Dental care discussions and local services.
gandalf_baker
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Floss picks or classic string floss: which actually works better for gums?
Picks are just easier on days when my gums feel beat up, but yeah, they’re not cheap if you use one every night. The waste bugs me too - so much plastic for a few seconds of use. I get what you mean about string getting ...
RE: How picky are you about cleaning around your braces or aligners?
Not sure I totally agree on the “string gets in there better” thing. I get what you’re saying - classic floss does feel like it’s scraping more gunk out sometimes, but for me, half the time it just shreds or gets stuck o...
RE: What surprised me after getting full arch implants
Yeah, that “zing” threw me too. I kept thinking something was wrong at first, but my dentist said it’s just nerves waking up or whatever. Did you ever get those weird phantom itches under the implants? That drove me nuts...
RE: What surprised me after getting full arch implants
Yeah, the speech thing threw me for a loop too - my “sh” sounds were a mess for weeks. Took forever to stop poking at the new teeth with my tongue, like they’d move or something. Bite tweaks were a lifesaver, honestly. S...
RE: Keeping old bridges in shape - what actually works?
Yeah, the look can get pretty rough if they don’t color match or texture it right. I’ve seen some patches that totally kill the vibe of a stone bridge - sticks out like a sore thumb. Do you think there’s a way to get the...
RE: Brightening My Smile Without The Ouch - Is It Possible?
Custom trays are the way to go for me too. Strips just fry my gums, and those TikTok “hacks”...yeah, learned that lesson the hard way. I always tell folks - don’t rush it. Sensitive toothpaste helps, but I also do shorte...
RE: The great dental quest: searching for planet-friendly floss
Honestly, I feel you on the silk floss - it’s like trying to floss with a spiderweb. I tried a bamboo one once, but same deal, just kept snapping. Closest thing that worked for me was Cocofloss. Still plastic, but at lea...
RE: Electric vs manual toothbrushes for kids - what's actually easier?
Yeah, we went through a whole phase where my kid just wanted to chomp the brush too - manual or electric, didn’t matter. Honestly, I think half the battle is just getting them to do it without a meltdown. The rest is jus...
RE: Would you freak out if your stitches took longer to dissolve?
Had a couple stitches hang on for way longer than I expected after getting my wisdom teeth yanked. Was kinda weird, but as long as it wasn’t hurting or looking gnarly, I just let it be. Dentist said sometimes they just d...
RE: When the first fix doesn’t stick: a dental do-over adventure
That’s real - insurance barely covers anything once you hit “emergency” territory. I’ve seen a ton of parents freak out over loose wires, but honestly, unless it’s jabbing or causing pain, it can usually wait a bit. Ever...
RE: That first week after wisdom teeth removal… did anyone else swear by ice packs?
Man, the frozen pea smell is no joke. I tried using a bag of corn once - bad idea, smelled like a microwaved dinner for three days. Swelling’s a crapshoot, honestly. Some folks barely puff up, others look like chipmunks ...
RE: Kicking the thumb habit - anyone else see their kid’s teeth straighten out?
Had a similar thing with my oldest. She was a hardcore thumb sucker until about 5, then just stopped out of nowhere - no tricks or gadgets, just done. Her front teeth were starting to flare out but honestly, within a yea...
RE: Which one actually gets your teeth cleaner: blasting with water or good ol’ string floss?
Totally get that. I’ve tried going just water for a stretch and yeah, my gums started acting up too - felt kinda gritty near the gumline. But honestly, string flossing every day is a pain, especially when you’re half asl...
RE: Getting used to new dentures: slow and steady or all at once?
Totally get that. Tried to eat a burger on day two - bad call. Ended up with tender gums for a week. Now I just take it slow, soft stuff first, no shame. It’s not a race.
RE: Why do braces have to hurt so much sometimes?
Yeah, I feel you. That first day is brutal - my jaw feels like it’s done a full workout. Tried eating a banana once, thought it’d be easy... nope, still hurt. Honestly, I just stick to smoothies and eggs till things chil...