Dental care discussions and local services.
george_clark
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RE: Kicked cigarettes for a vape - my gums actually stopped bleeding
Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing - my gums bled less after I switched, but I’m with you on not being sure about the long-term trade-offs. My orthodontist mentioned that dry mouth from vaping can mess with your enamel an...
RE: Keeping your mouth healthy after a root canal – what worked for you?
Yeah, I did the same thing - chewed only on the “good” side for about a week. Honestly, it made me more paranoid about biting my cheek than anything else. For brushing, I found switching to a super soft baby toothbrush h...
RE: Ice or gauze for a knocked-out tooth - what’s your go-to?
I totally get the instinct to keep it dry and clean - honestly, that’s what I would’ve done before braces made me pay attention to all this tooth stuff. It feels weird to think moisture is better, but yeah, those periodo...
RE: What’s your go-to for shrinking gums - DIY stuff or straight to the dentist?
That’s pretty much where I landed, too. I tried oil pulling for a couple months after seeing it all over YouTube, but honestly, I couldn’t tell if it did anything besides make my mouth taste weird. Same with those “gum h...
RE: Switching to electric: my gums are actually happy now?
Can relate to missing the simplicity, though I’d trade charging for less gum bleeding any day. I switched during braces since my orthodontist kept flagging inflamed gums. Electric made a huge difference - especially arou...
RE: Why is it so hard to get consistent aftercare for a chipped tooth?
That’s a good point - sometimes “watch and wait” is the right move, but it’d be way less stressful if they just explained their thinking. I’ve had similar uncertainty with my braces adjustments... not knowing why they’re...
RE: How much did your dental implant + extraction actually cost?
I get where you’re coming from about the unpredictability, but honestly, I don’t think it should be this much of a gamble. With all the tech and imaging dentists have now, you’d think there would be fewer “surprises.” Wh...
RE: How do you get your kids to actually brush their teeth?
I used to think all those themed toothbrushes were just marketing, but honestly, I get it now. When I first got braces, I was super strict about technique and timing, but it was such a chore. I probably would’ve brushed ...
RE: Why is post-extraction care so confusing?
I get what you mean about “gentle” being so vague, but honestly, I kind of liked having some freedom with the syringe. For me, it was less stressful than trying to copy some exact technique. I just rinsed carefully and ...
RE: Retainer glued in or popping one in and out?
Same here. I like the idea of popping retainers in and out, but honestly, I'd misplace them for sure. The glued-in wire is annoying for flossing, but at least it's always there doing its job. I do get nervous about bitin...
RE: Getting used to my shiny smile: finally feeling okay about braces
I get where you’re coming from. I tried a water flosser when I first got my braces, mostly because the orthodontist kept pushing it. Honestly, it was more of a mess than anything - water everywhere, and half the time I w...
RE: Finally stopped my teeth from wiggling - here’s what worked for me
Totally agree - the basics really do make the biggest difference. I switched to electric for the timer too, but honestly, as long as you’re consistent and not rushing, either works. It’s easy to overthink this stuff, but...
RE: EASY CLEAN TEETH WITH BRACES: WHAT IF FLOSSING WASN'T AN OPTION?
I’ve tried those V-shaped brushes and honestly, I didn’t notice much difference either. They look specialized but I think it’s mostly about being thorough, not the brush shape. Interdental brushes do get bent out of shap...
RE: Worth it for kids’ teeth? Our fluoride varnish experience
That’s interesting - my experience was almost the opposite. For me, the taste lingered way longer than the texture ever bothered me. I remember being hyper-aware of that artificial sweetness for hours after my appointmen...
RE: Cleaning Teeth Professionally vs. DIY Before Braces - Which Did You Choose?
My ortho also required a cleaning before starting braces. I figured it was just standard, but maybe not everywhere. Honestly, after that pro cleaning, my teeth felt way smoother than anything I could do at home. I’m pret...