Oral Hygienist Yes Or No.?

[ibizaboy]

so after a visit to my dentists today ( all ok) he suggests i see a dental hygienist at £62 a pop. so opinions please.......worth it or just a rip off for a scale and polish. ( my teeth/mouth are in good order) thanks.

[Peter Pedant]

yes

your teeth are in good order because they are clean
Dirty - they fall out
specifically in the absence of a dentist on AB - the build up of clag around teeth allows gum retraction to occur and then they fall out

you asked

[Vagus]

According to nhs website, a checkup, scale and polish and X-ray if needed, are included in band one at a cost of £23.80 in England.

[tiggerblue10]

My regular check-ups cost £18 as an NHS patient and Oral Hygienist is £50. Only once a year so don't mind paying.

[Buenchico]

I've survived the past half century without any dental check-ups, so I certainly wouldn't be rushing to take up the offer!

[Vagus]

I think £62.10 refers to a deeper scale and polish.
Maybe ask your dentist why he thinks that’s needed if your teeth are in good order. Perhaps he’s seen something below the gum line which needs it.

[gingejbee]

Interesting that my practice (all women btw) still include a descale, polish and X-rays in the six-monthly NHS check-up. And have been open for business as usual through the last year...all but for the first few lock-down months)

[Sqad]

Well, i am not one for dental studies, but one some 5years or so ago suggested that dental health had very little to do with the hygienist.
No, I haven't got a link, but I do have my teeth, fairly healthy and I have never seen a hygienist.
I do clean my teeth -:)

[gingejbee]

I'd also suggest that the money better be spent on a decent electric toothbrush and top-quality "all-singing" toothpaste...probably just as effective as the hygienist once-a-year.

[webbo3]

I'm quite lucky, I get all m6y dental treatment for free.

[david small]

I bought a hygienist kit from Amazon £12. It’s also good for picking winkles out of their shell. I’ve never seen a hygienist, except to wave as I drive past.

[lady-janine]

I pay a monthly insurance which covers that, and other treatments, twice a year. Keeping my teeth in good order is important to me so I pay up. Your teeth, your money, your choice.

[jennyjoan]

for me dental hygienist is so painful I ask to be numbed - was to get it done last teeth removal but refused am due an appointment in July but will be refusing again. Dental hygienist has told me my "body" makes plaque.

ginge - "all singing" toothpaste - what do you mean please.

[barry1010]

My dentist tells me that the cheapest own brand toothpaste is just as effective as the top of the range expensive toothpaste, but both are only any good if you brush your teeth properly twice a day with a toothbrush that isn't worn out.

[gingejbee]

Barry &jj...I've seen reports that suggest that a cheap own-brand paste isn't as effective as a good branded multi-purpose paste from, say, Oral-B or Colgate.

[burlyshirley]

Blimey, I've never paid that much for a dental hygienist !

[Apc2604]

Every time I visited my dentist (now retired) I was congratulated by him keeping my teeth so clean, so never was advised to see a hygienist. My teeth have never been strong but I admit to being really fussy about looking after them.

[smurfchops]

And floss daily ...

[barry1010]

Ginge, was it OralB and Colgate that commissioned the reports? :D

[gingejbee]

barry...no. It was independant Consumers' Association aka Which?

[ichkeria]

Without seeing your teeth it is impossible to day
They might be "in good order" but they might still need a good clean.
£62 seems a lot tho maybe not if it's provate.