Had my Teeth Cleaned Without Nitrous

[2ndTimer]

The insurance doesn't pay for nitrous oxide so I have been paying myself.  Decided to try going without this time. Save $20!  And it didn't hurt at all.  I am amazed.

[Friar]

What do they clean your teeth with, a drill?

In all my years visiting the dentist I have never had to be given nitrous oxide to have my teeth cleaned... Sure, the polishing thing feels uncomfortable but for the 30 seconds it takes it doesn't impact my life very much.

[Gone Fishing]

Can you pay $20 and get the nitrous without the cleaning?

[MissStache]

Is that a thing??? I've never heard of nitrous being given for a cleaning. 

[Friar]

Can you pay $20 and get the nitrous without the cleaning?

You could get it much cheaper if you have a friend who is a barista.

[I'm a red panda]

Is that a thing??? I've never heard of nitrous being given for a cleaning.

I've only seen it at special "relaxation dentistry" practices.  Generally only people who have such difficult dental histories that they can barely make themselves walk into a dentist.

But yeah- I do not think nitrous for a cleaning is standard practice for most people.  But if the OP had been paying for it- good for him/her giving it up!

[Jakejake]

Sure, the polishing thing feels uncomfortable but for the 30 seconds it takes it doesn't impact my life very much.

It impacts my life even less - I get my teeth cleaned every 6 months religiously, but just opt out of the polishing, which isn't necessary for dental health.

[nanu]

Is that a thing??? I've never heard of nitrous being given for a cleaning.

+1

[2ndTimer]

Wow, I am fascinated that apparently most of the world doesn't use nitrous for cleaning.  Glad I overcame my wimphood.

Can you pay $20 and get the nitrous without the cleaning?  I didn't ask BUT since I live in WA State where mj is legal, I could have taken the $20 I saved and stopped at the Green Lady on the way home and had a very relaxed holiday weekend if I had felt like it.

[pachnik]

I've never heard of using nitrous for teeth cleaning.  Maybe if you are an anxious patient, it would be worth it.

[wordnerd]

Yeah, never heard of this for a cleaning, but good on you for opting out of your default. That's always an obstacle.

[Jack]

Wow, I am fascinated that apparently most of the world doesn't use nitrous for cleaning.  Glad I overcame my wimphood.

Can you pay $20 and get the nitrous without the cleaning?  I didn't ask BUT since I live in WA State where mj is legal, I could have taken the $20 I saved and stopped at the Green Lady on the way home and had a very relaxed holiday weekend if I had felt like it.

Sounds like people with that kind of issue should stop there on their way to the dentist!

Now, if only they had something to stop me from gagging when they try to shove that film in my mouth to do x-rays...

[I'm a red panda]

Now, if only they had something to stop me from gagging when they try to shove that film in my mouth to do x-rays...

Ask for pediatric x-rays. That's what my hygienist/dentist uses for me. Of course, she gagged me so badly on the regular ones I threw up on her...

[Jakejake]

Now, if only they had something to stop me from gagging when they try to shove that film in my mouth to do x-rays...

Mine has to coach me to breathe through my nose every time so I don't gag. breathe, breathe, breathe - it's hilarious, like she's my labor coach.

[3Mer]

If they offered nitrous for teeth cleaning at my dentist I would never miss a cleaning again.

[1967mama]

Oh my gosh, I hated that water spray cleaning too! I had it for the first time 5 years ago and felt like I was drowning. Never again! I've sure never heard of nitrous for a cleaning but I have been considering some sort of relaxation meds (atavan?) for dental work. I don't do very well with it since I had all of my amalgam fillings switched to white composite. Ugh! I was so unprepared for that and now any little dental issue seems like a major ordeal for me.

Edit for typo

[Telecaster]

Can you pay $20 and get the nitrous without the cleaning?

ha!

[iris lily]

I didn't go to the dentists for ten years. I don't have a real phobia, just a little one. My friend suggested I go in and ask for Nitrous (we shared a dentist back from the days I went to a dentist, so I know he did the gas.) So, I had that.  It certainly took the edge off the first few couple of cleanings. I asked them to turn down the gas, it was too much. I have since then once had a cleaning without the gas, but usually I ask for it, but it barely makes a difference.

lhamo, you should find a dentist that gives the gas. I have somewhat sensitive gums, but I don't think they are extremely sensitive.

