Many people often find going to the dentist a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you don’t understand what is being said.
Most dentists do an excellent job of explaining to their patients whether their teeth are in good or bad shape.
They understand that you (probably) didn’t spend five years studying at dental school and will need things explained in simple terms.
However, sometimes things might go straight over your head. Did they say a bunch of numbers out loud during your last visit while prodding your teeth and gums – and you didn’t have a clue what was going on?
Now a dentist has shared the ‘secret’ codes they use ‘behind your back’ – so you can know exactly what’s happening, reports the Mirror.
London-based dentist Dr Onkar Mudhar took to TikTok to share “what the code means”. “You come to see us, the dentists, and we poke around your gums and we save a few numbers,” he explained
“One, two, three or four. Sometimes it hurts and you get angry at us, because it doesn’t feel nice, other times it’s not really a problem, but I know you’re thinking, ‘what are they saying about me?’.”
Dr Mudhar continued to explain “what they mean and essentially why we’re talking in code behind your back”. According to him, during your checkup, a professional will use a “ball-ended” gum probe, which is blunt, to “poke along your gums”.
So, the best thing you can hear when your dentist is poking your gum is zero, which, according to Dr Mudhar, means it’s “healthy” as can be. If you hear a number one, it means “you’ve got bleeding in the gaps, which is caused by inflammation”.
He continued: “A number two means you’ve got a bit of build-up along the teeth, similar to limescale in the kettle.”
If the dentist says three, it means “there’s a bit more bleeding and a bit more inflammation”, and that you should “improve your oral hygiene routine as soon as possible”.
What you definitely don’t want to hear is four, which “means full blown gum disease”.
The dentist warned this means you “need to see a specialist or get your dentist to start treating that for you before it progresses”.
He also added that if you experience any pain, this is because your “gums are inflamed”, not because “someone’s being rough or heavy handed.”
Dr Mudhar added: “This isn’t sharp, it can’t traumatise the gums. It’s actually blunt.”
If you do feel “lost in the code when chatting to your dentist”, Dr Mudhar urged people to tell your dentist – especially if you’re in pain during the checkup and don’t know why.