i went to a hygienist and gotten my teeth cleaned but i need another appointment and the hygienist said that..

Question

i went to a hygienist and she cleaned my teeth, but she said that was the primary cleaning and that i needed a secondary cleaning and i have another appointment with her and she said she's going to stick a needle in my gums. what's going to happen? i'm nervous.

Answer 1

I don't know of any dental professional who would say, "I'm going to stick a needle in your gums", for that matter even utter the word "needle".

If you have gum disease, a dental instrument can go in under the gumline to get out plaque, and help heal your tissue so the bacteria can be killed. If you don't do this, the gums receed more and more until your teeth can actually become loose.

It is a way for you to keep your teeth, so it's worth the time and money. No amount of brushing will take care of infections below the gumline. You'll want to be numb for this as it can be uncomfortable if you aren't.

Most hygienists are paid by the hour and are not trying to "milk" people for money. They make good wages whether your teeth are healthy or not. In fact, scaling and root planing are difficult procedures for the hygienist and there's no reason for them to want to do this if it isn't necessary.

A hygienist will make a recommendation, but in the US, it is the doctor who diagnoses gum disease and prescribes the treatment. (They will usually listen to their hygienist, though, because they trust them.)

Sounds like a lot of people think dentists only show up to work everyday to cheat people out of money and torture them. Funny, most of the ones I know are nice people.

Answer 2

I can't remember what it is called right off the top of my head, but it will be ok...It is a deep cleaning and sometimes, especially if you haven't been to the dentist in a long time there can be a lot of calculus build up and it is necessary to remove it all. But like I said before, don't worry, you will be fine.

Take care of your teeth, they are the only ones you have!

Answer 3

It's hard to say since you weren't specific about what's wrong with your teeth, but it could be you have a cavity or you might have a bad buildup of tartar... It could be a number of things, but that's all I can think of. The needle is to numb the area. Try not to be too nervous though. You'll be in and out of there in no time. =)

Answer 4

If they are doing some deep cleaning for plaque under the gums, it is a good idea to get a little novacaine. Makes it a breeze and wears off in an hour-hour and a half.

Answer 5

I don't understand this. I go for a cleaning and never had to go for a "secondary cleaning" and don't know what the needle is all about. Call and ask and ask all questions till it is clear with you.

Answer 6

when they stick a needle in your gums, its usually because you have a cavity. she wants to stick the needle in your gums to numb your gums and the nerves so when she drills for the cavity you wont feel a thing. the needle part does not hurt, just a little pinch. the drilling does not hurt either because your numb and can't feel it.

Answer 7

the needle is to numb you it hurts a little it feels like poking you gums hard. but you usually dont need to get numbed for cleaning.

Answer 8

Look at the deep cleaning section on this page...it sounds like that is what she is planning...did anyone ever mention that you might have periodontal disease?

Answer 9

I doubt she said, "I'm going to stick a needle in your gums" And IDK what's going to happen, because you didn't specify what is WRONG with your mouth. But I'm guessing it's to numb your mouth in some way.

Answer 10

That's novocane........i'm sure she refered to it as novocane,
not "I'm going to stick a needle in your gums".