Dental care discussions and local services.
margaretfurry678
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: How soft is too soft for toothbrush bristles?
I’ve run into the same thing - soft bristles just don’t last as long, especially with kids who brush like they’re scrubbing a pan. I don’t think it’s always about brushing too hard, though. Some soft brushes are just poo...
RE: How picky are you about cleaning around your braces or aligners?
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I think a little independence goes a long way - even with braces. I had braces as a teen and my parents hovered at first, but eventually they backed off and let me figure it ...
RE: ADJUSTING TO A MOUTH FULL OF NEW HARDWARE: A DAILY TALE
That fear is so familiar - my first week with braces, I basically lived on yogurt and soup. I was convinced even something as soft as scrambled eggs would mess them up. Funny thing is, the hardware is way sturdier than i...
RE: How do you get your kids to actually brush their teeth?
Sticker charts actually worked for my oldest, but my younger one just shrugged them off - she wanted the reward immediately, not after a week of stickers. I’m starting to wonder if it’s more about their temperament than ...
RE: Keeping your mouth clean after dental work: new study says we might be overdoing it?
I hear you on the “more expensive must be better” trap. I’ve wasted plenty on fancy rinses and gels - half of them just left my mouth feeling weird or dried out, and honestly didn’t help healing at all. It’s wild how har...
RE: Is It Okay to Suck My Thumb at Bedtime?
Yeah, I get the comfort thing with thumb sucking - honestly, it’s like a built-in stress reliever. But after years of doing it as a kid, I ended up needing braces twice because my teeth just kept shifting out of place. C...
RE: Crowns after root canal: always, sometimes, or nah?
That part really hits home for me. I tried to save money by just getting a big filling after a root canal on one of my lower molars. My dentist warned me it was risky, but at the time, I just couldn’t justify the extra c...
RE: Do Whitening Strips Actually Work for You? Quick Poll
I’ve had similar issues with strips - my teeth are a little crooked, so there’s always that patchy look after. Drying my teeth helped a bit, but not enough to bother. The LED kits are interesting, but honestly, the sensi...
RE: Feeling normal after a root canal - did anyone else bounce back quick?
I totally get what you mean about the numbness being more unsettling than the crown itself. For me, it was like my face was on airplane mode for hours - kept making weird faces in the mirror just to see if anything moved...
RE: Little things that helped me get through my braces timeline
Portable cases are a double-edged sword, honestly. When I first got braces, I thought those tiny containers would be a lifesaver for keeping wax and elastics handy - especially with kids running around. But after a week ...
RE: Does switching to vaping actually help your teeth and gums?
I had the same expectation - thought my gums would be happier after ditching cigarettes, but nope, they got sore and red for weeks. I’m still not sure if it’s just the propylene glycol or maybe the nicotine itself messin...
RE: Little things that helped me get through my braces timeline
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve tried every tool out there - interdental brushes, water flossers, you name it - but honestly, nothing beats the basics. I still double up too, especially after popcorn or anything sticky. It’s a...
RE: Chewing Gum That Actually Works For Gross Breath?
I’ll be honest, I think the “just avoid those foods” approach is kind of a cop-out - sometimes you just can’t, like if you’re at a work lunch or family gathering. For me, the only thing that’s actually worked (besides gu...
RE: Electric Toothbrushes vs. Manual for Kids: Which Actually Works Better?
I can relate to almost everything you wrote - especially the “speed run” toothbrushing. My son used to do these wild, zig-zag motions with his electric brush and call it a day, convinced he’d nailed it. I’ve watched him ...
RE: IMPLANTS VS. DENTURES: DID YOU ACTUALLY FEEL A DIFFERENCE?
That part hit home for me. The cleaning routine with implants is way more involved than I expected, especially compared to when I had a partial. I thought I was pretty diligent, but those little spots around the implant ...