Dental care discussions and local services.
charlesevans400
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: How long did your bridge replacement actually take?
That’s frustrating. I had a similar issue when I got my bridge - digital scan sounded great, but they ended up doing the old-school mold anyway. Insurance was also the biggest holdup for me, and I think it added almost a...
RE: WHY DOES RED WINE ALWAYS FIND THE LIGHT COUCH?
I’ve tried those waterproof throws on our couch and honestly, they’re better than slipcovers for staying in place, but not perfect. My kid still manages to bunch them up when he’s jumping around. At least they’re easier ...
RE: What signs help you identify poor aligner tracking early?
For me, the first red flag was when an aligner wouldn’t fully “click” onto my teeth, especially around one stubborn molar. Also, if you notice a tray feeling loose or your teeth stop hurting after switching trays way too...
RE: Sealants for Kids: When Did Your Dentist Recommend Them?
That “arbitrary cutoff” thing bugs me too. I asked about sealants last year, and my dentist gave pretty much the same explanation you mentioned. It’s weird how adult teeth don’t get the same attention, especially when re...
RE: Tricks for feeling good about a “toothy” smile?
I relate to this way too much. I spent years analyzing every picture, picking apart the angle of my lips and how much gum showed. Got braces in my late 20s mostly because I thought it would “fix” my smile. Honestly, it c...
RE: Keeping your mouth clean after dental work: new study says we might be overdoing it?
Saltwater rinses are seriously underrated. I was convinced I needed all these fancy mouthwashes after getting my braces, but honestly, the plain stuff worked best. Tried being “extra clean” once and just ended up with so...
RE: Coping With That Annoying Dry Socket Pain After Tooth Extraction
Dry socket is honestly the worst - I had it after my lower left wisdom tooth came out last year. That deep, radiating pain just doesn’t compare to normal post-extraction soreness. The clove stuff (I think it’s called eug...
RE: Electric Toothbrushes vs. Manual for Kids: Which Actually Works Better?
From what I’ve seen with my own kids, the electric brush timer does help them stick it out a bit longer, but it’s not a magic fix. If I’m not watching, they’ll still try to sneak off early or just mess around with it. I ...
RE: How I deal with a busted tooth until I can see the dentist
I get the hesitation with those kits, but I’ve actually had decent luck with them - at least for temporary fixes. Lost a bracket once and used one to keep things from scraping up my cheek until my ortho could see me. The...
RE: Which one actually gets your teeth cleaner: blasting with water or good ol’ string floss?
I’m in braces right now, so threading regular floss is a hassle - I use those little floss threaders and it still takes forever. Water flosser definitely saves time, but I notice if I skip string floss for even a couple ...
RE: Keeping dental implants clean: what’s worked (and not worked) for you?
I get where you’re coming from - there’s so much trial and error with this stuff. I’ve had braces and now an implant, and honestly, my gums are way more sensitive than I expected. I tried a couple of those super soft bru...
RE: Why does every dental visit with my kid turn into a meltdown?
I totally get what you mean about over-explaining. For me, as a kid, too many details just made me more nervous - it was like, “Why are you telling me all this unless it’s going to be really bad?” I think tone matters a ...
RE: Which Feels Better: Custom Vs. Boil-And-Bite Mouthguards?
I get what you mean about the custom ones feeling bulky at first. Mine took a few nights to get used to, but now I barely notice it. I’ve actually had a boil-and-bite before, and it felt softer but didn’t fit as well - p...
RE: How Often Do You Get Fluoride at the Dentist?
I get what you mean about being skeptical at first - I was the same way. When my orthodontist started talking about fluoride treatments during my braces consult, it sounded like one more thing to tack onto an already lon...
RE: Worried about stitches after implant surgery
I totally relate to that weird hyper-awareness - after my implant, I was so cautious around the stitches that brushing felt like defusing a bomb. It’s like your brain just won’t let you forget there’s something foreign i...