Hi all. I need a dentist or hygienist's advice please. So I've had periodontal/gum issues for as long as I can remember. I only recently, within the past yr or so, started flossing daily. Surprisingly, I am still quite keen to dental hygiene as I've been around to many dentists. My cleanings have always taken 40min or longer whether I had insurance or paid out-of-pocket. Actually it's usually a miracle if I don't get suggested for a borderline deep cleaning/periodontal scaling because I have pockets usually greater than 3, and I'm not just talking about my back molars either.
For the first time last year my then new hygienist didn't say anything about a deep cleaning & just told me to floss more. I never accurately mention to a new hygienist that I am a former or ongoing "periodontal sufferer" or that I know these things; I play dumb. I want a non-biased opinion. Anyways, he didn't tell me my anticipated, "U have high pockets. If they don't improve u will either need a deep cleaning or 4 regular cleanings every 3 months instead of 2 every 6 months." That's a first. Yet despite all of this my teeth cleanings have always lasted 40min or longer.
Today I went out of pocket with a new hygienist bc my current dental insurance sucks and is more of a discount dental plan than insurance. Once again, I'm seasoned and those are the worst. I once got a 15min cleaning with no scraping bc the hygienist didn't want to bother bc she wasn't gonna get paid enough through the discount dental program despite it stating 2 cleanings are included. I hadn't seen a hygienist or flossed in over 6 months, so I knew. True story. My cleaning today lasted like some 25min.
I honestly believe she either did a lazy half ass job or my pockets & gum health has literally improved so drastically, within 6 months since my last meticulous good cleaning that ok, maybe like the small percentage of the population that flosses 2x a day with zero gum issues, that I too, have become one of these urban legends within the past year! I seriously doubt it. She told me she got everything and that I didn't have a lot and asked if my teeth felt clean. Honey, if I would have brushed my own teeth instead of paying u $80 they would still feel clean. For $80 I expect 40min minimum. I just don't believe her based on my experiences... Would you?
I only bring all of this up bc honestly if she does a shitty half ass job plaque will build up, harden & when I actually do go to a legit hygienist in the future, he or she will tell me I need a deep cleaning at that point. Like I said I've been around. Any thoughts? Thank you in advance MMMers.