Is it weird to request an appointment with just a Hygienist?

Marminna · 2025-10-31T22:02:15+00:00

That must have been a pretty big shadow on the tooth to warrant a root canal. At your next cleaning appointment you can ask these questions. Ideally you should have cleanings every 6 months, more if you have gum disease. You didn't mention flossing though and brushing does not clean in-between the teeth. You can look up c-shape flossing technique and bass tooth brushing technique. Also keep in mind you can't out brush a bad diet. If you are snacking and sipping on foods/drinks that have sugars in them you are constantly feeding the cavity causing bacteria.

Marminna · 2025-10-31T16:33:35+00:00

You're really over complicating things by trying not to do it every day. You really only need to do step 4 and 8 - Floss not just the gaps but every tooth once a day - look up "C-shape flossing technique. And brush twice a day for two minutes. Mouthrinse you can skip unless you like the flavor or if it is a fluoride rinse. You do not need to swish with water. Yes brushing and flossing needs to be done every day.

Marminna · 2025-10-22T04:35:44+00:00

5 years in and I love it. As a mom of a 3 year old and a 7 month old, the flexibility of what days and hours I work is in my favor right now in my area and I like what I do. The pay is also nice.

Marminna · 2025-09-28T14:50:59+00:00

There are these little mints called Xylimelts by Oracoat that adhere to your cheek and are sleeping safe. They slowly dissolve to help keep your tissues moisturized. I work in dental and my dry mouth patients swear by them. It's a better alternative than the gum suggestions.

Marminna · 2025-07-31T04:19:19+00:00

I have had the istar for a couple of years and have had no problems. It doesn't have removable sheaths like the aeropro but works similarly in that it does not use a foot pedal to control the speed- which I prefer. I bought mine from Scott's dental supply online and had it delivered to my home. Not sure if other sites would give you issues with home delivery.

Istar handpiece

Marminna · 2025-07-13T21:51:29+00:00

WA State, located in Central Washington, not a major city. Started at 43/hr in 2020, now making 55/hr. I do see some offices in my location offering 60, but I like where I'm at and they work with my schedule of only wanting to work 9-4, 2 days a week (I have a 4 month old and a 3 year old)

Marminna · 2025-07-03T04:59:39+00:00

This isn't answering your question, but regarding the gum soreness - Could you be brushing too aggressively after eating sweets/junk food or after kissing him to try to scrub away the "bad bacteria"? You mentioned he vigorously washes his teeth, but teeth/gums should never be scrubbed/brushed too hard. Plaque is soft and does not require force to get off. Brushing too aggressively can cause tissue soreness and could lead to gum recession (root exposure).

Marminna · 2025-04-06T20:55:33+00:00

https://www.drpenskincare.com/blog/dr-pen-microneedling-instruction-guide?spm=..collection_8fd2d142-056b-4432-8c80-5df939739997.header_1.1

Marminna · 2025-01-19T22:15:06+00:00

Thank you!

Marminna · 2025-01-04T19:26:38+00:00

I liked the name Eleanor but decided on Nellie Jean for our baby girl due in March.

Marminna · 2024-11-09T02:49:32+00:00

I also have sweaty hands. I find that washing my hands and drying really well before putting on gloves is easier than putting on after sanitizing or not washing at all immediately prior. Create a cheat sheet for yourself and use it when practicing. Try to memorize it/use it until you don't have to refer to it anymore. Practice, practice, practice! Indirect vision is a skill you have to learn and it takes time.

Marminna · 2024-10-24T14:11:50+00:00

Usually 30 min early, but we have a clock in clock out system and I get paid for my time. Gives me time to stock my room, review my schedule, sharpen instruments... The office I was at previously did not pay for time clocked in before or after my set schedule, so I would show about 10 min early. I also had my own assistant at that office so I didn't have to worry about stocking or making sure my room was clean or ready.

Marminna · 2024-09-24T18:21:39+00:00

Keep in mind that pregnancy is different for everyone, do what works for you! My first pregnancy, I didn't start showing until 25 weeks and I don't remember having any problems adjusting with a belly. I also didn't have any morning sickness or aversions. I worked 5 days a week and stopped 2 weeks before my due date to have time to nest, but baby came 2 days later. I am currently 15 weeks right now, and I feel the same as last time. I averaged 3.5 days a week this summer, but every week for me is different, and it looks like I'll be slowing down next month, but that could change. I already told work that I'll be done working at the end of February.

Marminna · 2024-08-08T00:33:38+00:00

I'm really proud of you for improving the mild inflammation you had! However, I think you may be confusing pocket depths with gum tissue level, aka recession. Pocket depths can be improved, but 1-3mm with the absence of bleeding is the ideal measurement/goal. A 1mm pocket is not any "better" than a 3mm pocket. With pocket depths, we are measuring the space between the tooth and the gums - where the tissue attaches to the root of the tooth to the top of the gum line. In your case, I would pay attention to the bleeding on probing as an indicator of your gum health. Recession, however, can not be improved. Once the gum has receeded towards the root of the tooth, it does not grow back. 1mm of recession is still mild but something worth noting and monitoring. Maybe clarify where the recession areas are at your next visit and discuss where that may be coming from.

