How often do you get your teeth cleaned?

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Puzzleheaded-Fix8182@reddit

Very odd had mine today and this popped up. Once a year

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Nimble_Natu177@reddit

Its bullshit, used to be included in a checkup.

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twirlinround@reddit

Yeah, each time I go to the dentist he says I 'need' a hygienist, then explains its £80, to which i explain i can't afford it. If it's NEEDED, it should be included.

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Nimble_Natu177@reddit

This! Are you an NHS patient? I am and I feel like dentists pressure up-sells on you so much if you aren't on the private patient prices.

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One total loss which was an old NHS filling which got infected.

I don’t think it’s worth the money doing an implant. It doesn’t affect my eating in anyway.

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twirlinround@reddit

Yeah I'm quite similar actually, one crown (although that was my own fault, tripped! But god it's a shit crown). A few fillings which I imagine will cause me issues soon, and one fully removed. I definitely eat on one side of my mouth more, and I'm only 20's so I. Pretty self conscious about them! I do think my teeth will be something I splash on when I get the savings up.

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Crafty_Birdie@reddit

It is included. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/how-much-will-i-pay-for-nhs-dental-treatment/

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twirlinround@reddit

'If the dentist says scaling is not clinically necessary, you’ll have to pay for it privately'

Well apparently mine is required every time I go, but not to the point of it being done on the NHS.

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Ex dental nurse here. This a big gripe of mine. We always did a scale and polish at the end of a check up. Now they just want to upsell you to a hygienist. It's an absolute joke.

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Psychological_Sky480@reddit

It’s not even a hygienist at my dentist, it’s a separate private charge but the dentist himself does it…

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moreidlethanwild@reddit

I used to have a great dentist, lovely Polish lady. Every check up I had she would do a cleaning on a section of my teeth, like 15-20 minutes of cleaning. It saved me a separate hygienist visit and a few quid. She was frustrated that patients had to now book and pay separately for it.

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CheekyYoghurts@reddit

"you should see the hygienist for that"

pinkdaisylemon@reddit

Yes of course a fully fledged hygienist appt is completely different. However, as part of the NHS check up you should also get a scale and polish. A lot of dentists just dont bother to do this and just say go to a hygienist for a clean. Not everyone needs or can afford that and would benefit from just having the s and p from the dentist.

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Hot_Wonder6503@reddit

Dentists get £13 for a checkup, which is already terrible. If you expect them to do free scaling on top there will be no NHS dentists remaining in the entire country.

Just because you can't afford a non-essential treatment, it doesn't mean the dentist has to do charity work.

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JohnnyRyallsDentist@reddit

So the problem is a wider issue of NHS funding. If someone "can't afford non essential treatment' it shouldn't matter, because it's already been paid for out of taxation. We pay for this part of the service, and they've quietly stopped providing it. Plus, id argue hygienist work isn't "non essential" - it's important preventative work that may save more expense & work down the line.

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Hot_Wonder6503@reddit

If it's essential there would be a clinical indication and therefore it can be done by the dentist under the NHS examination.

Most of the time they will clean the lower teeth (bits you can feel) and ignore the rest of the mouth.

If you dont brush 2x a day and floss/interdental clean daily you will likely need a hygienist clean at least once a year.

Yeah ours is pretty much the same, it's outrageous. £45 for check up (2 mins) every other visit they do x-rays (£15x2 for each side of the mouth) then £60 for scale and polish which you have to come back for on a separate day.

So it's either £105 or £135 each time, so much money.

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aChocolateFireGuard@reddit

No way! Thats outrageous. Maybe my dentist is just a cool guy? I dont have terrible teeth so i dont think mine is ‘clinically necessary’ theyre a little yellow, but theyre all straight and all there. Ive had the same dentist my entire life so maybe he just does me a solid but who knows. My check up is around the £20 mark and i get the scale and polish included. 1 time he didnt have the time and booked me in for it a few days later and i had to pay an extra £20 but thats it

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I see a dentist privately. Pay £20 a month get 2 check ups, hygienist appointments 2 a year and 2 X-rays if required for £240 a year. Also easy to get appointments and dental travel insurance included!

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padro789@reddit

Every 3 months currently as I've got gum deases. My own fault for never flossing.

But I'll soon be on every 6 months as I've learned how to correctly floss my teeth now. Was never shown when younger or new anyone who actually flossed.