And my teeth didn't suffer from no dental care for ten years, just to report. I've got really great teeth, less so the gums.

[Rosbif]

Wow, I am fascinated that apparently most of the world doesn't use nitrous for cleaning.  Glad I overcame my wimphood.

Can you pay $20 and get the nitrous without the cleaning?  I didn't ask BUT since I live in WA State where mj is legal, I could have taken the $20 I saved and stopped at the Green Lady on the way home and had a very relaxed holiday weekend if I had felt like it.

Sounds like people with that kind of issue should stop there on their way to the dentist!

Now, if only they had something to stop me from gagging when they try to shove that film in my mouth to do x-rays...

Put your left thumb inside a fist. Apparently that stops the gag reflex for lots of people.

http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/m6229/why_does_making_a_fist_with_your_left_hand_and/

[zephyr911]

I thought nitrous was pretty much out of use... hahaha. I haven't been sedated at a dentist since I was about 10. But I may be lucky. I've fallen asleep during fillings and they had to wake me up to open wider.

[thd7t]

I thought nitrous was pretty much out of use... hahaha. I haven't been sedated at a dentist since I was about 10. But I may be lucky. I've fallen asleep during fillings and they had to wake me up to open wider.

My last filling took 15 minutes.  I didn't even have time to get drowsy! 

[forummm]

Wow, I am fascinated that apparently most of the world doesn't use nitrous for cleaning.  Glad I overcame my wimphood.

Can you pay $20 and get the nitrous without the cleaning?  I didn't ask BUT since I live in WA State where mj is legal, I could have taken the $20 I saved and stopped at the Green Lady on the way home and had a very relaxed holiday weekend if I had felt like it.

Sounds like people with that kind of issue should stop there on their way to the dentist!

Now, if only they had something to stop me from gagging when they try to shove that film in my mouth to do x-rays...

Mine has hard edges that feel sharp and dig into my palate and gums. And they tell me to bite harder. Ow.

[partgypsy]

The only person I knew who has used nitrous was my little brother, who had a terrible gag reflex and would throw up when the dentist put his finger in his mouth, so they gave him that to work on when he was little.

I did use it when I got 4 wisdom teeth out at the same time. But I don't know if they gave me too much (I told them at one point to turn it down) it made me feel out of it in an uncomfortable way, and I also had tachycardia.

So when I broke a tooth under the gum line, when they were removing it I told them no nitrous (just a shot in the gum to numb the pain) and it was fine.

[Dicey]

I'd be worried about long term effects. I've never had it, even when all four wisdom teeth were removed. I need all the brain cells I have and then some.

[Sloeginfizz]

On me the nitrous has the opposite effect as intended. It makes me feel like I'm being asphyxiated. When I had an implant, the oral surgeon insisted I had to do the nitrous. It was like a panic attack where I couldn't really move. It was awful, until the IV Versed kicked in and the world just went away. Never doing that again.

[Bob W]

http://freakonomics.com/2008/03/11/is-tooth-cleaning-a-scam/

I'm 55 and have never had teeth cleaning at a dental office.   I brush often, floss and water pick.   People have commented that I have a great smile.   So I was amazed to google that 75% of people reported having their teeth cleaned in the last year.   My teeth are in remarkably good shape for something so old that have been used several times each day.   Probably been 10 years since I have even been to a dentist.

I drink tea frequently throughout the day and tea is high in fluoride. 

I did found and lead an oral health preventative program for grade school kids called Bright Smiles that won the state public health award.    The program included in school brushing and disclosing tablets.   I also promoted and successfully implemented a voter approved fluoridation initiative in our community.  So I'm not a complete idiot.   I'm also not a dental health researcher by profession. 

Would be happy to reconsider my N1 success if someone can point me to a good study that shows teeth cleaning benefits outweigh the costs and risks?

[partgypsy]

There may be individual differences. My husband neglected to go to the dentist for 10 years, and still only needed a light cleaning (the other hygienist pulled the other one to look at his teeth). He doesn't floss but uses a toothpick after meals. For me I skipped cleanings for 3 years, and then had to have 3 deep cleanings in a row, and have to go about every 9 months because of tartar buildup. So it could be genetic, or that I like sweets while my husband doesn't really eat sweets. Who knows. But I know if I neglect regular cleanings I will regret it. On the upside my teeth are pretty white and not prone to cavities.