Painful dental hygienist
 

Okay. I've had routine timely dental cleanings all my life. Never a problem. But I'm going to a new dentist with a good reputation on this forum, and I must say the cleaning was quite painful. The hygienist was very nice....but boy, she hurts. I've never been accused of being sensitive before, but this was a stressful experience. No, my teeth and gums are in good shape, so that is not the reason. I don't want to tarnish whatever reputation she may have with her employer, but I'd rather go without a cleaning than see her again.

Have I just been really lucky in the past with exceptionally gentle hygienists, or is this the real world I'm now being introduced to? What is your experience?

Only hurts when your gums are inflamed - in my experience.

I had the same experience with the hygienist at my favorite dentist's. I had to ask her to stop. I'm not a wimp, but dang, she hurt! I'm not sure what I'll do. There are several hygienists in the practice, so maybe I'll ask to switch. I don't know if they would cause any ill feelings. I certainly don't want to leave my dentist. I feel your pain!

I had the SAME experience at a very reputable dentist practice. OMIGOSH. I was trying NOT to cry out and I wanted to RUN. I went to the office person that schedules the appointments with hygienists and whispered to her to not EVER give me an appointment with that person and when my next appointment came up I was given the first hygienist that I had seen there, she was a LITTLE rough in some areas and explained why saying my gums were inflamed in those areas and told me that I was doing a good job with teeth cleaning, no plaque and that the probiotic the dentist had prescribed for me that alters the germ that causes tooth decay was really working. No cavities, gave me some little bottle brushes for in between teeth and a mouthwash to dip them in when using them.


I do understand. PM me with the dentist office. I love everything else there and the dentists are wonderful. I think they rent office space to the hygienists who do not directly work for them as I am used to up north. Just guessing.


Wow. It was AWFUL.

I'm wondering if it is a new procedure being used by dental hygienists? A few years back, my regular hygienist up north advised me of a new procedure (much like power-washing your home) that proved painful. She went back to her old method of scraping etc.

This is a little troublesome. I love my dentist here up north and get my teeth cleaned every 3 months due to some trouble many years ago with gum issues. I have read some pretty scary things on this forum about dentists. Sure hope my friends will help me pick a dentist/office when I finally get to TV. Looking for guidance and names to avoid. PM appreciated both ways.

Both my parents have experienced the same thing with the same hygienist at one of the Villages' area dentists. They just make sure they get someone else to do their cleanings. :cryin2:

It doesn't help if we don't know what office or who to avoid. Jimmie

I go to Palm Ridge Dental and I have only ever had one problem and that was just this week. I wear a mouth guard at night which tends to build excess plaque on the inside of my lower teeth, plus the gum is receding in that area so the hygienist asked if I minded if she turned the ultrasound cleaning tip to a higher and faster level, I had no problem until she got to a tooth in the back and at that point I could feel it. The look on my face alerted her to a problem and she slowed the tip down considerably and finished without a further problem.

This was not my usual hygienist, she was very good and very efficient, but I am going back to Susan next time and she'd better not go on vacation again!

As for "selling a chair to a hygienist" - not at Palm Ridge Dental. My regular lady told me it took her two years to get into Palm Ridge, she had to wait for someone to retire!

I go to Serenity Dental and really like Dr. Luong, but haven't had ANY luck with several of her hygienists? We only live here 6mos and always go back north for Christmas too, so I've just been scheduling my cleanings up there......wish I didn't have to:-(

I have really sensitive teeth and gums and I highly recommend Dr. Kathleen Williams at Palm Ridge Dental. Just had a cleaning today and her dental hygienist was wonderful. For that matter, all three of them are great.

Very interesting about Palm Ridge Dental. What are the hygienists names. I'd like to request a gentle one.

I can relate to painful cleanings. Been going to the same dentist for about 10 yrs here in TV and I also see a periodontist in Ocala. Always experienced uncomfortable cleanings form a particular hygienist. For a few days after the cleaning my gums would be inflamed and sore. Did many warm water/salt rinses which was soothing. Never at my periodonist office would my cleanings be painful. ( I alternate between the 2 offices) It was mentioned to me that some hygenists are " heavy handed" and we as patients have every right to bring it to their attention and or request another hygienist.

Mountaingirl, Allison and Ursula.

At my previous dentist I had a hygienist that I thought was very good. She was very concerned about my comfort and wellbeing. But she warned me that it might hurt a little because she needed to get under the gums to do the best possible cleaning. Every so often she would stop and ask me how I was doing and I would say, "good". I didn't mind a little discomfort as long as I knew I was getting a good cleaning. And I think she saved me from having to get a "deep cleaning". Unfortunately, she left to work for another dental office in Clermont FL.

Now I have a new dentist in the villages and the cleaning is a bit easier. I believe it's because the previous hygienist did all the hard work to keep my teeth healthy. And I give myself some credit too for eating an anti-inflammation diet. If you eat inflammatory foods, you are much more likely to get inflammation in your gums.

I have very sensitive gums and teeth. After being tortured by a few hygienists here in The Villages, I now request my current one to apply topical gel before my cleanings. There is no pain and the gel wears off soon after the appointment. I'm sure any hygienist would do this.