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ultraboomkin@reddit

I didn’t even think flossing is a thing in the UK

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padro789@reddit

People called me mad but I never ever remember anyone in school telling kids to floss or that.

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SmartPriceCola@reddit

I’ve been brushing twice a day for over 20 years with no dentist visits.

I just can't get into an NHS dental practice for love or money in East Midlands.

As a former attendee, one thing to point out is you need to commit a crime which has you imprisoned long enough to access these things. Several months, in my experience, wasn't enough to get any educational aspects or dental treatment etc.

Not that I'm suggesting this as a viable route of access lol.

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YourSkatingHobbit@reddit

Well I was planning a spree of bank robberies and laundering the stolen money, but it does seem like a lot to go through for dental. (Just in case the police read this, please note I am kidding).

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Adept-Panic-7742@reddit

Police here, straight to the dental surgery with you.

Probably a worse sentence than doing time tbh.

Yet the NHS dentist still tells me I need to go to their hygienist (£80) for a clean - despite that I've been to the private one just 3 months earlier.

Ultrasonic cleaning and/or manual scaling

Even if you brush and floss well twice a day, everyone gets a little bit of tartar buildup over time - and most people aren't great at flossing super thoroughly even if they try

You will have some tartar (hardened plaque) under your gumline, it's basically guaranteed and just part of our biology. An ultrasonic clean/scale removes that

You don't need to do it constantly, for most people once a year is sufficient to keep on top of it

If you have awkwardly shaped teeth (eg a bit crooked) making it hard to floss, or a retainer or similar, or some other issue like weak enamel or a history of gum disease (meaning you may have pockets behind your gums that plaque can more easily lodge in) then it's often worth going 2x per year or even more... but that's not necessary for the majority of people

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PerceptionGreat2439@reddit

Private dental practice in Lincolnshire.

£36 a month which gets me 4 visits. 3 with the hygienist and one with the dentist, although the dentist usually pops in during a hygiene session. I think it's a little pricey. Dentists seems to be moving towards prevention rather than cure. Good hygiene prevents cavities, gum disease etc. I get reduced rates if I need any work done.

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Crazy_Plum1105@reddit

You pay £400 a year? Fuck me. That's 100 a clean and 100 a visit. I'm central London and it's 60 a clean 80 a visit

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Skydance1975@reddit

I discovered through my friends in London that private dentists and hygienists are often cheaper than in the rest of Southern England. You'd think they'd charge more due to higher property and rental prices. Perhaps there's more competition in the capital?

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PerceptionGreat2439@reddit

I did say I thought it was a bit pricey.

I will investigate other dental practices in the local area.

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Isgortio@reddit

Have a look at the costs for the treatment itself, if you weren't on the plan. The plans tend to only really work out more cost efficient if you need a lot doing.

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PerceptionGreat2439@reddit

I'll do that.

I've spent a great deal of money on implants and my teeth are now finally (after many years) in a good place. My dentist constantly reinforces how important hygiene and I should stick with the plan but, I know they want my business. There's no chance of getting NHS dental treatment locally. But I feel that NHS dentist's didn't really have my best interests at heart.

I'll shop around.

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Isgortio@reddit

NHS dentists won't be able to provide the care you need for your implants. Definitely stick with regular cleanings, they're very important when you have implants. You don't need the plan to have cleanings.

If you do decide to change practice, request copies of your x-rays especially of the implants as your new practice would find them useful for monitoring the health of your implants. Also, if you haven't already got the brand information of your implants, I'd recommend requesting them. They all have different tools and screwdrivers based on the brand, so if you don't know the brand you'll have a lot of difficulty getting anyone to touch the implant if there is an issue. :)

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PerceptionGreat2439@reddit

My dentist has already told me that they won't get involved with any of my implant work. I have to go back to London where they were done.

The practice I'm currently at is fine except for the price. I don't know whether the hassle of changing yet another dentist is worth it or not.

Thanks for your advice, I appreciate it.

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Ururuipuin@reddit

If you NEED a scale and polish it's included in your check up.

Other wise it's just the dentist upselling

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Kwayzar9111@reddit

years ago its used to be checkup with a quick scale and polish, these days its 2 separate appointments.

I am kinda lucky i have checkup and scale/polish every 6 months as i claim expenses back from HealthShield via work... If i had to pay myself its would be every 12 months.

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mashed666@reddit

I was getting a hygienist appointment twice a year... Dentist once a year... Then they kicked me off there books because I wouldn't go private for dental treatment...

