Dental care discussions and local services.
lauriep97
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RE: Saw this story about a new “braces-friendly” school lunch menu - what do you pack for your kids?
Sticker shock is right - those little pre-packed “braces-friendly” snacks are basically gold-plated, if you ask me. I’ve had dentures for years now, and let me tell you, eating soft foods gets old fast, no matter your ag...
RE: Toothpaste aisle overwhelm: how I pick what actually works
That made me laugh - totally get it. I tried a “natural” toothpaste with baking soda and it felt like I was brushing with salty sand. Didn’t notice any difference except being annoyed every morning. At this point, I most...
RE: Tricks for feeling good about a “toothy” smile?
Funny, I actually started to feel better about my own “toothy” grin after I stopped looking in the mirror so much. After decades of dental work - crowns, bridges, you name it - I realized most folks just see a genuine sm...
RE: Is It Okay to Suck My Thumb at Bedtime?
I used to sneak my thumb under the pillow at night when I was a kid, and honestly, I didn’t stop until I was well into grade school. My parents tried the bitter stuff too - didn’t work for me either. In my case, it didn’...
RE: Keeping your tongue scraper from becoming a science experiment
That cinnamon mouthwash idea gave me a chuckle - reminds me of when I tried using peppermint oil to “freshen up” my scraper. It worked, but after a while, everything I used in the morning tasted faintly of toothpaste, ev...
RE: ANYONE ELSE FEEL LIKE INVISALIGN "TWEAKS" TAKE FOREVER?
I totally get where you’re coming from. When I started with Invisalign, I remember staring at my teeth in the mirror every night, convinced nothing was happening. My bottom front tooth barely moved for almost two months....
RE: Keeping your mouth happy after a root canal
That hyper-awareness really hit home for me, too. After my first root canal (years ago now), I remember lying awake at night, poking at the side of my mouth with my tongue, convinced something was off. I think it’s prett...
RE: Kicking the thumb habit - anyone else see their kid’s teeth straighten out?
That’s a tough spot - I’ve seen both sides too. My daughter’s teeth mostly sorted themselves out after she stopped thumb sucking, but my grandson needed a palate expander later on. Did your dentist ever mention early int...
RE: Chewing Gum That Actually Works For Gross Breath?
Totally agree with this. I’ve tried some of those “advanced” gums too, and half the time they left a weird aftertaste or my mouth felt drier than before. For me, regular old Orbit or Extra is what I keep in my bag. I’ve ...
RE: That first week after wisdom teeth removal… did anyone else swear by ice packs?
That first week is no joke - ice packs were a lifesaver for me, too. I tried the warm compress thing later on, but it just made everything feel puffier, not better. You’re right about sleep, too. I’d wake up with my neck...
RE: How long do those metal tongue cleaners actually last?
I’ve had mine for maybe four years now - stainless steel, too - and it’s still going strong. I get the worry about germs, but as long as you’re boiling and scrubbing it, I wouldn’t stress much. If it ever got rusty or ju...
RE: Weirdest pain after getting braces tightened - normal or not?
That shifting pain drove me nuts too. One day it was my molars, next day it’d be the front teeth - like, pick a spot already. The wax thing is a whole saga on its own. I used to keep a backup in my car and still managed ...
RE: WHEN YOUR GUMS START WHISPERING BEFORE THEY SHOUT
I’ve noticed the same thing - some of those bargain toothpastes just don’t cut it for me either. My gums start acting up pretty quickly if I stray from what works. Maybe it really is about personal chemistry, or maybe so...
RE: How do you chill out after an adjustment?
That second-day soreness is the worst for me, too. I always think I’m in the clear after the first night, then bam - everything hurts when I wake up. I’ve found alternating Tylenol and ibuprofen (with food) helps a bit m...