Several dental questions - help required?

Question

Hi,

I've just been to the dentist for a tooth scale and polish. However, I've noticed there are still bits of tartar left behind and in front of some of my teeth? Has my dentist been lazy/incompetent?

How much tartar needs to be built up before it causes problems?

For the past two years I've been having on/off problems with gum inflammation/bleeding. The past couple of weeks has been one of those times. I got the scaling done yesterday and there are small, what I believe are referred to as 'pockets' in the gumline below some of my teeth, where the tartar used to be. Will the bits of tartar that are left stop my gums healing?

Unfortunately, I can't treat my gum inflammation with corsodyl because it has started causing blisters on my tongue, and the skin at the top of my gums to become sore. Is their an alternative? When I asked my dentist she just told me to floss and use listerine. (Listerine = prevention, I need a cure).

Please advise.

Craig

SNUTTERTON - Yup, I do use floss and I never realised a dental hygienist was not the same as a dentist but I shall check that out, thanks.

JED SLADE - I use listerine twice a day but still get the build up. I forgot about the salt water though for gums, thanks for the reminder!

FIREGLO - I've seen 3 different dentists over the past 2 years and I get them tiny pockets always after scaling yet not one of them has commented on them. Could it be I'm not at the stage you suggested?

CORNYGINGER - Great info thanks. Yeah I got charged for the cleaning but I have to go back for a filling anyway so it wouldn't change the price. I got back Monday so I'll mention the tartar then.
My tartar build up is always small btw, I don't have bad teeth, it's just I know even small amounts cause problems. My gums only bleed sometimes, after flossing, not brushing.

DR. ALBERT - Will do, many thanks.

HAIRDO - Yeah, maybe NHS practices just have dentists? Time to go private :-D

Answer 1

CRAIG,
I CONCUR WITH THE INFORMATION ON SOME OF THE POSTS. YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY REMAINING TARTAR, AKA CALCULUS, AFTER A COMPLETE SCALING AND POLISH.
I WOULD RETURN AND SPEAK TO THIS DENTIST DIRECTLY AND INSIST THE CLEANING BE REPEATED GRATIS- THIS TIME BY A HYGIENIST.
A DENTIST DOESN'T HAVE THE PRACTICE AT HYGIENE THAT A HYGIENIST DOES. AFTER ALL, THAT'S ALL THEY DO.

Answer 2

hi craig

normally when i go to the dentist i see the hygienist for the cleaning part - she does a really thorough clean and it costs me about £45 and takes about 45 minutes

when she is finished my teeth are literally glistening and there is no a stain or bit or tartar anywhere on my teeth - they are scrupulously clean

now if the dentist cleaned your teeth within the regular appointment he has probably only just been able to get a bit off - he probably wouldn't have had time to do a thorough clean

did he charge you for a clean? if he did i would suggest you getting in touch with the dentists and saying you are not happy and that there is still some tartar on your teeth
and asking him to redo them

if he did not it would definitely be worth you making an appointment with a hygienist

you need to get rid of the tartar and then keep it down ordinary brushing will not get rid of it once it is there

the gum bleeding is the beginning of gingivitis which can be quite serious if it is left and even damage your teeth permanently

it's where the teeth are not being cleaned properly on the edge of the tooth/gum you also need to make sure you floss regularly

to be honest reading your question again it sounds as though your dentist is not that great she should have been able to explain things a bit more thoroughly to you

try and get this sorted out asap and start with seeing a hygienist and then developing a really good cleaning system

if you get them nice and clean you will have the incentive to brush and floss really thoroughly

oh and also it is really worth investing in a philips sonicare toothbrush they are amazing - your teeth will never have felt so clean they are expensive but worth every penny

good luck with it all

Answer 3

First of all, listerine isn't good for you...
Flossing is VERY important, more important than brushing is.
If you floss twice a day for a week, you'll notice the bleeding will stop and your gums will start being less puffy and red.

Regarding the pocket depths, well, you'll need some root planing. In other words, a hygienist will have to go down in there and get it out. Don't worry she'll numb you up first. This will heal the pocket depths. They should be no more than a 2 or 3. (probe readings)

Your dentist shouldn't be cleaning your teeth at all. Your hygenist should. She should use a Cavitron to get all the Calculus build up, then root plane in the pockets. This will help heal any gingivitis or periodontal disease that has progressed.

Hope that helps!
remember to floss.

Answer 4

I would go back to the dentist and ask for all the tartar to be removed.

If you have infection in the gums, i.e. gingivitis then you may need a course of antibiotics to clear it and then use something like Listerine to keep it away. Talk to your dentist about it. If you are not satisfied with what your dentist tells you, you can go to your GP and he can either prescribe you antibiotics or he can refer you to the dental surgeon at your local hospital.

Have you tried Corsodyl gel?? You use this like a toothpaste, it doesn't seem to be quite as spiteful as the mouthwash - although it does taste just as bad!!!

Answer 5

You need to see a dental hygienist. The dentist only gives a basic clean and polish, not a complete going over. A dental hygienist takes about 30 minutes to get all the crud off. It costs about £40.
Yes, you do need to floss, and you need to use a special mouthwash such as Colgate Peroxyl which will deal with the minor inflammation issue.

Answer 6

You should see an oral surgeon to have them taken out. They can put you to sleep so you won't have to worry about the pain. Since your teeth are broken that far down an oral surgeon can get them out much quicker than a general dentist because he has more experience with these kind of cases. You will have some discomfort after the procedure but they will give you some pain meds to help you deal with the pain. The tooth that has been bothering you is infected so you really need to have it extracted. It is not good for your body to have an infection like that. The pain will only get worse if you don't have it extracted. Good Luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 7

Hi Craig

Go back if you are unhappy. I must mention though, many answers on here are about hygenists. My dentist also does scaling and polishing. I have never been referred to a hygenist. Sounds like we are in the minority!

By the way, Corsodyl stains your teeth too!

Answer 8

firstly I'd return to the dentist & explain my concerns & ask that the remaining build up be removed ... also ask wether a referral to a hygienst is necessary.. if so they can asses your gum health & advise accordingly... sometimes root planing is required.. they usually deep clean each quater of your mouth under local anaesthetic .. you could try a mouth wash called kin or even plain hot salty water can do the trick ..

Answer 9

if you are dis-satisfied use another dentist,the tartar thing is not a good job,very sloppy.Listerine is good,give it a fair go.But i would use regular salt water mouth wash.

Answer 10

youve been to a dentist then...but you feel the need to ask .dont you speak to your dentist when you visit?