Now been 18 months without seeing anyone...

I don't go to my GP for a check-up, and they could check my entire body, so why would I pay money to a dentist just to check my mouth?

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MrsLibido@reddit

I don't go to my GP for a check-up when there's nothing wrong, and they could check my entire body, so why would I pay money to a dentist just to check my mouth?

Routine check-ups are very often standard in other European countries and reading comments like these makes me kind of sad. People are not health-conscious in this country at all because they've been told that unless you're dying you shouldn't seek help as it "wastes resources". It's much easier to deal with health issues when spotted early (or prevent them from progressing) as opposed to having to deal with them when your condition gets noticeably very bad.

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Isgortio@reddit

Reasons to visit a dentist:
- dentists will check your mouth for signs of oral cancer, as well as checking your neck and throat. Oral cancer is one of the cancers that if you do survive it, your quality of life is pretty rubbish. So the sooner it's caught, the better the outcome. You tend not to get pain from oral cancer until it's progressed too far.

dentists will check your teeth for signs of decay, you can have decay without your tooth hurting. When your tooth does hurt, that means the decay is now very deep and you might be able to just fill it, or the nerve will die off and become infected, so you'll need a root canal treatment to remove the infection or an extraction to remove the tooth itself. If left untreated, dental infections can spread to the heart and brain, and kill you. Dentists are trying to prevent decay from progressing that far.
dentists will check your gums for signs of gum disease, there are two types, gingivitis which is reversible with good oral hygiene, and periodontal disease which is not reversible. Periodontal disease significantly increases your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and there are links to Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and other conditions currently being researched. These can all be prevented by regular dental examinations, cleanings, good oral hygiene and not smoking (vapes are becoming evident that they also cause issues).
lots of medical conditions will have signs within the mouth, so conditions such as sjogrens, diabetes, Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, coeliac, anaemia, HIV/AIDS, liver disease (which can develop into cirrhosis and liver failure) and leukemia can be detected from a dental examination.

If you have the funds, please see a dentist. You can ignore everything they say if you really want, you don't have to have treatment, but they can literally save your life.

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NoBelt9833@reddit

I'm gonna sound terribly blase and say I just really don't see the need. I've never had so much as a toothache nevermind a filling and I'm in my mid-30s now. I brush my teeth every morning and night and have a floss every couple of years to check my gums still bleed properly.

Not for a few years.

I'm fortunate to be with an NHS Dentist, I was with one for many years where my parents lived. Remained with this dentist even after I moved, but eventually changed to one nearer to where I live as they got suspicious I had moved when looking at my medical records.

Of course, my emergency room visit this year cost me $6000 so I think you have the best deal with that.

When I started using an electric toothbrush my hygienist tells me my teeth have very little plaque so maybe switch to electric and go once a year or every 2 years?

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Flaky-Walrus7244@reddit (OP)

And you have to pay for dental insurance (or at least I did when I worked in the US)

The dental industry is a joke in the U.K. now. A clean & polish use to be included in an NHS check up.

My dentist fobbed me off and I was sucked into a monthly payment with a private company which includes 2 check ups and 2 hygienist visits a year. I ask every month if they are taking on NHS patients again to go back as there really is no need for 2 cleans a year in my opinion.

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misskindle@reddit

Every 6 months. I pay a monthly direct debit of 16 quid or so to some dental insurance company.

It gives 2 free hygiene visits a year, free x rays and dental check ups. Then if I do need any work done it takes 20% off the price of the treatment.

To me it's worth it and spreads the cost.

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JonnoFleming@reddit

Could I ask which company this is with? These sound better than the ones I have been recommended.

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misskindle@reddit

Practice Plan is the one! Couldn't remember the name. I really di think the regular hygiene visits have not meant that I'm not needing regular work done like I was before.

I think you need to make sure your dentist accepts practice plan.

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sssenorsssnake@reddit

Hol up. Is practice plan still going?

My dad still pays £16 or so but he was debating to cancel it since our dentist said practice plan ‘no longer exists because it’s old.”

Dad recently had a hygienist appt and still had to pay? and I thought what he was paying covered these sort of things?

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JonnoFleming@reddit

Amazing, I will have a look into this. Thanks!

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Designer-Computer188@reddit

Also look at Medicash health cash plan

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Norman_debris@reddit

Do you mean the visits have meant you not needing regularly work, or are you saying they're useless?

