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1. anonyme
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   This post is intended as a fact-finding mission PRE-possible rant, so no business will be named.

   I recently used a Groupon to see a dentist for x-rays, exam, and cleaning. The entire process took less than 50 minutes. The hygienist polished my teeth FIRST, something I've never experienced before. She did a lot of work on one area with what she said was an ultrasound tool, but it sounded like grinding to me. My teeth now feel like sandpaper, and my mouth is getting raw from sticking to my teeth. Has anyone ever heard of this (especially polishing first)?

   Posted 6 months ago #         

2. squareeyes
   Member Profile

   

   Just had my cleaning yesterday so the process is fresh in my mind. As far as I've ever experienced X-rays are done first, followed by scaling with the pointy tool and/or the ultrasound which uses water and has a very high-pitched whine sound. Polishing is last and there should be no remaining grit or rough feeling once you've rinsed the polish out of your mouth. At that point the dentist usually comes in, looks at the X-rays, has a look in the mouth and consults with the hygienist about any sore or suspect spots found during the cleaning process, checks my bite, does an oral cancer screening, and then I'm out the door. With X-rays it takes an hour, without X-rays 45-ish minutes.

   I have to say, if you haven't had your teeth cleaned in a few years any small gaps you may have between teeth could have filled in with plaque/tartar so the teeth would feel odd against the tongue with those gaps again exposed after the scaling, but certainly not rough like sandpaper.

   Posted 6 months ago #         

3. anonyme
   Member Profile

   Thanks, squareeyes. That's always been my experience as well, in over 50 years of dental visits. Polishing always came last, leaving teeth feeling nice and shiny smooth. Not this time. Sandpaper effect still in place. This was a very high-end, top-rated dentist who was also 50 minutes late and barely civil. Will NOT be going back.

   Posted 6 months ago #         

4. Lena
   Member Profile

   

   From my dental training with animals, polishing should always come last. If you scale without polishing you are at very high risk of building up tarter as all those little sandpaper grooves are great places for it to sit. In the best interest of your health I recommend going to someone else to at least polish everything smooth again.

   Posted 6 months ago #         

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