Dental care discussions and local services.
james_woof
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RE: What signs help you identify poor aligner tracking early?
Yeah, I get what you mean about the “is this pain normal or am I just being dramatic?” debate - I swear, some nights it feels like my trays are auditioning for a vice grip commercial. Here’s how I try to sanity-check my ...
RE: How much aftercare is really needed after a root canal?
I mean, I wish my brain would get on board with that logic, but it’s like my mouth had a root canal and my anxiety had a root canal too… except the dentist forgot to numb that part. I get what you’re saying about “if it ...
RE: Tooth pain strikes: do you go to the ER or wait for your dentist?
Yeah, I totally get what you mean about the ER being a last resort for tooth pain. I did the same ice pack + ibuprofen routine during a wisdom tooth flare-up, and honestly, it felt like I was just buying time (and maybe ...
RE: Keeping Implants Healthy Years Down the Road
I totally get the paranoia. I once tried to “test” my cleaning by chewing on those red disclosing tablets... ended up looking like a vampire and still had no clue if my implants were actually clean. I just bounce between...
RE: What would you do if your parent refused to see the dentist?
Honestly, I think it’s less about getting used to the pain and more about just not wanting the hassle. My dad’s the same way - he’ll complain nonstop, but the minute he can eat pizza again, he’s “cured.” Maybe a little f...
RE: Why is post-extraction care so confusing?
I get what you’re saying about “safe” foods getting old fast, but honestly, I kinda leaned into it. Like, it was the only time in my adult life I could eat nothing but mashed potatoes and pudding for days and have a legi...
RE: Keeping your tongue scraper from becoming a science experiment
I’ve totally had that weird minty aftertaste too. It’s like the scraper holds onto it for dear life... I started rinsing mine with hot water and a drop of dish soap after each use, then letting it air dry, which seems to...
RE: Cleaning Teeth Professionally vs. DIY Before Braces - Which Did You Choose?
Haha, I nearly went down the Amazon rabbit hole too - those scaler ads make it seem so easy, but I can barely floss without poking myself. Here’s my step-by-step: 1) considered DIY, 2) pictured myself explaining chipped ...
RE: Dealing with a little dental dread in my house
It’s wild how kids have a sixth sense for “fun” when it’s coming from an adult, right? My youngest, the self-proclaimed Toothpaste Detective, can sense when I’m about to turn toothbrushing into a game and suddenly she’s ...
RE: How do you cope when facing a dental redo?
Not gonna lie, I wish I’d gotten that memo before dropping $$$ on a “must-have” night guard that turned out to be…not so necessary. My dentist made it sound like my teeth would bolt for the exit if I didn’t act fast. Tur...
RE: Dealing with a little dental dread in my house
I keep telling myself I’ll just “brush extra well” and skip a cleaning, but the universe laughs and sends me straight to the dentist for something worse. My wallet’s still mad about that surprise cavity last year... Less...
RE: HOW OFTEN DO YOU REALLY NEED TO SEE YOUR DENTIST AFTER IMPLANTS?
I’m actually the opposite - I asked for three-month checkups after my implant just to calm my nerves. My dentist rolled his eyes but hey, I’d rather be the “paranoid” patient than miss something sneaky. Maybe it’s overki...
RE: Knocked out a tooth? Saw this wild story…
Honestly, same. I once chipped a tooth at a BBQ (don’t ask) and my first instinct was to Google “what now” while holding an ice pack to my face. My dentist told me the milk thing too, but then another one said “just keep...
RE: Ever heard of onlays instead of crowns after a root canal?
Totally get this. My last dentist barely let me finish my sentence before launching into the “crown is safest” spiel. But when I asked about onlays, suddenly it was like I’d suggested DIY dentistry. Honestly, if there’s ...
RE: Whitening strips vs. sensitive toothpaste for tricky stains?
Sensitive toothpaste honestly felt like wishful thinking for my coffee stains. I used it for months - my teeth were maybe a bit less ouchy, but the stains just kept hanging around. Has anyone ever had those weird white s...