Dental care discussions and local services.
dsmith36
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RE: Mobile dental vans vs. community health centers for senior care - what's better?
I get what you mean about the vans being “more discreet than I expected,” but honestly, I still felt kinda exposed. Maybe it’s just my nerves, but I kept worrying someone would look in or overhear. Also, the whole insura...
RE: Ice or gauze for a knocked-out tooth - what’s your go-to?
Honestly, I’d probably freeze up if it ever happened to me. The idea of shoving a tooth back in my mouth just freaks me out, even if I know it’s the right move. I always thought you had to focus on stopping the bleeding ...
RE: Swollen gums and braces: is this normal or just me?
Ugh, I totally get this. I was so paranoid about my gums after getting braces - I kept checking them in the mirror like every hour, convinced I was doing something wrong. I tried three different brushes and even bought o...
RE: EATING SOUP FOR WEEKS: HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO CHEW NORMAL FOOD AGAIN?
I get what you’re saying, but honestly, waiting three weeks sounds so long. I was super nervous about chewing too soon, but after about a week, I tried soft bread just because I couldn’t handle another bowl of soup. Mayb...
RE: GETTING THROUGH THE DENTIST CHAIR WITHOUT PANIC - ANYONE TRIED SEDATION?
Same here - side effects are honestly one of my big fears. I keep reading those pamphlets and psyching myself out even more. Nitrous sounds like it might be worth a shot though, especially since you said it took the edge...
RE: How to make breath mints last longer (without eating the whole pack)
Honestly, I get the idea, but weirdly, the “boring” flavors just make me more anxious. I end up chewing them faster because I want the taste out of my mouth, which totally defeats the purpose. I actually do better with s...
RE: How much did your dental implant + extraction actually cost?
Yeah, I totally get the frustration with insurance. It’s wild how two people can have the same plan and still end up with totally different bills. The unpredictability stresses me out so much. I’m actually in the middle ...
RE: Little-known perks of subtle smile tweaks
Can totally relate to the anxiety part - honestly, I’ve been stressing about my first bonding appointment for weeks. Hearing that it’s not super high-maintenance is kinda reassuring, but I still worry about messing it up...
RE: When your breath turns evil: a story of mysterious mouth odors
Ugh, I totally get this. I’m only a couple weeks in with my aligners and honestly, I’m low-key paranoid about my breath every day. Even after brushing like crazy, I swear there’s always something lurking. Haven’t tried a...
RE: What’s your go-to after jaw surgery: wax, salt water, or just toughing it out?
This is exactly how I felt. I thought I was being dramatic, but even soft foods were exhausting. I tried the wax too and it just kept slipping off or getting stuck somewhere weird... honestly, I started panicking that I'...
RE: Laughing gas saved my sanity during my root canal
I totally get this. I’m actually putting off my first big dental thing because I’m so freaked out, and the cost for nitrous just makes it worse. Feels like you have to pick between anxiety or a huge bill... not fair at a...
RE: Keeping your teeth strong: my steps for protecting enamel
I keep worrying I’m not doing enough for my enamel, honestly. I tried the fluoride rinse too but I can’t get past the taste, it lingers forever. Does anyone else feel like even with all this stuff, their teeth still feel...
RE: Foods you had to give up (or discovered!) after getting veneers
I totally get the paranoia thing - I'm still in the “cut everything into tiny pieces” phase. My dentist also said the new veneers are way stronger than the old-school ones, but my brain just refuses to believe it. I actu...
RE: Making the switch: how I use my water flosser (and where I still mess up)
I’ve been stressing about this too. I’m always worried I’ll mess up my gums if I crank up the pressure, but then I get paranoid it’s not actually cleaning enough. Does anyone else get nervous about accidentally hurting t...
RE: Weirdest pain after getting braces tightened - normal or not?
I actually get more of a weird, tingly ache than a throbbing - almost like my teeth are buzzing? And cold stuff is rough for me too, but honestly, hot drinks just make everything feel swollen. I keep worrying something’s...