2nd 'perio' visit this morning

[Faye]

Hi all,

Just wanted to say hello before I head off for my second visit to the dentist. I'm going to leave work in a few minutes. The appointment is at 9.15 and is scheduled to last 10mins, then hubby has his at 9.25. So if all goes to plan I should be back in an hour or so (maybe a bit longer as it might be time for the morning tea break when I get back, so I might get some breakfast first).

Have a good morning and speak to you soon!

Faye

[Faye]

Hi I'm back!

It all went okay. I had the same dentist I had last time so he started using the ultrasonic cleaner thing straight away. He spent a few minutes getting some more tartar off my teeth and then used a brush with what looked like tough orangey bristles to polish my teeth. It was brilliant looking in the mirror when I got back to work, as now when I smile there is no tartar! ;D

The dentist said to go back in about three months. He said for hubby to do the same. However at reception the lady didn't know about this as he didn't put anything about it into the computer, she said she'd send a reminder at six months. Hubby is happy with going at six months but I think I'm going to book an appointment for three.

One reason is that I want to keep my teeth looking white, but secondly there is still a fair bit of tartar around the middle and back of my bottom teeth. I take it that as he said I don't have to go back for three months that the tartar isn't causing too many problems, however it would be nice to get rid of it all. I was hoping it all would be gone today but I suppose an NHS dentist can't work miracles in 10 minutes. I am tempted to see how much it costs for going private to get the rest of the teeth cleaned.

Anyway it is now great to have my front teeth looking loads better! I can't stop smiling ;D I was very brave this time and didn't cry or anything hehehe, however my stomach was tying itself up in knots a few minutes before I went in. All in all it wasn't bad. The cleaning was fine but did feel a tiny bit sensitive in one or two places, but that only lasted a few seconds before he moved onto another area. I was a bit freaked out when I saw the polishing thing, it looked a bit scary but it wasn't too bad.

As I wasn't bawling my eyes out this time I was able to say a big 'thank you' to the dentist and nurse and said my teeth would be in a better state next time I went to see them. I asked if I should use a special mouthwash or anything and he said just to use Listerine.

All in all I'm very happy (and a bit wet lol, water from the instruments went streaming down my face and around down to my back ;D). Can't wait for lunch so I can go and show my parents my shiny white grin

Faye

[den]

well done Faye...you're a regular dentist-goer now!
It sounds as if the second visit was a whole lot easier than the first - is that so? do you feel that you could go thru with any major work now, if it had to be done?
I've been really encouraged reading your story as it's unfolded...thanks for posting it. still not moved on to make my first appointment, though.

[letsconnect]

Welcome back Faye - well done !!

Time can be a huge issue with NHS dentists - in many areas, they're under an awful lot of pressure time-wise (as you've noticed . Like yourself, I had a lot of tartar build-up and the cleaning took well over an hour - that was private though and my dentist was hyper-careful and did stop lots of times at the beginning to make sure I was comfortable (actually, once I got used to it, I found it really relaxing, LOL). If you can afford it, it might be an idea to go private. A cleaning shouldn't cost very much. Often, practices dish out leaflets with details of their standard fees for a variety of treatments.

With gum problems, it's usually recommended that you have more frequent check-ups and cleanings until they're under control. I'd definitely book an appointment for 3 months.

Again, well done - enjoy your shiny white grin ;D!!

[Faye]

Hi Den,

Thanks so much for your lovely message

I do feel a bit like a regular dentist-goer now lol. The second visit really was so much easier than the first. Even though the first one wasn't bad at all but I was more anxious before hand because I wasn't sure what to expect. And I did cry a bit in the first appointment but that wasn't anything to do with the procedures, I think it was just an emotional release from the stress and worry I'd had about my teeth.

This second visit I had a few little butterflies in the stomach before going in. I was thinking about the cleaning and was once again imagining it to be worse than it is. I went in and he started cleaning and I immediately relaxed (as much as you can with someone moving your gob about lol) as it was absolutely fine. I didn't cry this time . <----very brave! lol.

The polisher thing looked a bit dodgy when I first saw it but that really was okay too. He dipped it in this powder before putting it on my teeth (must be an abrasive cleaner thing). Afterwards that felt a bit strange as it was very 'bitty', but the dentist used a water spray to get it off my teeth and they feel very smooth now.

I reckon if I had to have any major work done I'd still be nervous but now that I've been to the dentist a couple of times I know I'd be very much less nervous than I would have been before.

Have a go at making an appointment if you can, even if it's just for a quick talk and a bit of a look around. It really isn't anywhere near as scary as I'd imagined it and it really does feel like such a relief to be getting myself sorted out.

Thanks for reading about my adventures I know that I've been very lucky and haven't needed too much doing, but talking about it and having people supporting me has made it so much easier.



Faye

[Faye]

Hi Lets,

I'm definately going to have that three month visit and I will try and stop in to have a look at their prices for private cleaning work. I understand what you mean when you say it can be quite relaxing lol. I can't believe I was so scared of this just a few weeks ago. If only I knew then what I know now etc....lol. I can only imagine how busy they must be. I hear on the news about some places not having any NHS dentists so the ones we have must be working their socks off! The surgury did look busy this morning, there were quite a few people being seen.

Thanks very much for all your support and advice. This site is a great place, I think I'm addicted ;D !



Faye