Hygienist Appointment

17th February 2014

Went to see the hygienist this morning and they checked over my mouth. They said my gums were inflamed which I knew and said they were going to show me the brushing technique. I knew it was circular motions but can never seem to do this when my mouth is clenched together so she said I could get to the back with my mouth open instead, if I was struggling. She did say apart from my gums being inflamed and some plaque, my teeth weren’t too bad. They told me they will bleed and not to worry as this will improve over time and to take extra care on the tooth which is set back. The other thing I found interesting was, I always wash out with cold water afterwards and she said not too. This is similar to the mouthwash scenario where the water washes away the fluoride so it cant fight the bacteria in my mouth.

I told her I was using a manual toothbrush at the moment and asked if I should start using an electric one. She said either will be fine but an electric toothbrush will probably get to bits where a manual one wont. She also said to get some mouthwash but don’t use this straight after brushing as it isn’t effective due to the fluoride. (Theres fluoride in toothpaste and in mouthwash so the mouthwash doesn’t do its job properly as the toothpaste has done this for the time being, if that makes sense) She said to use the mouthwash later on in the day which will then fight off bacteria that’s created when I cant brush my teeth, like at work.

She then gave me a clean and scrape? (It was a clean along with some scraping, but not a polish)

She then said it was advisable to see her again in April to see if im improving so I see her on 29th April and this way I can make any last minute improvements before seeing the surgeon in May. She said the next appointment probably wont take long but they will advise on electric tooth brushing (which I will probably buy soon anyway) and then show me flossing and using plaque tablets.

A few little changes that ill be changing…for the good! 🙂

Facebow Appointment

10th February 2014

Had my appointment for my facebow and when I got there I didnt have to wait long before I got escorted to the treatment room. The lady asked me what I wanted from them so explained again (Im having to do this everytime I see a new person) that I wanted straighter teeth and my jaw aligned. She then looked through my notes and saw that I needed a facebow, which is a metal contraption that goes into my ears and around my head and down my nose. Its hard to explain so this is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saBwKfjm-wc

I was waiting a few mins while they got the equipment together and they came across a bit unorganised and one of the assistants said to me jokingly, ‘we are filling you with confidence arent we?’ and I was thinking yeah just a bit!

She was screwing bits around my nose with a screwdriver and putting pressure on my nose which was sore a few days later. It was strange seeing someone screwing my face. She said I was a good patient because she was messing around with my chin moving it up and down and said I was very relaxed. They also put a a metal thing in my mouth which had wax on it and they they moved my mouth in all sorts of positions to get the bits in my mouth but in doing that theyve cut the side of my mouth and its blistered so got lots of lipsell on it at the moment. I keep eating zesty foods like mayo and salt and vinegar crisps forgetting about it so it will sting for a while.

She then pulled it away and then they started on my moulds. I ended up with loads of wax in my mouth, firstly on the bottom which was fine but when they did the tops, the wax went to the back of my throat and I could have gagged. They did two lots and afterwards I kept feeling a tiny ball of wax in my teeth and the after taste was disgusting! I ended up with wax all over my face as well so they gave me a wipe down!

They also quickly put me in a room with a white background so they could take some pictures of my facing forward, sideways and they also took photos of inside my mouth where they propped a mirror in and got a bit close. Very attractive!

They also said again that I had a hole and that my general dentist would have to give me another filling (which is annoying because my first experience was bad, although the last one was better). I have my check up in April so will probably be having this done then. They also reminded me about my gums and said I was aware of this and was going to thoroughly go through things with the hygienist next week. Will probably be investing myself in an electric toothbrush! At least Ill have a good few months to improve my brushing between now and May.

The lady saw on my appointment card that I was seeing the surgeon and orthodontist at the joint clinic on 23rd May so she said she was going to attend too. Not sure why but guess Ill find out on the day.

Hygienist next Monday and then a break til May.