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Basic cleaning with tooth issues?

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TravelGirl

Junior member
Joined
Feb 13, 2023
Messages
2
Location
NY
I have not been to a dentist in 23 years :(. I'm 43 years old. I have a lot of visible issues, including a broken/loose tooth. Because I can't chew food on that side, I also have quite a bit of calculus on the front and bottom teeth. (maybe 4 teeth? 5?)

I made a dentist appointment today. I wrote a practice on Friday and explained I hadn't been in 20+ years and was extremely anxious. Got a call today and thought it was unrelated, as I was waiting for another call. IT WAS THE DENTIST and I almost crapped. I'm scheduled for May 8. I DID IT, THOUGH!!!!!

She said part of my first appt (and to expect 2 hours) was a basic cleaning. How can they do any type of cleaning when you present with a broken/loose tooth and have a bunch of calculus on one side? (which likely requires a deeper cleaning).. do they just.... do what they can? And work around these areas the first time? I just dont know what to expect. When I went last at 20 my teeth were in perfect condition so cleaning was a simple process. Now, unfortunately, I have all these issues and my brain is wondering how they even clean around them.
 
Gordon

Gordon

Administrator
Staff member
Verified dentist
Joined
Oct 25, 2005
Messages
8,212
How can they do any type of cleaning when you present with a broken/loose tooth and have a bunch of calculus on one side? (which likely requires a deeper cleaning).. do they just.... do what they can? And work around these areas the first time?
Yes, just do what they can. Loose teeth aren't as easy to remove as you might think, and there's no way they'll be affected by just cleaning off some calculus :)
 
T

TravelGirl

Junior member
Joined
Feb 13, 2023
Messages
2
Location
NY
Yes, just do what they can. Loose teeth aren't as easy to remove as you might think, and there's no way they'll be affected by just cleaning off some calculus :)
Wonderful, thank you so much!! I had all these fears they could only clean half of my mouth and not the other side or something. I'm anxiously excited!
 
Gordon

Gordon

Administrator
Staff member
Verified dentist
Joined
Oct 25, 2005
Messages
8,212
Good luck! Let's hear how you get on?
 
S

Scaredygap

Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2017
Messages
23
Hey TravelGirl, what you wrote sounds eerily similar to how I’m feeling and my phobia of going to a dentist.
How did you get on on the 8th?
 
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