Question about dental work - Scaling

[sparkles17]

So, I had something called Debridement done this morning and it sucked. Bad. I admit, I suck at going to the dentist. I just went for the first time in nearly 15 years a few weeks ago because I had a toothache. So now, I'm trying to do the right thing and be better about this, my mother effer, my gums are destroyed and I'm very uncomfortable. Is a Scaling going to be worse than this? FWIW the Debridement was my full mouth, but due to my TMD, I'll be having the Scaling done in quadrants, 1 a week for 4 weeks.

[texassmith]

I have never had scaling done, so I don't know how it compares to debridement. I had that done about 4 years ago, and yeah, it sucks. Sorry...hope you get everything taken care of soon

[Brie]

You might want to XP this on the Money Matters board; I know there are a few dentists that post there.

[sparkles17]

Thanks Brie, I'll do that.

[ckinla]

I had it done once, and it sucked… honestly my mouth has never been in that much pain (except maybe my wisdom tooth extraction). Take some tylenol and rinse with warm salt water. The salt water is really what helped me. It took a few hours to feel fine again.

[juangela]

I've never had it done, but your oral health is one of THE most important things! It really is the gateway to your entire body and a problem that starts there can spread to the rest of your body. My mom is a dental assistant, so I've had good oral hygiene drilled into me since my childhood.

It is probably going to hurt. Can your dentist prescribe you something or recommend something OTC for the pain? I'd just be prepared for it. Your dentist is not doing it for fun, it is because you really need it.

And that is the good news is that once you have it done, all you need to do is get regular cleanings and you won't have to go through it again.

[mrsmac]

I had the scaling done a few years ago. I also had root planing done. Both were pretty intense. I don't know if I'd say painful but definitely intense and I was pretty uncomfortable afterwards.

I was supposed to have mine done in quadrants too, but she went ahead and did the whole thing in one shot. When I questioned her she said if she'd only done one part she doubted that I'd come back for the rest, which was a pretty astute observation on her part.

Good luck.