That’s interesting about the balance your dentist mentioned—being too gentle versus not cleaning enough. I’m kind of the same way with routines, especially after any procedure. I always feel like if I miss a step, something will go wrong, even though logically I know that’s not how healing works most of the time.
I had a minor oral surgery last year and was super worried about infection too. I used saltwater rinses religiously, but at one point I was so focused on not disturbing the stitches that I barely touched the area with my brush. Ended up getting mild irritation anyway, probably because I wasn’t cleaning it well enough. After that, I started using a soft baby toothbrush and just tried to be careful but thorough. It actually helped a lot—less anxiety too, since I felt like I was doing something proactive.
Totally agree that having a plan makes it easier to manage the mental side of recovery, not just the physical part. Even if it’s a bit much sometimes, peace of mind counts for something.
