay the full £80. He said they have to pay the hygienist as well as surgery costs. I can fully understand this but at the same time, because I have no income, (don't even claim carers allowance yet. My mum supports me financially for caring for her), I haven't got £80 to throw away either, (technically, it would be my mum paying for it but I don't want her to lose £80 either because of me. Then there's any future appointments to worry about. What if I have to see the Periodontist?).
I've been reading a lot of threads that say patients are entitled to treatment on the NHS if it is needed. Should I ask if the NHS dentist the receptionist has put me with could do the treatment, rather than the hygienist? At least we wouldn't lose as much money if I did have to cancel the appointment.
At the same time though, the treatment might not be as good.
Any advice please on the best thing to do? I know there a few dentists here...
Sorry for such a long post!
Many thanks.
PS Have just come back to edit. Not sure if original dentist said gum disease could be due to excess acid in my stomach or if it was the staining I have that he was talking about. The staining is another story (he always said it was typical childhood Tetracycline staining before. I never understood that, as my second teeth came through white. Staining didn't appear until I was in my early 20's). I hate my teeth! Wore a brace as a teenager but they've moved since. So, I have stained, crooked teeth, receding gums and disease. What a lovely sight! I hate smiling in public. Always think people are looking at my teeth and thinking how awful they look
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Comments
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An NHS patient is entitled to all necessary treatment on the NHS.
But that can be the easiest, most cost effective way of getting you dentally fit.
That could be as simple as the two wobbly teeth out, and telling you to brush your teeth better!
Obviously - I can't see you, so have no idea how extensive things could be.
My feeling though, is that you should go to someone who could offer you a complete package of care.How to find a dentist.
1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.0 -
I second toothsmiths view. I wouldnt however be concerned that the dentist qualified in 2012. Some of the best and most compasionate dentists I know are recent graduates. If they felt treatment would be beyond their skills they would refer and the actual management of periodontal disease, certainly in the early stages, is a well known approach that we all know about from a very early stage of training. To put it this way, most dental students I know start learning about and treating periodontal problems around year 2 of the course so thats 4 years worth of experience before they leave. Add on the exponential improvements after qualifying thats 7 years which to me isnt inexperienced.0
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Thanks very much to both of you for your replies. I really appreciate it.
It's good to know that I have nothing to fear from the dentist only graduating a few years ago.
I still can't decide what to do though! When you advise, I should see someone who can give me a whole package of care, do you mean the NHS dentist, rather than the hygienist?0 -
I've just read your replies again and I think you are both saying that your feeling is I should ask to see the NHS dentist, instead of the hygienist. Could you confirm that's what you meant please?
Many thanks.0 -
Blue_Mermaid wrote: »I've just read your replies again and I think you are both saying that your feeling is I should ask to see the NHS dentist, instead of the hygienist. Could you confirm that's what you meant please?
Many thanks.
No - I was suggesting the private place might have a better range of options, and be better able to actually treat your problems.
Incidentally, stomach acid can cause erosion, and decay - but not really gum disease.How to find a dentist.
1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.0 -
It's the same practice. I thought it was all private but when I phoned to make the appointment with the hygienist, I was told one of the dentists is currently taking on some NHS patients. The other dentist in the practice is private only (the head dentist I was emailing) and so is the hygienist and periodontist. I opted to be under the NHS dentist, for financial reasons. It's all in my original post but I wouldn't blame you if you didn't read it all or take it all in, as it was so long!0
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I haven't cancelled the appointment with the hygienist so far. I have no other appointment and I'm still not sure what you're advising, apart from I might get better treatment privately. The hygienist is private but obviously, she's not a dentist.0
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You will get better treatment from hygienist.The word "dilemma" comes from Greek where "di" means two and "lemma" means premise. Refers usually to difficult choice between two undesirable options.
Often people seem to use this word mistakenly where "quandary" would fit better.0 -
Blue_Mermaid wrote: »So, I said I'd go with the NHS one. Found out afterwards she only qualified in 2012, so not much experience.
On the other hand, should be up to date with the latest techniques and equipment.A kind word lasts a minute, a skelped erse is sair for a day.0 -
I'd also suggest IMHO you may have an iron deficiency so taking multi-vitamins with iron wouldn't do any harm and might just help.“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can never live long enough to make them all yourself.”
― Groucho Marx0
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