Yeah, room-temp water was a lifesaver early on. Saltwater helped me too, but honestly, once things got really sore, gels were the only thing that actually let me eat without wincing. And forget salsa—couldn't even look at ketchup for a while...
"And forget salsa—couldn't even look at ketchup for a while..."
Haha, totally feel you on the ketchup thing... had a similar experience with orange juice—ouch. Did you find any toothpaste brands that were gentler during that phase?
I get the toothpaste angle, but honestly, switching brushes made a bigger difference for me. Soft bristles were a lifesaver... toothpaste didn't matter as much. Might be worth trying if you haven't yet?
Totally agree about the brush switch—soft bristles can make a huge difference. A lot of people underestimate how much pressure they're using, too. Even with soft bristles, brushing gently in small circles rather than scrubbing back and forth helps a ton. Saltwater rinses are great for calming inflammation temporarily, but if sensitivity sticks around, an OTC gel with potassium nitrate can really help calm those nerves down. Worth trying both approaches together, honestly... they've helped a lot of my patients get relief.
"Saltwater rinses are great for calming inflammation temporarily, but if sensitivity sticks around, an OTC gel with potassium nitrate can really help calm those nerves down."
Definitely agree potassium nitrate gels can be effective, but I've found they're not always a long-term fix. Sometimes sensitivity is actually a sign of underlying gum recession or enamel erosion. If that's the case, gels and rinses might mask the symptoms temporarily, but won't address the root cause. Might be worth checking in with a dentist to rule out anything more serious... better safe than sorry.
