Tag Archives: hygienist

I Had My Teeth Cleaned By A Dental Hygienist Today — For The First Time In Nearly 4 Years.

by Anura Guruge
on February 14, 2023


Click to ENLARGE (if YOU dare). I am SORRY it is NOT a pretty sight, & luckily one that people never have to see.

My dentist, Dr. Paul Singh in ‘Gilford’, New Hampshire.


I have an aversion to dentists in general — the current one, a very nice gentleman who we have been seeing for over a decade the one exception.

But, then again dentists don’t like me either, for two very good reasons. As one U.S. dentist told me, point blank, nearly 30 years ago: “I will never make any money from your teeth”. I have teeth like a horse (& haven’t had a cavity in decades). The other reason is that I bitch & moan incessantly.

About 4 years ago I stopped going to the dentist. Bang. No cleanings, no X-rays, no check-ups. Nothing. Just as if I was living in a village in Ceylon. But, as some of you know, as does my dentist, I am, however, obsessive about my oral/dental health. I don’t want any problems BECAUSE then I would have to go see a dentist. My logic, as always, is impeccable. I brush, v. diligently, twice a day & use mouthwash (though sparingly because I think mouthwash can cause diabetes). I use ‘good’ toothpaste.

I did go & see my dentist, last May, because I wanted X-rays taken. My teeth & gums were OK — maybe even fine. But, he was insistent that I get them professionally cleaned. So, I finally relented. I had them cleaned today. I did NOT enjoy it though the hygenist, who we know, was as NICE as possible. I just don’t like things done inside my mouth.

Well, I survived. I even agreed to come back in a year’s time. Given today was Valentine’s Day — we made next year’s appointment on the same day. Easy enough to remember. Same time, same day.

I learned something NEW about mouthwash though they didn’t know that I learnt that. SMILE. I will share it with you once I have done a bit more research.

I really, really, really must do some research into how many people WORLDWIDE get their teeth cleaned.

I Have NOT Had My Teeth Cleaned By A Dental Hygienist In Over 3 Years, BUT Per My Dentist They Are ‘OK’!

by Anura Guruge
on May 19, 2022


Click to ENLARGE (if YOU dare). I am SORRY it is NOT a pretty sight, & luckily one that people never have to see.

Close to 30 years (if not more) I would dutifully visit a dentist at least twice a year to get my teeth cleaned & checked out. It was ALL cosmetic. During all that time I never had a filling or dental procedure — bar having to have a crown glued own when I broke a chip in a back tooth crunching on a hard candy. That was it.

Yes, I have teeth like a horse. And as one dentist, famously & telling said: “I will never make any money from your teeth“. They would take X-rays BUT find no cavities. So, other than the X-rays all I was having done was the teeth cleaning — which in my case involved a LOT of scraping (given the VAST quantities of red wine I consume). I hated having my teeth scraped.

So, about 3.5 years ago I decided I am NOT going to get my teeth cleaned.

I was going NATIVE. If I was back in Ceylon (now (bankrupt) Sri Lanka) I would not be getting my teeth cleaned. So, heck with it.

So, I went over 3 years without getting my teeth cleaned.

But, I will confess that I am somewhat obsessive about oral hygiene. I spend close to 20 minutes a day on my teeth & gums. So, my teeth do get looked after quite.

Well, on Tuesday I finally went back to my (dear (Indian sikh)) dentist BUT with the firm proviso: “no cleaning, just X-rays & a check-up“. And that is what happened. They took a FULL X-ray. No cavities. Nothing. Teeth are fine (as I expected). Yes, there is some plaque build-up, but that was to be expected. My gums were GOOD. I was delighted about that. He did the ‘gum pocket’ test & was impressed. So, was I. So, that is where we stand.

Yes, an hygienist could take out some of that build up around the gum line. But, that requires scraping. I hate scraping.

Per my dentist (who is very good), I am in good shape. Yes, I need to maintain my regimen — which I will, I will. So, we agreed that I will come & see him again in 3 years. SMILE. No cleanings. SMILE.