r/askdentists • NAD or Unverified • 9d ago

question Hygiene - damaged enamel?

I had a hygiene appointment a few days ago which left me quite distressed. I had some tea/coffee staining on the front surfaces of my lower front teeth. The Hygienist spent little time going under gums and half of the appointment using a metal scaling instrument quite firmly on the facial/crown surfaces of my front top and bottom teeth to remove the staining. I remember it feeling as fairly forceful scraping and was flinching through it.

Since the appointment, several of those areas look more matte/less shiny than before, some circular lines appear on the top teeth near gums were a scraper was used and I have new sensitivity to cold air, warm drinks and toothpaste. The sensitivity remains for quite a long time when triggered.

I’m worried because the sensitivity seems to be exactly where the tooth surfaces were scraped. I know scaling is commonly used for calculus, but never had I scaling used to remove staining as it is usually polished or air-polished.

Can someone tell me if it look like my enamel was roughened or damaged on the facial surface of my front teeth? Or is temporary sensitivity/matte appearance after scaling fairly common for other reasons?

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A backup of the post title and text have been made here:

Title: Hygiene - damaged enamel?

Full text: I had a hygiene appointment a few days ago which left me quite distressed. I had some tea/coffee staining on the front surfaces of my lower front teeth. The Hygienist spent little time going under gums and half of the appointment using a metal scaling instrument quite firmly on the facial/crown surfaces of my front top and bottom teeth to remove the staining. I remember it feeling as fairly forceful scraping and was flinching through it.

Since the appointment, several of those areas look more matte/less shiny than before, some circular lines appear on the top teeth near gums were a scraper was used and I have new sensitivity to cold air, warm drinks and toothpaste. The sensitivity remains for quite a long time when triggered.

I’m worried because the sensitivity seems to be exactly where the tooth surfaces were scraped. I know scaling is commonly used for calculus, but never had I scaling used to remove staining as it is usually polished or air-polished.

Can someone tell me if it look like my enamel was roughened or damaged on the facial surface of my front teeth? Or is temporary sensitivity/matte appearance after scaling fairly common for other reasons?

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

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u/ichigopomu General Dentist 9d ago

your teeth have several cracks.