shamrockerin
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2012
- Messages
- 752
- Location
- New Hampshire, USA
Sorry if this is a bit long-winded, but it has also been long awaited. . .
The Back Story: Last year, when I was finished with my numerous fillings, I promised myself that from then on, I would take much better care of my teeth so that I could avoid having that much work ever necessary again. I really tried hard. I brushed my teeth at least twice a day, I bought expensive prescription strength toothpaste, and I was sure to floss at least once a day. After flossing, I would rinse with a 50/50 water and hydrogen peroxide solution just to help flush out any remaining germs that were hiding in the crevices and prevent any infection from occurring.
At my last cleaning, I was nervous but I went in knowing that I had put in so much time and effort to make my teeth and gums healthy. I was expecting to hear things like "Your teeth look great" or "I can tell you floss everyday" etc. However, I didn't hear anything that nice and instead I was scolded because my wisdom teeth had plaque build-up on them and told them if I plan to keep them (I do, since all 4 are fully erupted, straight, and not causing any issues) then I need to keep them cleaner.
I was devastated.
I had put 6 months of effort in, and yet I still hadn't done a satisfactory job. I felt so ashamed. The hygienist gave me a special toothbrush with a very small head and pointed bristles to use on my wisdom teeth since regular toothbrushes cannot reach all the way back there and clean efficiently. I started using it, and I was appalled at the amount of blood that I was spitting out everytime I brushed around my wisdom teeth. My teeth/gums never bled, except in those areas. I was so disheartened and disgusted with myself, and the entire situation felt hopeless.
BUT TONIGHT. . .TONIGHT- I went through my entire routine: brush, floss, peroxide rinse, and extra attention to the wisdom teeth- no blood! Not even the tiniest tinge of pink on the bristles!
I feel like now if I can get the nerve up to go to a new practice, I can go in there and confidently say that I do everything in my power to make sure my gums and teeth (even those tricky wisdom ones) are as clean and healthy as they possibly can be. If the dentist/hygienist still tries to lecture me or make me feel bad, then I will know he/she is WRONG and that I deserve to go to a place that will make me feel better about my teeth, not worse.
The Back Story: Last year, when I was finished with my numerous fillings, I promised myself that from then on, I would take much better care of my teeth so that I could avoid having that much work ever necessary again. I really tried hard. I brushed my teeth at least twice a day, I bought expensive prescription strength toothpaste, and I was sure to floss at least once a day. After flossing, I would rinse with a 50/50 water and hydrogen peroxide solution just to help flush out any remaining germs that were hiding in the crevices and prevent any infection from occurring.
At my last cleaning, I was nervous but I went in knowing that I had put in so much time and effort to make my teeth and gums healthy. I was expecting to hear things like "Your teeth look great" or "I can tell you floss everyday" etc. However, I didn't hear anything that nice and instead I was scolded because my wisdom teeth had plaque build-up on them and told them if I plan to keep them (I do, since all 4 are fully erupted, straight, and not causing any issues) then I need to keep them cleaner.
I was devastated.
I had put 6 months of effort in, and yet I still hadn't done a satisfactory job. I felt so ashamed. The hygienist gave me a special toothbrush with a very small head and pointed bristles to use on my wisdom teeth since regular toothbrushes cannot reach all the way back there and clean efficiently. I started using it, and I was appalled at the amount of blood that I was spitting out everytime I brushed around my wisdom teeth. My teeth/gums never bled, except in those areas. I was so disheartened and disgusted with myself, and the entire situation felt hopeless.BUT TONIGHT. . .TONIGHT- I went through my entire routine: brush, floss, peroxide rinse, and extra attention to the wisdom teeth- no blood! Not even the tiniest tinge of pink on the bristles!
I feel like now if I can get the nerve up to go to a new practice, I can go in there and confidently say that I do everything in my power to make sure my gums and teeth (even those tricky wisdom ones) are as clean and healthy as they possibly can be. If the dentist/hygienist still tries to lecture me or make me feel bad, then I will know he/she is WRONG and that I deserve to go to a place that will make me feel better about my teeth, not worse.
) but they have a time in early October so I'm going to try for that one.
