Dental care discussions and local services.
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RE: How do you get your kids to actually brush their teeth?
Timers really do the trick, don’t they? My grandkids love turning over the hourglass, and suddenly it’s a race to brush until the last grain drops. I used to think all those reward charts were a bit much, but honestly, a...
RE: GETTING THROUGH THE DENTIST CHAIR WITHOUT PANIC - ANYONE TRIED SEDATION?
Weighted blankets are a game changer for me too. I’ve tried the nitrous, and honestly, it just made my arms feel weird. Didn’t do much for the nerves. But once the hygienist draped that heavy blanket over me, I could act...
RE: LOOSE TEETH AND BLEEDING GUMS AFTER NEWS ABOUT MOUTHWASH?
You know, I’ve wondered the same thing - why does one person’s mouthwash miracle turn into another’s nightmare? I tried a few over the years, and honestly, some of them left my gums feeling like I’d gargled with hot sauc...
RE: Keeping your tongue scraper from becoming a science experiment
Those white spots drive me nuts, too. I tried an ultrasonic cleaner a while back - honestly, it did a better job than just scrubbing, but I still had to wipe off some stubborn bits. Maybe it’s just the hard water in my a...
RE: Making recovery from jaw surgery less miserable - what actually helped?
I totally get where you’re coming from about the recliner making things worse in some ways. But I actually found it did more good than harm for me. I had a lot of swelling and just couldn't get comfortable in bed, no mat...
RE: The great dental quest: searching for planet-friendly floss
I tried that black charcoal floss too, hoping it’d be a game-changer. Instead, I ended up picking out little black bits for ages - felt like I’d been chewing on burnt toast. I get wanting to be eco-friendly, but honestly...
RE: How did you cope after a chipped or knocked-out tooth?
Funny you mention the milk thing - I always thought that was just some weird old wives’ tale too, until my granddaughter’s dentist actually recommended it when she knocked out a baby tooth. Did your dentist say anything ...
RE: That first week after wisdom teeth removal… did anyone else swear by ice packs?
Definitely had the same issue. I remember using a bag of corn once and it felt like my cheek was about to freeze off. The gel packs were a bit gentler in my experience, maybe because they don’t get rock solid? Still, not...
RE: That first week after wisdom teeth removal… did anyone else swear by ice packs?
Ice packs were a lifesaver for me, too - especially that first night when my cheeks felt like balloons. I remember thinking the “48 hours” rule sounded kind of arbitrary, but honestly, icing did seem to help with the swe...
RE: WHEN YOUR GUMS START WHISPERING BEFORE THEY SHOUT
That line cracked me up - felt the same after switching flossers. Ever tried those soft rubber sticks? My dentist suggested them and they’re easier on stiff fingers. Did your gums settle down after the switch, or still a...
RE: Best way to get the most out of fluoride: paste or rinse first?
That “don’t rinse after brushing” advice took me a while to get used to too. I always want to swish water after, but my hygienist swears it helps the fluoride work better if you just spit. I used to worry about leftover ...
RE: Best way to get the most out of fluoride: paste or rinse first?
That chalky mouth thing is the worst, right? I tried skipping the rinse too - felt like my teeth were wearing sweaters. I figure as long as you’re not rinsing with a whole glass of water, some fluoride must stick around....
RE: Kid Knocked Out a Tooth - What Should I Have Ready at Home?
That fear of doing the “wrong” thing really sticks with you, doesn’t it? I remember when my grandson knocked his front tooth out at the playground - total panic. I didn’t have any fancy kit or special solution, just a sh...
RE: Best way to get the most out of fluoride: paste or rinse first?
Honestly, I spent years rinsing right after brushing because the minty taste bugged me too. But my hygienist said leaving a bit of paste gives the fluoride more time to work. At first, it felt wrong, but I got used to it...
RE: Weird sensations after getting braces off - how to make it less awkward?
Yeah, I totally get what you mean about the lisp and extra saliva - felt like I was learning to talk all over again for a bit. Did you ever notice your tongue just didn’t know where to go at first? That drove me nuts. I ...