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misskindle@reddit

No. Saying I never used to go to get my teeth cleaned and inevitably had an annual filling. Now I've been having regular teeth cleans and haven't had a filling in 3 years, so I do think it's made a huge difference.

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Fancy-Professor-7113@reddit

Every 6 months

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I do get complimented now about them being clean though, but I think that's only since the floss!

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Sm0keytrip0d@reddit

I go once a year.

They want me to go every 4 months but fuck that, 4 lots of £69 and frankly my teeth don't even get remotely bad in 4 months so it's a waste of time.

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Gooner_93@reddit

Every few months, but the last one I had done was after six months.

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Critical_Pin@reddit

My dentist conceded that I'm doing a good job my self with flossing and an electric toothbrush.

The best she could come up with that everyone goes to the hygenist these days and that I should go in case I missed anything.

Personally, it used to be every 6 months, now it's probably once a year (or when my colleagues are bored and want someone to poke at). There's very little to be cleaned as I do my best to keep my teeth clean, and I don't drink tea/coffee/wine or smoke. I also have equipment at home to do it myself if there is anything there, but I am trained to use this (hygienist).

Most people should be every 6 months though, especially if they consume anything that can stain, if they smoke, or if they have crowded (crooked) teeth. If your gums are unhealthy, then it'll be every 3 months until they are healthy again.

If you have implants, at least every 6 months. Implants can be lost within 3-6 months if you develop gum disease around them, whereas teeth will last decades. You won't get a refund or discount if you lose an implant due to this as it is usually self inflicted.

You can get your dentist to do a clean, but having been a dental nurse for 7 years and temping in many different practices, the cleans given by the dentists are usually sub-par compared to the hygienists. Hygienists are literally specialists in cleaning teeth, dentists just do it as one of those things within their job description. If it's an NHS clean, they're only cleaning around the inside of your front lower teeth, barely touching anywhere else as there isn't time, and they can't remove any staining because that's classed as "cosmetic" and is not covered under the NHS. Because of this, lots of people end up with untreated periodontal disease!

Perhaps every 9 months would be a good compromise? Over 3 years the cost would be the same as £60/appointment

Also consider shopping around your local area, you may find another dentist offers cheaper cleanings even if you want to stick with your current dentist for everything else

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Ok-Kitchen2768@reddit

My hygienist told me I only need once a year, I was going twice and I was like "oh wow you want less money from me, I guess I really don't need it!"

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audigex@reddit

Yeah if you brush thoroughly and at least try to floss/use interdental brushes, most people are fine with once a year as far as I can tell

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audigex@reddit

Yeah I found when mine was annual I didn't feel like it was "keeping on top of things" in quite the same way. I do my best but I've never been a great flosser and just can't seem to get to grips with doing a properly good job of it

I definitely notice the difference and haven't had a "new" filling since I switched (just an existing filling that fell out)

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h00dman@reddit

Well I last had it done before lockdown so...

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DarknessDesires@reddit

Twice a year. I have private dental through work for my husband and I at £40 a month. It includes two cleanings a year. Feels well worth it for me. I have dry mouth and it both helps with the symptoms and keeps my teeth in better health.

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ComputerSoup@reddit

didn’t go to the dentist for about 6 years, eventually paid a private one for a checkup & xray and they told me i was all good but could do with a quick polish.

quick polish caused immense pain and left me bleeding for days.

Indigo-Waterfall@reddit

3 times a year included in my denplan

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peachandbetty@reddit

Routine cleaning is a band 1 NHS treatment. You just have to ask.

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DanPos@reddit

I clean my teeth twice a die for free at home!

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Traditional-Ruin2860@reddit

I’d not been to a dentist for about 15 years, very rarely if ever floss, occasionally get sore gums. The mrs got me on at a dentist nearby when we moved so I actually went for a checkup expecting I’d needs loads of work done. Apparently my teeth were completely fine, no work needed and I’ve only ever had one filling as a kid. Never had mine professionally cleaned either 🤷‍♂️

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No_Whereas_5203@reddit

I have have had two teeth cleaned once and that's it. Never had one otherwise but I've never needed more than that. My dentist did just quickly do those two for me once.

Every 6 months.

My hygienist told me she had someone come to her every week. However, she didn't think they brushed or flossed on the other 6 days. So that's the other end of the spectrum for you!

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Halal_fun_5835@reddit

Currently once every 3 months for £92 a session.

