Dental care discussions and local services.
michaelpilot8993
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RE: BRACES HURT WAY MORE THAN I EXPECTED... WHAT HELPS?
I actually found popsicles made my teeth ache even more, weirdly enough. Ended up swapping to room temp applesauce and mashed potatoes - super cheap and less of that freezing pain. I do miss crunchy stuff, though. Anyone...
RE: Keeping dentures fresh when you’re forgetful like me
I totally relate to the humid bathroom problem - mine’s basically a sauna half the year, so air-drying just turns into “air-marinate.” I tried putting my case in the dishwasher once, but it warped a little... not a total...
RE: How do you get your kids to actually brush their teeth?
Yep, that’s basically my life too. I started using a cheap kitchen timer - told my twins they had to brush until it beeped. Worked for a bit, then they’d just stare at it and wait. Honestly, I’ve learned to celebrate any...
RE: Weirdly, chewing on the other side after a root canal can make your jaw sore
I get what you mean about not trusting the “fixed” side. Honestly, after mine, I was so paranoid about messing up the work (especially after seeing that bill...) that I chewed on the other side for weeks. But then my lef...
RE: Brightening My Smile Without The Ouch - Is It Possible?
I totally get where you’re coming from. I spent way too much time googling “cheap whitening tricks” and ended up with a drawer full of half-used tubes and strips. My teeth got a bit sensitive, but honestly, I never saw d...
RE: Sealants at the Dentist vs. School Clinic: Which Is Better for Your Wallet?
I get what you’re saying, but I’ve actually had the opposite happen. The sealants my kid got at the dentist lasted way longer than the ones from the school program - one of those popped off in less than a year. Maybe it’...
RE: Crowns after root canal: always, sometimes, or nah?
I’m in the same boat about the cost - my insurance barely covered half, so it was a tough call. I skipped the crown on a front tooth after a root canal, and it’s held up for three years now. But my molar cracked after le...
RE: Getting used to eating and talking with new teeth
That’s the part that really hit me too. I went into the whole thing thinking, “Okay, just a couple appointments and I’ll be set.” But then it’s the follow-ups, the rinses, the special toothpaste, and suddenly I’m budgeti...
RE: Making the switch: how I use my water flosser (and where I still mess up)
I hear you on the water temp - my wallet’s grateful I don’t have to buy special “sensitive” tips or anything, but I do take the extra minute to nuke a mug of water before I fill the tank. It’s wild how much more tolerabl...
RE: Keeping your tongue scraper from becoming a science experiment
I get where you’re coming from - oral hygiene stuff can get in your head way more than you’d think. I used to go overboard with cleaning my scraper, too. Hot water, dish soap, even tried a vinegar soak once, but then I s...
RE: The great dental quest: searching for planet-friendly floss
I totally get what you mean about the “natural” flosses - tried a silk one last year and it frayed like crazy between my crowded teeth. Ended up with little threads stuck everywhere, and honestly, it just felt like more ...
RE: How sticking to a simple gum care habit actually worked for me
The “fishing for sugar bugs” trick is genius. Kids are so much more into things when there’s a story or a game, right? I totally relate to the flavor thing too - my nephew got really into the watermelon floss, which I th...
RE: How did you cope after a chipped or knocked-out tooth?
The milk thing surprised me too - I always chalked it up to some myth, but turns out there’s actually a reason behind it. My dentist said if it’s a permanent tooth that gets knocked out, putting it in milk can help keep ...
RE: That first week after wisdom teeth removal… did anyone else swear by ice packs?
Same here - swelling was my biggest worry, especially since I didn’t want to miss work (unpaid sick days are brutal). I mostly stuck with ice because it was cheap and easy, just a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel. B...
RE: Making brushing fun: What silly games keep your kids interested?
We ran into something similar when my twins got hooked on a brushing video with dancing sharks - fun at first, but then it became a meltdown if I didn’t have my phone handy. I ended up setting a kitchen timer and pretend...