Dental care discussions and local services.
emoon98
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RE: How is bite-only tenderness assessed after retreatment?
Bite tenderness by itself can’t establish treatment failure. An endodontist can compare the response to tapping and a bite test with neighboring teeth, then interpret that alongside the exam and imaging. A localized resp...
RE: Trying to decide if implant dentures are worth it - what swayed you?
I hear you on the healing time - my neighbor had implants and was basically living on soup and scrambled eggs for what felt like ages. The price tag is no joke either. When I looked into it, my insurance only covered abo...
RE: How soft is too soft for toothbrush bristles?
I used to think the firmer the brush, the better - like I was “polishing” away years of coffee stains. My dentist set me straight after my gumline started receding. Switched to soft bristles, and honestly, it felt weird ...
RE: Choosing the right root canal doc - what mattered most for you?
I totally get where you're coming from. For me, it was a mix of things - first, I checked reviews for technical skill, but honestly, I paid just as much attention to how folks described the doc’s attitude. When I finally...
RE: Tricks for feeling good about a “toothy” smile?
I get where you’re coming from, but I’d actually argue that “faking it” doesn’t always cut it - at least not for everyone. For me, confidence with my smile took a bit more than just pretending. Here’s what I did, step by...
RE: Laughing gas saved my sanity during my root canal
That cloud-breathing thing is spot on - first time I had nitrous, I remember thinking, “Is this what floating on a marshmallow feels like?” Honestly, I get the heart pounding too, especially when they first put the mask ...
RE: Saw a story about sinus lifts getting more common - anyone else nervous?
I get what you mean - when my dentist first mentioned a sinus lift, I spent days reading up on it and honestly, it sounded pretty intense. What helped me was breaking things down: first, they showed me exactly where the ...
RE: Is It Okay to Suck My Thumb at Bedtime?
That pen-chewing thing hits close to home. I used to grind my teeth at night and didn’t even realize it until my dentist pointed out the wear. Makes me wonder - if thumb-sucking is mostly at bedtime, does it affect adult...
RE: When did your kid see the dentist for the first time?
I get what you mean about the tech being a double-edged sword. My grandkids had their first appointments a couple years ago, and I noticed the same thing - one was fascinated by all the gadgets, while the other just got ...
RE: Keeping kids’ braces clean - what actually works?
I hear you on the gadgets. I’ve had braces three times (don’t ask...) and honestly, the only thing that stuck for me was a simple routine. I tried a water flosser when my grandkids got braces - looked like fun, but it en...
RE: Braces snapped in the middle of the night - what now?
That cotton ball trick never worked for me either - just made everything feel bulkier. As for cutting the wire, I’ve actually managed it a couple times, but only with sterilized nail clippers and a steady hand. Key is to...
RE: WHEN BRACES BREAK: WHAT ACTUALLY WORKED FOR ME AT HOME
I’ve definitely been there with the rogue wire - those things have a mind of their own. I do agree that the pencil eraser trick is gentle, but honestly, I’ve found it doesn’t always get the job done if the wire’s really ...
RE: Keeping my mouth clean after apicoectomy is driving me nuts
That constant urge to check the mirror - yep, been there. I remember after my apico, I kept thinking, “Is that swelling normal? Did I brush too close?” It’s wild how hyper-aware you get. One thing I learned: gentle brush...
RE: Why does it feel like dentists only want to throw antibiotics at gum problems?
I get it - sometimes you just want a magic fix, especially when kids are involved. From what I’ve seen over the years, dentists really do stick to the basics because most gum flare-ups are caused by plaque, not bacteria ...
RE: New pain relief options after root tip surgery - anyone else see this?
I’ve tried a few things after my root tip surgery - gels, rinses, even those numbing patches. Here’s what I noticed: the gels worked at first, but after a couple days, my gums felt irritated, almost like they were peelin...