Anyone else terrified of dental hygienist???

rocketqueen

Not asking for medical advice!

I know I need to go to see the dental hygientist - conformed by my gums and the dentist!

The problem Is I am TERRIFIED of the hygienist, I am also very scared of the dentist but have worked through my fears of them over the years.

Normally my dentist gives me a quick scale and polish as part of my check up so I haven't seen the hygientist for years, but I need a more thorough clean this time.

I am actually sweating at the thought of even phoning and making an appointment - that's how scared I am.

Is a trip to the hygientist still a horrible experience or has it improved with technical advances etc?

Toothsmith

Let her know how you feel.

She can also give local anaesthetic if you would feel better having that.

pogofish

Mine is ex-Aussie military, with all the brusque eccentricities that entails.

They know I hate the appointments and I don't hold back - So each time is 90% fits of laughter and 10% scraping. Works-out brilliantly!

ripplyuk

I'm terrified of anything to do with dental work. I wasn't always though. Thankfully I haven't needed to see a hygienist since I was old enough to look after my teeth myself and learnt to floss properly. I must be lucky because mine don't seem to build up any tartar.

When I was younger, I had them scaled and polished a few times and I don't remember it being in any way painful. I've heard that some people prefer to be numbed up for it so if you're worried you could ask them about that. A friend of mine sees the hygienist every 3 months and is fine about it even though she's nervous of any other dental work.

Since I've started drinking tea, I'm got some staining on a few bottom front teeth which seeing the hygienist would help with, but my dentist says it's just cosmetic so I haven't done anything yet. I will eventually though.

[Deleted User]

Aren't we all? It's just one of those things that has to be done. I just sit back and focus on happy things knowing that in less than half an hour I will be on my way home.

suki1964

Hey, ripply managed a dental appointment last week after getting themselves in a right state

And you can handle a hygienist appointment as well. As long as you tell them how feared you are and what things really upset you

I have hypersensitive teeth and a gag reflex so bad I'm often sick just brushing my teeth and I rely on the hygienist to keep my teeth and gums clean

Sometimes I'm fine and can sit through the appointment. Other times I have to get frozen to the hilt and spread the treatment over two appointments, other times I can't allow electic tools in my mouth at all and she has to do her best with hand tools


But it's all ok because she works with me, with what I can cope with which means I go back


They aren't there to hurt you, they are there to get your gums and teeth into good health. They are used to scared patients. But you need to talk to them honestly

selement

I don't like hygienist either, mostly because I had a very painful experience one time. I now warn them that I have sensitive teeth so leaving the cold air in my mouth is painful (bad experience the worst bit was the pain from cold air for ages) and that I'm a bit of a wuss about it, I think they try and be a little gentler because of this...

Murphybear

Oh no, just reminded myself I have an appointment with the hygienist tomorrow:(

My gums are a bit sensitive so I have been signed up for an anaesthetic. Last time I visited the hygienist was 3 years ago, it wasn't too bad, worth a bit of discomfort and I tell myself it is nothing compared to a total knee replacement:rotfl:

Just go for it, your teeth and gums will be clean and healthy and it will be worth it.

Tigsteroonie

I never have a problem when the dentist wants to do a quick scale and polish, he knows that I'm super-nervous and hate all dental work.

I had a hygienist appointment about two years ago, and ended up leaving halfway through. It was absolutely horrible, painful, and she was completely unsympathetic.

Murphybear

I have just had my appointment. She was lovely, couldn't have been nicer. She put some gel on my gums to numb them, then a tiny injection in each side. The scaling felt a bit odd, but didn't really hurt. Took a few hours for the anaesthetic to wear off.

Well worth the minor discomfort.

Another appointment in 2 weeks to do the other half:cool:

Alikay

I used to have local anaesthetic injections for a scale and polish, but a couple of years ago started to manage without as long as the hygienist uses hand tools to do the job rather than a machine, as I have a fear of the machine noises/vibrations.