Dental care discussions and local services.
mrain63
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RE: Kicked cigarettes for a vape - my gums actually stopped bleeding
Can confirm - swapping cigarettes for a vape actually made a difference for my gums too. Less bleeding, and my dentist noticed less plaque at my last cleaning. Still, I get a bit of dryness now and then. Not perfect, but...
RE: How soft is too soft for toothbrush bristles?
Ultra-soft bristles are actually recommended for anyone with gum recession or sensitivity. The key is plaque removal, not abrasion. As long as your technique is thorough - gentle circular motions along the gumline - you’...
RE: EATING SOUP FOR WEEKS: HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO CHEW NORMAL FOOD AGAIN?
That’s exactly how I remember it. Lettuce is honestly the worst trap - gets stuck everywhere and somehow feels sharper than chips. I tried bread thinking it’d be soft, but nope, crumbs everywhere. Took me about three wee...
RE: Little tricks for fixing slightly crooked teeth without braces
You’re right - bonding resin won’t react to whitening the way enamel does, so you can end up with uneven shades if you use strong whitening products. I usually recommend patients stick to gentle stain-removing toothpaste...
RE: How to make breath mints last longer (without eating the whole pack)
Breaking mints in half is genius - I wish I’d thought of that when I had braces. I used to just avoid them altogether after a piece got stuck and I spent ages fishing it out with those little proxy brushes. Never tried t...
RE: Choosing the right root canal doc - what mattered most for you?
Honestly, I’d put technical skill and experience above bedside manner for something like a root canal. I get wanting clear explanations, but if someone’s done hundreds of these procedures, that peace of mind matters more...
RE: How I pack and care for my retainer when traveling - step by step
I’ve always found vented cases to be a bit hit or miss, too. Theoretically, the airflow should help with evaporation, but unless you’re actually leaving the case open or in a dry spot, it’s still pretty easy for moisture...
RE: Moving my jaw around after tightening: does it even help?
I get where you’re coming from - those jaw exercises can feel a bit forced, especially right after an adjustment. In my experience, aggressive movement too soon can actually make soreness worse. The muscles and ligaments...
RE: How soon did you get back to your routine after a tooth pulled?
Lingering sensitivity is actually pretty common, even after the gum looks closed up. I remember thinking everything was healed, but cold drinks would still sting a bit for weeks. For me, it faded gradually - just had to...
RE: Tackling decay in 13 teeth
I get the frustration with those pastes - tried one after a dentist flagged “incipient lesions” and honestly, couldn’t tell if it did anything. Sometimes I wonder if the x-ray shadows would’ve changed either way. I switc...
RE: What should I have asked before my root canal?
That’s such a good point - nobody really warns you about the bite feeling “off” for a while. Totally normal, though. Swelling and mild discomfort are expected, but if you notice severe pain or persistent swelling after a...
RE: The night before surgery: a choose-your-own-cleanliness adventure
That “sanding a deck” comment hits home - overzealous brushing is way more common than people think. I see a lot of folks with recession from scrubbing too hard, not from neglect. Using a soft-bristled brush or those foa...
RE: The night before surgery: a choose-your-own-cleanliness adventure
That’s the part I struggled with too. Switching from a regular brush to those sponges felt weirdly unsatisfying, like I was barely doing anything. But every time I got carried away and tried to “really clean,” my gums wo...
RE: Keeping your tongue scraper from becoming a science experiment
That rainbow sheen is actually a thin oxide layer, not rust. Peroxide can accelerate oxidation, especially on stainless steel. In my experience, it’s usually harmless - just cosmetic. I’ve only seen rust if there were al...
RE: Keeping your retainer from getting gross (and actually remembering to wear it)
Dish soap and a separate toothbrush have always worked better for me too - those tablets just left my retainer smelling odd, never actually looking cleaner. I’ve never noticed scratches from gentle brushing either. The r...