Dental care discussions and local services.
milo_maverick
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RE: A tooth pushed sideways isn’t the same as one knocked out
While arranging urgent dental care, don’t try to push a displaced permanent tooth back into place; that needs assessment and treatment by a dentist. They’ll consider how far and in what direction it has moved, whether it...
RE: Daily mouthwash vs. regular dental checkups for keeping your mouth healthy?
I've actually asked my dentist about mouthwash before, and she said it’s not really essential unless you have specific issues like gum disease or a high risk of cavities. She did mention that alcohol-based mouthwashes ca...
RE: Braces for kids: worth it or just a cosmetic thing?
That’s pretty much what our ortho said too - unless there’s functional stuff like TMJ pain or chewing issues, it’s not always necessary. But I wonder, do mild alignment problems ever cause issues later on, like uneven we...
RE: EATING SOUP FOR WEEKS: HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO CHEW NORMAL FOOD AGAIN?
That’s interesting - lettuce actually gave me more trouble than tougher foods too. I think it’s because those tiny fragments can wedge themselves into sensitive spots, especially after extractions or implants. For me, I ...
RE: Getting comfortable with a big smile even when your gums show
It’s wild how much attention we give to our own smiles compared to what others actually notice. I went through a phase after my aligners where I was convinced everyone saw my gums first, not my teeth. But honestly, the f...
RE: Did you know even a tiny shift in your teeth can mess with your confidence?
I get the anxiety, but honestly, I think a bit of looseness in the retainer is more about material fatigue than actual tooth movement. Polymeric materials like Essix degrade with time and temperature cycles - especially ...
RE: Best ways to soothe a teething baby (besides the usual stuff?)
I get the appeal of a cold washcloth, but I’ve actually had better luck with silicone teethers that have varying textures. The temperature retention is better, and they’re easier to sanitize. I know the “fancy” part gets...
RE: What Actually Happens During a Full House Deep Clean?
Funny you mention the flossing analogy - my brain works the same way, but I tend to approach deep cleaning almost like project management. I’ll break it down into micro-tasks and assign each a time estimate, which sounds...
RE: When the binky fairy visits: A bedtime adventure
It’s wild how much mental energy we put into these transitions, right? I definitely spiraled with the pacifier-to-thumb shift too. The irony is, you can’t exactly “misplace” a thumb, so you’re kind of at their mercy. Our...
RE: Which is easier: healing from a simple extraction or a surgical one?
Frozen peas totally work for swelling, in my experience - never bothered with those expensive gel packs. I actually found that rinsing gently with salt water after meals helped more than anything else, both for comfort a...
RE: Is It Okay to Suck My Thumb at Bedtime?
That’s interesting about the squishy balls - I’ve noticed my niece and nephew are obsessed with them too, and their teeth seem totally fine. I’m with you on thumb sucking being a whole different animal, especially once b...
RE: Is It Okay to Suck My Thumb at Bedtime?
Funny how the brain latches onto these rituals, right? I swapped thumb sucking for fiddling with my phone, but that’s a whole different sleep disruptor. There’s probably a neural pathway for every weird comfort habit we ...
RE: Tackling decay in 13 teeth
I get where you’re coming from with the staining - coffee is brutal on composites. But honestly, I think a lot of it comes down to both the brand and the technique your dentist uses. I’ve had composite fillings done with...
RE: How soon did you get back to your routine after a tooth pulled?
I was super paranoid about using the syringe at first, honestly. The idea of flushing out the socket felt way riskier than it probably was. I waited until my dentist specifically said it was safe, then just used a gentle...
RE: Weirdest pain after getting braces tightened - normal or not?
That “bruised” sensation is exactly how I’d describe it too. After each adjustment, I’d get this dull throbbing that synced up with my pulse - especially noticeable at night. The unpredictability of what foods would trig...