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MJLDat@reddit

Every 6 months. Although 3 years ago I hadn’t been to dentist in 10 years so it was every 3 months to start.

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33backagain@reddit

I pay something like £20-25 per month for private dental that includes 2x check-ups and 2x hygienist per year (and any work that needs doing).

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BadDatesClub@reddit

Twice a year. £60 a go.

My teeth are quite crowded and brushing and flossing just doesn't reach some of the gaps. Its quite pleasurable actually and she does a great job!

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toroferney@reddit

Hygienist every three months. Worth it for me as I create plaque like you wouldn’t believe.

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Flash__PuP@reddit

Every 3 months at present. £110 a go. 😭

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Messiah94@reddit

Yearly

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PepperSpree@reddit

Once every 2 years is probably courting with a bit of danger, even with stellar oral hygiene practices. I’d say once a year is best preventative practice for healthy and uncompromised teeth.

No amount of diligent brushing and flossing reaches or deters plaque buildup below the gum line, which is where unseen troubles begin. Plus, it’s just wise to get nooks and crannies we may miss checked and given the all clear.

6 months up to a year max, me.

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melanie110@reddit

I lay £27 and every 6 months. Included in the check up. Is he offering you an additional service as mine charged me £96 on the first one but that’s because he used specialist whitening stuff and didn’t tell me until he had my mouth wide open. Now I tell him, standard scale and polish.

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richStoke@reddit

Should be twice a year but I tend to go once a

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AnneKnightley@reddit

Get mine cleaned as an add on but I had to switch to pay and go private and use insurance to help pay for it

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IndividualCurious322@reddit

I don't anymore. It used to be included in the checkup, but now they refer me to a hygienist, and it's almost £100.

Oh I thought you meant actually brushing my teeth

wingding456@reddit

Twice a year, on the same day as my checkup. But my dentist has an insurance scheme which covers the cost.

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addicted-2-cameltoe@reddit

Every 6 mnth. Essential to feel nice.

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robinthebum@reddit

Once a year - had it yesterday in fact. Mine was £99. Hardly feels worth it and to be honest I probably could stretch it to 1.5 years.

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PomPomBumblebee@reddit

1-2 times a year despite being told I don't really need it often. I just get build up on my lower front teeth and I like it off more often.

I work at a dentists, I rarely get a moment for a check up but I will happily take a hygienist appointment 1-2 times a year if they have a cancellation and I can get in there. It's often discounted or free and I don't have any problems with my teeth apart from needing the odd night guard so work is happy for me to get the odd clean if it fills the books.

PB_Jelly@reddit

Every 6 months..but I go private and have private dental insurance. Honestly to me it's worth it.

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blueskyswim@reddit

Child of the 70s here. Hygienist twice a year, £96 a time. The basic exam (paid separately) takes the dentist about 3 minutes.

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redunculuspanda@reddit

Dentist and hygienist twice a year. Fortunately work give me £100 a year towards dentist stuff.

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TytoCwtch@reddit

I see a private dentist and have insurance through denplan. Costs me £22 a month but I get two checkups per year including X-rays, and two hygienist appointments a year included. Plus 5% off any treatments and dental travel insurance.

When I first started it was expensive as I had a lot of work that needed doing but the last few years I haven’t needed any additional work doing because the quality of the fillings I got was a lot better than the NHS and the preventative care is so much better.

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I have never had a dentist undertake a cleaning of my teeth. That having been said I haven't visited a dentist in over 25 years.

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Dazzling-Ad6085@reddit

Every 3 months. I hate it so would rather pay to keep on top of it

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doteezworld@reddit

Go to Turkey and have a holiday too!

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bogyoofficial@reddit

Twice a year, £60 a visit.

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jake_folleydavey@reddit

Last time I had my teeth cleaned by a dentist was probably about 7/8 years ago.

I bought myself an ultrasonic cleaner instead and saved a load of money.

I simply couldn’t afford to go regularly just to be told I “need” extra things that costs extra money.

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MissEmma85@reddit

We are with an NHS dentist, we have never seen their hygienist. We visit the dentist every 6 months and he does a clean if needed there and then.

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notanadultyadult@reddit

My dentist does a clean when I get a check up. Not a full hygienist type clean but at least removes any build up and polishes them. Normally a clean and a check up are about £20 or so.

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AltruisticBeat8916@reddit

My NHS dentist wants me to see the hygienist every 3 months. They also have the problem that you can't book once so I end up with checkup appointments and hygienist appointments.

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