Dental care discussions and local services.
amandapaws650
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Consistent cleanings: worth the hassle?
I get why people stick to the six-month thing, but honestly, with braces I had to go in way more often anyway. After all that, I started stretching out cleanings to once a year. Haven’t had any major issues so far - mayb...
RE: The day my tongue cleaner became a secret weapon
I get where you’re coming from. When I first got my braces, I was so worried about doing everything “by the book” that changing up the order felt weird. But honestly, I started scraping after brushing just because it fel...
RE: Best ways to deal with that "just pulled a tooth" feeling?
Jaw pain after extractions is super common - my jaw was sore for a couple days just from being propped open. I actually waited until the next morning to do the salt water rinse, since my oral surgeon said not to mess wit...
RE: New pain relief options after root tip surgery - anyone else see this?
Yeah, the “no straws” thing tripped me up too - who knew something that small could make such a difference? I’ve started keeping a sticky note on my fridge with all the dos and don’ts. Pain-wise, I found alternating Tyle...
RE: Baking soda vs. coconut oil: which one actually works for a whiter smile?
Same here. Tried oil pulling for a couple weeks, but honestly, the only thing that changed was my patience level - got tired of swishing way before I noticed anything with my teeth. Baking soda’s been my go-to when I wan...
RE: Teeth slightly crooked and it's driving me nuts
Totally get what you mean about the cleaning routine - it’s like you suddenly have this new chore, and it’s way more involved than just brushing your teeth. I started with aligners a few months back, and in the beginning...
RE: Quick hacks to brighten teeth by morning?
I've tried coconut oil pulling a few times, but honestly, didn't notice much difference for whitening. It did feel soothing though, especially when my gums were irritated after getting braces tightened. Sensitive toothpa...
RE: Eating comfortably when your mouth feels like a construction zone
Totally relate to the scrambled egg struggle. I found that the cooking method made a huge difference for me too. For example, mashed potatoes were always recommended by my ortho, but regular mashed potatoes still felt we...
RE: Getting kids to floss - what tricks actually work?
Haha, abstract art indeed... sounds familiar. Sticker charts were hit-or-miss for us, but honestly, just keeping floss picks handy by the sink made a huge difference. Less hassle, less mess. You're right though - whateve...
RE: Curious about recovery time after tooth extraction and implants
Phantom sensations are definitely weird, had them myself after my extraction. For me, it took closer to three weeks before they completely stopped - guess everyone's brain adjusts differently. Pillow forts though... soun...
RE: struggling with pain after bone graft - anyone else dealing with this?
Haha, same here. I learned pretty fast that being overly ambitious with food just wasn't worth it. The pillow throne setup is spot-on too - I think I slept sitting halfway up for at least three nights. Hang in there, you...
RE: fluoride in toothpaste - do you worry about it?
I've had irritation issues before and thought fluoride was the culprit, but turns out it was actually the SLS. Once I switched to an SLS-free toothpaste (still fluoridated though), things improved pretty quickly. Makes m...
RE: My dentist convinced me to switch to electric - now I'm lost in toothbrush land
Yeah, totally relate to this. Once I stopped obsessing over the app, brushing felt way more natural again. I noticed I actually brush better without the pressure of tracking every move - less rushed, more thorough. Now I...
RE: finally brace-free - how would you mark the occasion?
I remember that sensitivity phase too - chips were the worst for me, felt like chewing glass at first. Weirdly enough, popcorn was fine after a few days. Did anyone else find certain foods unexpectedly easier or harder t...
RE: How Did You Find a Good Dentist for Your Kid?
Haha, Mario Kart definitely beats staring at outdated magazines. When I got braces as a teen, my orthodontist's office had a similar setup - TVs overhead, comfy chairs, and even headphones to drown out the drilling sound...