Dental care discussions and local services.
mturner51
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Would you wait or go straight for an implant after losing a tooth?
The bone-loss point in the latest reply is worth considering, but it doesn’t make “sooner” the right choice in every case. Implant timing depends partly on what the extraction site is like: the dentist or oral surgeon as...
RE: Keeping those stitches clean after a tooth pull - what worked for me
I was kind of skeptical about the “let gravity do the work” thing at first, but honestly, it made a difference for me too. I had my wisdom teeth out last fall, and the oral surgeon was super strict - no swishing, no brus...
RE: Swollen gums and braces: is this normal or just me?
This is hitting home for me. My daughter’s been in braces for about six months and the gum swelling has definitely been an ongoing thing - especially after wire adjustments or if she tries to eat anything remotely chewy....
RE: Why is it so hard to get consistent aftercare for a chipped tooth?
I totally get that. I always end up googling every tiny twinge after dental work, just in case it’s something serious. My dentist usually gives me the standard printout, but it’s never specific enough - like, what if my ...
RE: Getting comfortable with a big smile even when your gums show
I get the point about cultural bias and teasing, but I kinda think we sometimes overestimate how much people notice or care in adulthood. When I was younger, yeah, I got a few comments about my smile showing too much gum...
RE: Weirdly, chewing on the other side after a root canal can make your jaw sore
That muscle fatigue is real. After my root canal, I remember favoring my left side for chewing and suddenly the temporomandibular joint on that side started aching. It’s like the masseter and pterygoid muscles just weren...
RE: What if your implant keeps bugging you - how would you cope?
Yeah, I totally get it - logging every sensation actually calms me down too. If I just try to ignore stuff, my brain makes it worse. The popcorn ban stings... I still sneak a couple kernels sometimes but then regret it i...
RE: GETTING THROUGH THE DENTIST CHAIR WITHOUT PANIC - ANYONE TRIED SEDATION?
I get what you mean about nitrous making things more tolerable, but it didn’t really do much for me in terms of actual anxiety relief. I felt a little lighter, sure, but the anticipation leading up to the appointment was...
RE: WEIRD TRICKS PEOPLE SWEAR BY FOR WOBBLY TEETH
That dangling tooth phase is wild. My youngest kept poking at it with his tongue until it finally popped out during breakfast - cereal everywhere, but at least the drama was over. I do think if it’s hanging on too long, ...
RE: Weirdest things that actually help with braces pain
I totally relate to the fear of those percussive massagers - I just can’t imagine blasting my jaw with vibrations when it already feels tender. I’ve actually had more luck with heat than ice, though. A warm compress seem...
RE: How I pack and care for my retainer when traveling - step by step
I’m the same way about bringing a cleaning kit. I just don’t trust random hotel bathrooms to be clean enough, and I’ve seen some pretty sketchy setups. I also throw in a travel toothbrush just for my retainer - feels lik...
RE: How much is too much when it comes to fluoride rinse?
That was true for us too. The routine really made a difference, even though it felt chaotic at first. I was surprised how quickly my daughter picked up the spitting part once we stuck with it. It’s reassuring to know oth...
RE: What should I have asked before my root canal?
I totally get what you mean about feeling like your bite is off but not being able to pinpoint why. I had both the old-school bite paper and the digital scan for two different crowns, and honestly, the digital one felt a...
RE: Getting kids through the first week with braces: what actually helps?
We had a similar experience - my son was pretty grumpy for a few days. He actually preferred cold compresses on his cheeks rather than just cold drinks, which seemed to reduce inflammation faster. Did you notice any diff...
RE: The great dental quest: searching for planet-friendly floss
Tried a few of the “eco” flosses myself and ran into pretty much the same issues. Silk felt like it was just sliding around, not actually disrupting anything stuck between my teeth. I’ve got a permanent retainer on my bo...