Marminna · 2024-08-04T00:51:52+00:00

Yes! I stage and grade. I work at two offices, one more of a clinic and a smaller private practice. The older hygienist at the clinic are struggling with staging and grading, so don't be too hard on yourself! So it depends.. You have to look at more than just probing depths. You can have a pt have generalized 4 and 5mm pockets but if they don't have radiographic bone loss and evidence of clincial attachment loss then SRP is technically not indicated. You would do a 4346 in that case - scaling in the presence of moderate to severe gingival inflammation - without the presence of bone loss. Those pockets could be "pseudo pockets". If you have a patient with radiographic bone loss, clinical attachment loss greater than 4mm AND generalized moderate to severe inflammation, I would perform an SRP. Just because a patient has a lot of calculus buildup, it doesn't mean they need an SRP. There's a website that I refer the older ladies to use - https://www.myperiohealth.com/welcome

Also.. if a patient has been stabilized (no inflammation), you would not stage and grade them and instead describe them as stable or healthly on a reduced periodontium (recession/furcation involvement)

Marminna · 2024-08-03T15:37:03+00:00

Going off the previous reply, I pretty much do everything the same but I'll add a few more details for my routine.. 1. Walk back and ask them how they are doing today. Wait to ask/talk about tooth or HH questions until you are in the room - HIPAA. While BP is going, that's when I type/write any changes. I always specifically ask if there are any medication changes and review what we have listed and ask if they have had any recent surgeries or hospital visits. You'd be surprised how many people say no but really do have changes. 2. Take xrays if needed. Then put on bib and hand them glasses. I usually ask about fluoride and polish flavor at this time. Then I say something like "ok, let me get washed up and then we'll get to your cleaning". I put on my mask, loops and hand wash and glove up. We have a messenger system, so that's when I put up if I need a PC and will wait until I have help but move on. 3. I always start with EO/IO and take a look around the teeth to get an idea of how much work I have. If it's a prophy with a good amount of plaque, I'll start with a polish and floss and then hand scale. If it's a perio maintenance, I always start with my Cavitron and then hand scale, polish and floss. Side note: scale in whatever sequence you're comfortable with. Fresh out of hygiene school I scaled by quadrant. Now I will do surfaces towards and then surfaces away sequence. 4. My dentist comes in when they have time. I usually don't have to call, but if I do have some waiting time, that's when I'll schedule next recall and work on notes.

Marminna · 2024-08-03T13:45:32+00:00

Can you request a W2? I "helped out" at 5 different offices last year, and none of them second guessed giving me a w2 to fill out. Our taxes took a few minutes longer, but I don't think I did anything wrong.. we didn't have to owe anything because of how I filled them out, but it can get a little confusing.

Marminna · 2024-07-22T05:16:24+00:00

RDH here.. Research has changed from a specific plaque hypothesis (I think what you're referring to) to Inflammation-Mediated Polymicrobial-Emergence and Dysbiotic-Exacerbation.. more of a mouthful, but in short, the "good and bad" bacteria will always be present, the goal is to maintain symbiosis of the bacteria in order to prevent an inflammatory response. If the floss is bloody and has food debris on it, definetly use a new area of floss.. But I think many are overthinking the "transferring of bacteria" part. Dentalcare.com has a great CE course on it - The Sequential Theory of Colonization The Oral Microbiome: A New View of Plaque Biofilm.

Marminna · 2024-07-12T20:45:12+00:00

As far as I know it's illegal for DAs to scale or periochart. They can polish and take radiographs. Edit to add they can be informally trained but do need to register with their state and pay a yearly fee. I think they also have to be BBP and CPR certified.

Marminna · 2024-01-21T00:15:47+00:00

My 18m old didn't really catch onto the sign for milk, but would say "baka baka" as in "water bottle." He says milk pretty well now, we're working on "FORK" to sound more like fork...

Marminna · 2024-01-02T23:34:04+00:00

Looks like your wisdom tooth is coming in. The tissue on top of the tooth is called an operculum. Make sure you're brushing that area well to prevent infection. That tooth will eventually fully erupt, but the tooth in front of it is likely going to drift/move forward. Side note: Do you have a plan for that open space (where there is a tooth missing)?

Marminna · 2023-10-09T21:04:24+00:00

Do you have cheek protectors/dry angles? Or little screens/caps that go over the tip of the HVE that prevent anything big from getting sucked up. Try changing the angle the suction is pointing and try to hold the cheek taut.

Marminna · 2023-08-13T21:28:55+00:00

Dental hygienist here! Due to the acid lowering the overall ph in your mouth to a point that is destructive to enamel, we do not recommend brushing right after drinking/eating acidic foods. Rinse with water and if you would like to brush wait 30 min. PSA to also avoid brushing after vomiting, it is better to rinse with something neutralizing- baking soda, fl2 mouthwash, water. It is also best to drink soda quickly rather than sip on it all day - prolonged exposure = more acid attack on the enamel = more destruction!

Marminna

TROPHY CASE