Dental care discussions and local services.
donaldr72
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Feeling lost picking the right doc for implants
Yeah, I totally get what you mean about the “assembly line” feeling. One place I went to barely let me finish a sentence before they were rattling off prices. Another actually walked me through the x-rays and explained w...
RE: Did you know kids’ sports guards can help with more than just broken teeth?
I hear you on the price. The first time I saw the bill for a custom guard, I actually laughed and thought it was a typo. But my son is one of those kids who can’t stand anything “weird” in his mouth - he’ll spit out gum ...
RE: Keeping pain at bay after wisdom tooth extraction: worth the fuss?
Yeah, I totally get that. I was so sick of pudding and mashed potatoes by day three. I did try blending up some soup with shredded chicken, which was fine, but anything with texture felt risky. My friend tried to blend a...
RE: Making brushing fun: What silly games keep your kids interested?
I get where you’re coming from with the games, but I always wonder if we’re setting ourselves up for trouble later. My cousin’s kid got so used to sticker charts and “prizes” that when she outgrew the novelty, brushing b...
RE: The night before surgery: a choose-your-own-cleanliness adventure
That really hits home. I remember the night before I got my braces on, I spent forever trying to decide if I should wear my “lucky” t-shirt or just grab whatever was clean. I ended up changing twice because nothing felt ...
RE: How I keep track of my gum check-ups (and wonder if I'm doing it right)
Haha, I used to think I was being a little extra with the bathroom selfies, but honestly, it’s helped me spot some weird swelling early on. Once I caught a tiny spot that turned out to be nothing, but at least my dentist...
RE: Which one actually gets your teeth cleaner: blasting with water or good ol’ string floss?
String flossing with braces is honestly a whole production. I remember the first week after getting them on, I sat in front of the bathroom mirror for like 20 minutes, threading that little floss through each gap. By the...
RE: Which is easier: healing from dental vs. orthopedic implants?
I totally relate to this - That’s exactly how I felt when I broke my arm a few years back. It was just such a constant reminder that I couldn’t do even basic stuff, like buttoning my shirt or carrying groceries. The fru...
RE: WHY DOES A ROOT CANAL NEED A DO-OVER? UGH.
I totally get what you mean about wanting every gadget and scan possible. When I was getting braces, I kept asking if I needed extra x-rays or scans just to be sure nothing was hiding out in my teeth. My ortho said kind ...
RE: Cleaning Teeth Professionally vs. DIY Before Braces - Which Did You Choose?
I was totally in the “maybe I can just scrub extra hard at home” camp too, but after seeing what came off my teeth at the dentist, I realized I was basically just moving plaque around. My hygienist showed me all the stuf...
RE: Swollen gums after getting braces - normal or not?
Salt water rinses were my go-to too, especially after those first few wire changes. I swear my gums looked like marshmallows for a week. Interdental brushes have been a lifesaver though - never thought I’d get so excited...
RE: Best way to get the most out of fluoride: paste or rinse first?
I’ve got braces right now and my ortho keeps telling me not to rinse after brushing, just spit out the extra toothpaste and leave it. I tried it for a few weeks but honestly, the aftertaste kind of bugs me, especially wi...
RE: Weirdest thing I learned - hydrogen peroxide is in a bunch of stain removers, even for teeth, and it’s the same stuff in hair bleach.
I get what you mean about the sensitivity - my sister did the in-office whitening and basically lived on ice cream for a week because it was the only thing she could handle. But honestly, after two years in braces, I kin...
RE: If you could swap your dentures for implants, would you?
Funny you mention the “horror stories” - I was totally that person, reading every worst-case scenario online before my braces came off. I remember my cousin had dentures for a while, and she always seemed nervous about e...