Dental care discussions and local services.
charliebeekeeper
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RE: Swapping mouthwashes after bleeding gums - worth it?
I get what you mean - when I started braces, I tried switching to one of those “gum care” mouthwashes too. Honestly, the burning just made me more paranoid about my gums. For me, the real difference came from focusing mo...
RE: KIDS' TOOTHBRUSHES: ELECTRIC VS MANUAL - WHAT'S WORKING FOR YOUR FAMILY?
My daughter was the same way - completely uninterested in anything electric, even though she’ll play with all sorts of loud gadgets. I tried introducing her to a kid’s electric toothbrush after her dentist recommended it...
RE: How soon did you get back to your routine after a tooth pulled?
When I had my first molar pulled (pre-braces saga), my dentist gave me this little printout with a day-by-day breakdown - honestly, it felt more like a warning label than advice. It said soft foods for at least a week, a...
RE: Why does milk get all the credit for strong teeth?
I totally get what you mean about the whole milk thing. When I first got braces, my orthodontist talked a ton about brushing and flossing, but never once mentioned veggies or sardines. Meanwhile, my mom’s obsessed with l...
RE: Why does milk get all the credit for strong teeth?
Honestly, I used to stress about not drinking milk too. I’ve been in braces for a while now, and my ortho always says it’s more about keeping up with brushing, flossing, and avoiding constant snacking on sweets than any ...
RE: Getting through jaw surgery: what actually helped me
Blending beans was a weird one for me, too. Black beans with a bit of broth turned out okay, but chickpeas just got this pasty texture that made my mouth feel even more numb, if that's possible. I actually tried adding a...
RE: Braces for buck teeth vs deep bite: did you know there’s a difference?
I totally relate to the elastics struggle - my first few days, I swear I spent more time fishing them out of my mouth than actually wearing them. But yeah, the mechanics really do shift depending on what’s being fixed. W...
RE: Did you know medieval adults wore braces too (sort of)?
I can really relate to this. When I started braces, I kind of rolled my eyes at the “special” toothpaste and mouthwash recommendations. I figured regular brushing was enough. Fast forward six months, and I noticed my tee...
RE: Water flossers showdown: cordless vs countertop, what's your pick?
I totally relate to the jet engine noise - mine sounds like it could take off if I’m not careful. But as someone with braces, I found the countertop one actually gets all the gunk out from around the brackets way better ...
RE: Making bracket pokes less miserable: my wax routine
Funny, I actually had the opposite experience with those silicone strips - they always seemed to slide right off for me, especially if I was eating or talking a lot. The regular wax made a mess, yeah, but at least it sta...
RE: Wearing orthodontic headgear without losing your mind
Those lines drove me nuts at first. For me, they faded by midday but never totally disappeared until I was done with the whole thing. I tried the silk scarf trick too - it felt nice, but yeah, it slid around and I’d wake...
RE: Root canals: not as scary as they sound?
That’s so familiar - every time I get a bill for my braces, I end up squinting at the itemized list and wondering if “archwire adjustment” is code for “we poked around for five minutes.” I always ask, but it never feels ...
RE: Quick hacks to brighten teeth by morning?
I've actually tried one of those whitening pens before - got it on a whim during a pharmacy run. Honestly, it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't exactly life-changing either. The convenience factor was nice, especially for q...
RE: Quick hacks to brighten teeth by morning?
Yikes, I feel your pain. When I first got my braces off, I was obsessed with getting that "perfect" white smile and tried one of those charcoal toothpastes everyone raved about. Big regret - my gums felt raw for days and...
RE: GUM ISSUES SUCK - HERE'S SOMETHING THAT HELPED ME
Clove oil's definitely effective, but I found it a bit too intense even diluted. Weirdly enough, chamomile tea bags worked wonders for me - just steeped, cooled, and placed gently on sore gums. Super soothing and gentle....