Dental care discussions and local services.
duke_turner
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: How I keep track of my gum check-ups (and wonder if I'm doing it right)
That cracked me up - been there. Honestly, I think you’re handling it in a really reasonable way. It’s easy to spiral into worry, especially when you’ve got that combo of dental and budget anxiety. I used to get super pa...
RE: Worth Getting Those Weird Plastic Coatings On Kids’ Teeth?
That’s a really good point about dentists checking under the sealants. I remember asking ours if they actually look for issues underneath, and she said they keep an eye out for any signs of trouble during cleanings. I ge...
RE: Kid toothpaste: tiny smear or pea-sized blob? Which do you use?
I totally get where you’re coming from - the “more bubbles” thing is so relatable! My son went through a phase where he’d only brush if he could see a ton of foam. I do want to gently push back on the idea of using more ...
RE: Which one actually gets your teeth cleaner: blasting with water or good ol’ string floss?
Honestly, this is such a relatable situation. Getting kids (or honestly, even adults) to floss consistently is like pulling teeth sometimes. I totally get the “battle every night” thing - my youngest used to hide the flo...
RE: Swollen gums after getting braces - normal or not?
Swollen gums were honestly the thing that freaked me out most when I first got braces. I’d heard about the usual soreness and maybe some canker sores, but nobody really warned me about my gums puffing up like marshmallow...
RE: Baking soda vs. coconut oil: which one actually works for a whiter smile?
I totally get what you mean about oil pulling feeling like a chore - I tried it for a month and honestly, I just couldn’t stick with it. Baking soda worked for me too, but only when I was super careful not to scrub too h...
RE: My experience with getting teeth whitened professionally
I had a similar experience when I got mine whitened a couple years ago. My dentist was great overall, but sensitivity wasn't really something they brought up until I mentioned how uncomfortable my teeth felt afterward. T...
RE: Finally figured out how to get stains out like the pros
My dentist said pretty much the same thing about charcoal toothpaste. I was tempted to try it because, you know, all those Instagram ads make it look like magic. But she explained that charcoal is basically abrasive enou...
RE: GUM ISSUES SUCK - HERE'S SOMETHING THAT HELPED ME
Your experience sounds pretty familiar to me too. Honestly, I think most of us who've switched to water flossers have had at least one awkward "water everywhere" moment - mine involved accidentally spraying the mirror an...
RE: Finally figured out how to get stains out like the pros
Totally agree about the overnight soak - it's way gentler. I've also noticed that blotting stains gently instead of rubbing helps preserve fabric integrity. Learned that the hard way after ruining a favorite tee by scrub...
RE: Toothbrush showdown: electric vs manual for older folks
My mom had a similar experience actually... she found the buzzing and alerts distracting rather than helpful. We ended up getting her a basic electric brush without timers, and she's much happier now. Sometimes less real...
RE: Eating comfortably when your mouth feels like a construction zone
Blended soups are a lifesaver when your mouth feels like it's hosting a jackhammer convention. The black bean idea sounds tasty - I'll have to give that one a shot next time I'm stuck in dental purgatory. And yeah, scram...
RE: Hypothetically, if you tried extracting some herbal stuff at home - like oils or tinctures - and it went kinda wrong (maybe too strong or weird smell or something), how would you fix it?
Sweet almond oil is a great suggestion - I haven't tried it in toothpaste yet, but I did use it once in a homemade mouth rinse. It was super gentle and didn't leave any weird aftertaste. Totally agree about oregano oil t...