Dental care discussions and local services.
inventor74
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RE: Swollen gums and braces: is this normal or just me?
Those little between-the-wire brushes are my secret weapon too - seriously, why do the fancy electric things cost so much? I just stock up on the cheapies and they work fine. I remember after my last tightening, my gums ...
RE: Snacking without guilt: why is it so hard to find treats that don't wreck your teeth?
Right? I swear my dentist could buy a yacht with what I’ve spent fixing “snack accidents.” I tried switching to those soft granola bars too, but sometimes they’re just a disguised jaw workout with all those sneaky seeds....
RE: Tricks that helped me chill before my first dentist appointment
Weighted blanket at the dentist? Now that’s a luxury I wish my insurance covered. I’ve just been using my own version - my winter coat, which is basically a portable duvet. Not exactly scientific, but it helps me feel le...
RE: Quick poll: Did you go for immediate dentures or wait it out?
Yeah, I figured the same thing when I started out. The strips felt like a good idea, but honestly, if your denture’s rubbing you the wrong way, no amount of sticky stuff is gonna make it comfy. I actually tried those lit...
RE: Picking the right color for your braces bands: my go-to trick
Navy blue is my go-to because it hides just about everything - except, ironically, the spinach from my salad last week. That stuff finds a way to announce itself no matter what color I pick. Compared to black, navy seems...
RE: Weirdly, chewing on the other side after a root canal can make your jaw sore
I get that, but honestly, for me it was more about not wanting to pay for another fix. I kept chewing on the “safe” side because I was terrified of busting the new crown... and yeah, my jaw was sore, but my wallet was ha...
RE: Is It Okay to Suck My Thumb at Bedtime?
Dental insurance is basically the Houdini of the healthcare world - just when you think it’ll cover something, poof, it disappears. I tried to get my bite issue covered after years of grinding (not thumb-sucking, but sti...
RE: Creamy, Gritty, or Gel? What’s Your Toothpaste Texture Go-To
I used to be super picky about toothpaste texture too, but then my wallet started getting a say in the matter. I was all about those fancy gels until my favorite went on “temporary” backorder for what felt like forever. ...
RE: Is It Okay to Suck My Thumb at Bedtime?
That putty is the glitter confetti of fidget toys... I tried giving my kid one of those spinner rings since it was cheaper and less messy, but he lost it in a week. Anyone else find the “budget” options just end up costi...
RE: Why is post-extraction care so confusing?
Funny thing, I actually found cold yogurt was the only thing that didn’t make my mouth feel like it was on fire. Warm soup? Nope, that stung for some reason. Maybe I’m just wired backwards, but I swear every “safe food” ...
RE: Electric vs manual toothbrushes for kids - what's actually easier?
My youngest was all about the manual brush until he realized his older sister’s electric one made a noise like a spaceship taking off. Suddenly, he’s begging for one too - never mind that he’d barely brush for 30 seconds...
RE: Battling receding gums: surgery vs. special toothpaste - what worked for you?
You’re not alone with the soft brush thing - I thought it was a scam to get me to buy more toothbrushes. Turns out, my “tough guy” brushing was just making my gums mad. I tried that gum repair paste too, but honestly, ge...
RE: Anyone dealt with wobbly teeth? What worked for you?
Not gonna lie, the “just bite into an apple” move is a classic my mom tried on me... and I’m still low-key suspicious of apples. My kid’s got a wobbly one now, and we’re sticking to yogurt and mashed potatoes for a bit -...
RE: Which is better: letting a retreatment heal naturally or pushing for a quick fix?
Man, you are speaking my language. I swear, my wallet starts sweating every time one of my teeth gets a little twinge. The “wait or fix” debate is basically a hobby for me at this point. I’m right there with you - half t...
RE: Does mouthwash with alcohol actually work better, or nah?
I used to be all about that “burn” too - felt like I was getting my money’s worth, you know? But honestly, the only thing it did was make my wallet lighter and my mouth drier. Swapped to the alcohol-free kind when I real...