Need insight from dentists or hygienists!

[jeri]

We moved to Germany in the spring adn we just had our first dental appt with a German dentist. he used a very weird method of cleaning our teeth--he sort of used a water pistol-like thing with either lemon water or salt water. It got rid of plaque without all the scraping we used to get in the US and for cleaning, I felt like I was in a car wash with water going everywhere! So, is this old technology, new technology or just weird? Thanks.

 

jeri

[Jan in SC]

Not a dental professional, but our dentist has been using this method with baking soda for several years. It's not pleasant, but much faster!

[Miss Peregrine]

My dentist uses the same thing.

[DarlaS]

My dentist has something like this. It's very much new technology but they only use it on me for tight spaces (where my lower front teeth overlap). It still feels like it's pretty abrasive though. It's definitely more humane! :001_smile:

[Jumping In Puddles]

My dentist used this and I didn't feel like it got my teeth as clean as the old method of scraping.

[Chris in VA]

MIne used it, too, but saves the scraping for when she has to do a deep scale--which I had to leave in the middle of, so I have that to look forward to, as soon as I can get an appt...:glare:

[melissel]

Mine has used this for a long time now too. My dad calls it sandblasting :D

[BikeBookBread]

I LOVE that method -- my dentist used it back in the late 80's while I had my braces on.

[DarlaS]

Hmmm... I'm wondering now if what my dentist does is actually quite different. I don't remember anything gritty in my mouth but it was not so gentle. It felt abrasive, but left nothing gritty behind.

 

It also has a high pitched whine to it. I think it's ultrasonic.

[ccm]

Jeri,

From your description it sounds like an ultrasonic scaler. Cavitron and other ultrasonic scalers have been around quite awhile, but they are not routinely used in some dental offices. I'll use a Cavitron perhaps once every two weeks on a patient with heavy plaque/calculus/stain. I prefer hand scaling with most of my patients. I do know of some dental offices that use ultrasonic scalers exclusively. They do an excellent job, but the water spray bothers some patients.

[Mothering5]

I'm a dental hygienist. There are a couple of aspects to a dental cleaning. One is removing the hardened plaque (calculus, tartar). The other is removing the soft, sticky layer of plaque and stain. A cavitron uses water and ultrasonic vibration to break off pieces of calculus. A prophy jet uses baking soda and water in a strong spray to remove soft plaque.

 

So, if it was a cavitron, some fine hand scaling would still need to be done, along with the polishing. If it was a prophy jet, scaling would need to be done first.

 

Krista

[jeri]

but thank you for assuring me that this is a *good* thing and not quackery! While I found it sort of rough (sensitive gums), it was super fast! Can't say that I'm looking forward to it again anytime soon, but I will be ready.

 

Jeri

[JFSinIL]

our dentist started doing this a couple visits ago.

[KidsHappen]

I have no idea about this but I wanted to throw out that I brush my teeth with an electric toothbrush and baking soda and my dentist says I have no plaque or tartar build up. It makes cleanings a breeze. A note of caution though, don't use baking soda if you have sensitive teeth or high blood sodium levels.

[BikeBookBread]

I've been using a Sonicare for about 10 years -- my Dad used to be in R&D at the company that invented it before it was bought out by Phillips, so we always had plenty of replacement heads :)

 

I sit in the chair about 10 minutes...no tartar, no gingivitis, no bleeding gums. It's worth it to get one; you don't even need the fanciest, newest model. The cheapest model (which is even available at some grocery stores!) will work wonders for your mouth.