Dental care discussions and local services.
jakep10
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: What findings make retreatment a realistic option for a previously treated tooth?
The key distinction is whether the findings point to a problem that can be addressed from inside the canal, such as a missed canal or an inadequate root filling, or to disease around the root that might call for a differ...
RE: How do you get your kids to actually brush their teeth?
That’s definitely my experience. My son turns brushing into a performance art - one day he’s a “cavity-fighting superhero,” the next he’s narrating a documentary about plaque. If I try to keep it too structured, he immed...
RE: Braces in your 30s: did you know teeth can move for life?
Right? I always thought once you survived the braces years, you were done - like, “congrats, your teeth are now set in stone.” Turns out, nature had other plans. My dentist called it “physiologic drift,” which sounds way...
RE: What would you do if your parent refused to see the dentist?
That’s honestly the story of my family, too. My dad ignored a toothache for months, and by the time he finally caved, he needed a root canal and a crown. I get the anxiety - just calling to schedule is enough to make my ...
RE: Which is easier: healing from a simple extraction or a surgical one?
Yeah, I totally get what you mean about the mirror obsession. After my surgical extraction, I was convinced every twinge meant dry socket or some disaster. The stitches were a whole new level of weird - I kept feeling li...
RE: How much is too much when it comes to fluoride rinse?
I always wondered if I was overthinking the cap thing too... Measuring out that tiny line in the morning when I’m half-awake is a lost cause. I’ve also heard from my hygienist that the real issue is with kids, like you s...
RE: Why is post-extraction care so confusing?
It’s wild how much post-extraction advice contradicts itself. My dentist handed me this whole pamphlet, but my aunt swears by her “ice cream only” rule, and some folks online say no dairy at all. I just remember being te...
RE: Creamy, Gritty, or Gel? What’s Your Toothpaste Texture Go-To
Yeah, the gel is just so much easier on my mouth, especially with all the hardware from braces. I do think the pastes made my teeth feel a bit squeakier-clean, but honestly, I’ll take smooth over that gritty, raw feeling...
RE: DOES EVERY CAVITY REALLY NEED A CROWN OR IS IT OVERKILL SOMETIMES?
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had a different outcome with the “wait and see” approach. Had a small cavity that my dentist kept an eye on for over a year - she did all the x-rays and poking around, bu...
RE: KIDS' TOOTHBRUSHES: ELECTRIC VS MANUAL - WHAT'S WORKING FOR YOUR FAMILY?
That’s pretty much our experience too - manuals are easier on the wallet, but the electric ones actually get my kid to brush for more than ten seconds. The novelty factor helps, I think. Swapping out brush heads is a pai...
RE: Which one actually gets your teeth cleaner: blasting with water or good ol’ string floss?
String floss is still my nemesis, but I gotta admit, it works better for me than the water jet thing. I bought a water flosser thinking it’d be a game changer - felt like a mini car wash for my mouth - but there was alwa...
RE: Choosing between traditional bridges and implant-supported bridges - what's your pick?
Honestly, those floss threaders are the bane of my existence too. I keep losing them, then find them in the weirdest places - like my sock drawer. But yeah, you’re right about implants being a whole ordeal upfront. My co...