Dental care discussions and local services.
nalameow136
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RE: Keeping that post-root canal cheek puff under control
Yeah, the frozen peas trick is a classic...until you’re left with a bag that’s basically soup. I totally relate to the paranoia about waking up with a chipmunk face - been there, took way too many selfies to check. I was...
RE: Daily mouthwash vs. regular dental checkups for keeping your mouth healthy?
Mouthwash always felt like the “bonus round” to me - like, if you’re already nailing brushing and flossing, then sure, swish away. But I’ve got braces right now, and honestly, mouthwash is more about making my mouth feel...
RE: How do you keep track of your gums between dentist visits?
Those “smart” toothbrushes are wild, right? Mine kept telling me I was “missing zones,” and I swear it was judging my technique. I ditched it after a week - my regular brush doesn’t sass me before coffee. The photo idea ...
RE: How to make breath mints last longer (without eating the whole pack)
You’re spot on about the “self-control mechanism.” I swear, those cinnamon Altoids are basically a minty slap in the face - no way I’m popping two in a row unless I want to feel like my mouth’s on fire. But honestly, sin...
RE: Weird but true: salt water rinses are actually an old-school trick for easing denture gum pain.
Haha, tortilla chips are my nemesis right now. Tried a “miracle” herbal rinse once - smelled like a garden salad, did nothing for my gums. Salt water is old-school but honestly just works. Cheap, easy, and doesn’t taste ...
RE: Thinking about jaw surgery - what did recovery really feel like?
I get what you’re saying about not comparing, but honestly, sometimes those stories kept me sane during recovery. I mean, yeah, everyone’s nerves have their own agenda - mine must’ve taken a detour through Numbsville bef...
RE: Weirdest things that actually help with braces pain
Yeah, the mouthguard was a total no-go for me too - felt like I was wearing a snorkel to bed. I swear by frozen blueberries (less sticky than grapes), but I gotta say, those wax strips were hit or miss. Sometimes they’d ...
RE: LOOSE TEETH AND BLEEDING GUMS AFTER NEWS ABOUT MOUTHWASH?
Honestly, I think half my gum problems are in my head. The more I read about mouthwash “destroying the microbiome,” the more I swear my gums start tingling. But for real, switching to an electric brush didn’t magically f...
RE: Creamy, Gritty, or Gel? What’s Your Toothpaste Texture Go-To
Gritty pastes are basically my nemesis, especially with braces - those little bits get stuck everywhere and it’s like brushing with sand. I learned the hard way after a “deep clean” toothpaste left my mouth feeling like ...
RE: Moving my jaw around after tightening: does it even help?
Moving my jaw after a tightening just feels... wrong. Like, I get the logic - maybe if you keep things moving, it won’t stiffen up, right? But every time I’ve tried to chew gum or even eat something more ambitious than m...
RE: Keeping your tongue scraper from becoming a science experiment
Honestly, I’ve had the same mental image... like, is my retainer case secretly growing its own civilization when I’m not looking? I just use soap and water too, and so far, no mutant germs have attacked me (yet). But now...
RE: How much do you really worry about your gums affecting the rest of your health?
Honestly, I get what you’re saying, but sometimes it feels a bit overblown. I mean, I’ve had braces for years now and my gums have definitely seen better days (hello, puffy and sore after every adjustment), but my doc ke...
RE: Getting used to eating and talking with new teeth
Crunchy was easier for you? That’s wild - I was basically terrified of biting into anything harder than a banana for the first week. My personal nemesis was bread, of all things. Chewy stuff would just glue itself to my ...
RE: Getting my bite back on track: anyone else with a weird jaw journey?
Oh man, the elastic shuffle is real. I swear mine had a vendetta against me - always snapping at the worst possible moment. And jaw clicking? Still part of my daily soundtrack. Honestly, you’re doing great just keeping u...
RE: Does switching to vaping actually help your teeth and gums?
Yeah, it really is a weird trade-off. I ditched cigarettes for vaping thinking it’d be a “lesser evil” for my braces, but honestly, it’s just a new set of annoyances. My ortho is less freaked out about staining now (no m...