Bit shocked Sanding between teeth during hygienist appointment. Is it safe?

[SarahR]

The hygienist sanded between my lower teeth. Is that to get rid of plaque or enamel? I’ve never had it done before and don’t think I would have agreed to it if I’d been asked. I think he was in a rush… Will it make my teeth move around?

 

[Dr M]

What did he use to "sand" between your teeth?

 

[SarahR]

He didn’t say but I think it was some sort of filing thing. It was at the very end of the appointment (which was short - don’t know if this is because he overran with previous patient) and he mentioned making space. It was after he had done the plaque removal and cleaning/polish.
It happened very quickly and before I knew what had happened it was done.
I have a lot of Jaw issues and my tongue keeps touching the area which now feels different and I’ve woken up with an awful headache.
I’m also wondering if by “making space” the other teeth will move into the centre and alter my bite. There’s already a tendency for this to happen.
I’m shocked because I didn’t even know this was a thing.
By the way, he said I had minimal plaque but there tends to be a little bit between my lower front teeth.

 

[Dr M]

This sounds like IPR or interproximal stripping that was done and this is usually only done as part of an orthodontic treatment plan, since the teeth will move slightly. Don't know why the hygienist did this. Sounds strange to me. I doubt your bite will be affected if it was only a little bit of stripping done, and any sensitivity will most likely disappear after a few days. But still-this is only done as part of an orthodontic treatment plan.

 

[SarahR]

There are a couple of things that have been done at the dentist that I’m not happy about but it’s difficult to bring those things up - having someone work on my teeth can make me feel quite vulnerable.
The dentist is quite specialised and it’s difficult to find dentists (my last practice had a different dentist every time I went)
I’m wondering if the hygienist did it to make his job easier. The other thing that happened was because the dentist was in a rush…
I’m wondering if I should contact the dentist to let him know I’m having problems with my bite after the hygienist appointment and ask what it was the hygienist used.
It might make it awkward going back but I feel like I want to say something

 

[SarahR]

I’m wondering if my front lower tooth is sore because it has become a bit wobbly. It was very solid/stable before.
I’m so upset about this. It would have been better if the hygienist had asked me before doing something irreversible. It’s the sort of thing going from past experience I wouid definitely have said no to.

 

[Dr M]

The mobility of your front tooth might be unrelated. I would need to see an x-ray to comment about this. You might only notice it now, since you are more conscious about your front teeth after your visit to the hygienist. If you feel you should mention something to the dentist, then do it.

 

[SarahR]

Thanks. I feel awkward because they’re a close team and online reviews have mentioned defensiveness but I feel like I should say something.
My lower teeth feel irritatingly different and very sensitive and my face is very sore and puffy and I have a headache and weird “nervy” feeling. Not what I’d expect after a hygienist appointment where probably not even five minutes was spent removing plaque.
I’ve been told previously I notice small things that others don’t - so I would never have agreed to this had I been asked.
I was thinking I might just ask the dentist if anything can be done to reduce the sensitivity and ask him what was used on my teeth.
Thanks for your time and advice.

 

[SarahR]

The mobility of your front tooth might be unrelated. I would need to see an x-ray to comment about this. You might only notice it now, since you are more conscious about your front teeth after your visit to the hygienist. If you feel you should mention something to the dentist, then do it.

Hello, I just thought I’d update you. I saw the dentist yesterday and he said the hygienist probably used polishing strips between my lower teeth (he didn’t know for sure as there was no note of it).
He recommended a remineralising toothpaste (one that’s ok for people with sensitivities) and gave me two lots of ultraez desensitising gel (I think he said it’s a sealant). He said to brush my lower teeth with it last thing at night and not rinse and to put some in the night guard I use on my upper teeth.
I looked up the instructions last night and they say not to use it at night so I didn’t. But I’m going to use some now.
I’m still feeling really uncomfortable with pain in my teeth, forehead, nasal area, jaw, cheeks and face/head generally and also feeling very jittery. I’m hoping it goes away as I don’t think I can cope with this long term. I’m trying not to feel angry as I don’t think it will help the situation but it’s difficult as I didn’t ask for the procedure and as far as I can make out it was completely unnecessary.
I forgot to tell the dentist I’ve had a terrible taste in my mouth since seeing the hygienist - I hope that’s not important.
Again, thanks for your advice. It has helped as I’m feeling very down.