I am a dental hygienist still working in Atlanta in a periodontal office where maintenance cleanings are the backbone of our practice. Today we have topical anesthetics and medicaments to relieve sensitivity on exposed roots or tender areas. Prescription fluoride helps too. A dental cleaning need not be painful and good hygienists know how to avert discomfort while still doing a thorough cleaning. If I went to a hygienist who worked the way all of you described yours, I'd run for the high hills!

Love Serenity and Dr. Luong also. I think her dental hygientist, Toni, does a super job -- never had any issues with pain when she does my cleanings.

I'm a snowbird still getting my cleanings up north, however, my hygienist is a dear friend, and she tells me when she gets a patient with a "difficult" mouth, she will schedule several cleanings (only charging for one), and do it a little at a time over several days to avoid the discomfort. I wonder if asking for a little at a time would help?

Solution
 

Ask the hygenist NOT to use the Cavitron (water thingy). Instead, ask to have them use the instruments and scale your teeth. They need to do this anyway to keep in practice. I only had the Cavitron used on me once and I told them never again or I would change dentists. Been doing it the old fashion way now for more than 10 yrs with NO problems. When I moved here in 2012, the hygenist here agreed to do it my way. Shop around...it shouldn't hurt.

Thanks for this post.
I am going to Dr Luong b/c she was highly recommended in this forum.
My 1 st cleaning is next month.
Will ask for Toni.

I was just at Serenity two weeks ago for a cleaning. My appt. was supposed to be with Toni but was informed she no longer works there. I had Brittany for my cleaning and she was excellent.

Wow, I thought it was me. I had to tell the higienest "just take the plaque and leave the meat " . She was rough and never had it so rough.
Thank you all for the conformation of my discomfort.

Never experienced discomfort during dental cleaning and checkup....

We use Marion Dental Group and have had zero complaints/issues. Dr. Edwards is our "regular" dentist and is so warm and fuzzy you would think he was family, Dr. Wallace is my prosthetist and the cleanings are done expertly and without needing a ledge from which to jump or push!
They are on 441 just west of Bujones Aires on the south side of the road.
Great place.

Could all these posts, have something to do with "Scaling" (I think that's the word) type machine? Instead of using cleaning tools, they use this type machine? Maybe someone can help me out, with what I am talking about. LOL

My recent rough cleaning had to do partially with a machine called a Cavitron, which is a high pressure water cleaning. Although it is only water, it sounds and feels like a drill and was uncomfortable. The scaling was also done with a traditional pick scraper thing, which was also uncomfortable. Finally, she sort of slammed the dental floss between the teeth down onto the gums causing me to wince and actually jump a couple of times, despite my best efforts to pretend all was fine.

Keep in mind my teeth are fine, never had gum problems. It is enlightening to read here that I am not alone. Apparently this is not an uncommon problem.

Went to serenity dental spa yesterday for a cleaning with Toni. And guess what she is not there. I really loved her. The new hygienist was ok but I did have some discomfort. She didn't ask me for any perks that Toni did. Like a warm blanket, pillow for the neck and I didn't even get a goodie bag. I have been going to this dentist for over 2 years. Also Connie at the front desk is also gone. What's up????

I occasionally have the cavitron used by my hygienist at the Periodontist I see in Ocala and believe me it is completely comfortable & I have very sensitive gums. My hygienist is a gem.

I loved Dr. Luong but just received a letter stating she is dropping Principal Insurance so can longer go there unless I want to private pay......I'm dentist shopping again, ugh.

Who is your periodontist, and do you recommend him/her?

I had the same problem up North 12 years ago with the hygienist . I told my dentist that I wanted him to clean my family's teeth which he did for those 12 years without a drop of blood among any of my four family members. He sold the practice and bleeding during cleanings has returned. BTW I come from the days of no Novocaine where you had to hold onto the arms of the chair and watch the smoke come out of your mouth lol.

Cleaning with that ultrasonic-water thingy is for me, like hooking up electrodes to my teeth and applying electrical current. When I told a former hygienist up north this, after she had to stop about 6 times because of the tears streaming down my face she said, "I don't understand what you mean."

Some hygienists and dentists will not admit there are nerves in the teeth and that anesthesia was invented for a reason.

They should be limited to blacksmith work, shoeing horses.

I'm just old enough and coming from a small town with just two dentist---both which you could put into the "blacksmith" category ----getting my teeth cleaned today is a pleasure. Just like shopping at Publix!

We use Marion Dental on 441 across from the Cracker Barrel are. I think the girls name is Melissa that does ours now and love going to her... Our family has her. Dr.Walter is great. The one girl that had been doing our teeth transferred to the Ocala Office and she was the best.
Never had one issue there, we have been going to them for about 5 or 6 years I think.

I've always had problems with painful cleanings...so I ask for novocane (or lanicane) and let my hygienist go to town and I relax. Then again, I don't mind the shots at all...but I do mind losing teeth!

The Periodontist I see is Dr Zanner in Ocala 352-873-6999 & his hygienist is Josie. I truly can't say enough about this practice. Been going for about 10 yrs . I'm heading there in the morning for my cleaning. I highly recommend.