Anyone here ever have a dental procedure called 'Scaling'?

[Pithlet]

What is it like? I'm nervous about it. The worst dental procedure I ever had was having my bottom wisdom teeth out, and that was when I was 16. I'm a little nervous about this. I go early next month.

I went to the dentist for what I thought was a toothache, but my teeth are fine. Apparently, I have periodontal disease, particularly around my back teeth. That's what I get for missing my regular dental appointments. I went to a dentist a few months ago, but didn't go back because I hated the office. This is what I get for putting it off. Ugh.

[flamingyouth]

1. My late husband used to have that a lot

He said it hurt, but he had a very low pain threshhold. Good luck!

[babylonsister]

2. My sister had it done.

Uncomfortable but she got through it fine. Also had periodontal disease. Think good thoughts!

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. It's just scraping of the teeth roots on the outside

I had it done last Fall, and while it's kind of noisy (sometimes you can hear the scraping through your bones into your ear), it's nothing. A shot of painkiller, and all was well. And it's not all that painful to begin with, since the roots don't really have nerves on them anyway. It is a bit bloody, though, so be forwarned on that. Nothing dangerous, but not like getting a filling.

I only had one tooth scaled, btw.

And my dentist only scraped with a hand scraper thingabob, nothing powered or drilly.

[madmax]

4. It's pretty common

Don't get yourself in a dither. It's not that bad. He'll numb it and you shouldn't feel anything and if you do tell him.

Then get yourself a Sonicare toothbrush. It's the best brush for lazy people. Battery operated, runs for two minutes, gets into hard to reach places. I love it. Have great gums and teeth now. Let us know how you make out.

[4morewars]

5. It's not too bad...

I recently went through it, we did it in four visits, one quadrant at a time. It was uncomfortable, but not as bad as having a tooth pulled, by a long shot ! For me the worst part was waiting for the novacaine to wear off !! AND, the gum disease has actually been reversed !!!! The worst tooth is tighter, and pain free !!
Don't forget to floss ! ;)

[canuckforpeace]

6. It's not that bad

If you floss your teeth regularily then you won't need to get scaled often and prevent gum disease. I learned the hard way. Never used to floss, but I do every day now.

[Pithlet]

7. I know

Believe me, this will teach me. Part of the problem is my gag reflex. It is so bad that they almost couldn't get all of my teeth x-rayed. It's also why I have a problem brushing and flossing my back teeth, which is where the disease is. My teeth are actaully in excellent shape, particularlly for someone who hadn't had her teeth cleaned in years. My teeth should have fallen out by now, I'm sure. My luck will run out, so I've got to get flossing.

[Pithlet]

8. Kick for the late night crowd.

I'm still a bit scared, even though it's still a week away. At least the dentist gave me Lortab to hold me over till then, which is kicking in nicely now.