Dental care discussions and local services.
nancystreamer
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RE: Swollen gums and braces: is this normal or just me?
Yep, same here - every adjustment, my gums throw a bit of a tantrum for a week or so. I do think gentle brushing is key, but I actually found warm salt water rinses help a ton with the swelling (not glamorous, but it wor...
RE: EATING SOUP FOR WEEKS: HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO CHEW NORMAL FOOD AGAIN?
I get what you’re saying, but honestly, my timeline was way shorter. I was back to soft sandwiches and pasta after about six weeks, though I did have to take it slow. Maybe it depends on the type of surgery or how your b...
RE: Keeping your teeth happy: what I do for stronger gums and enamel
I totally relate to the “am I doing this right?” feeling. I’ve bounced between electric and manual brushes, too, and honestly, the old-school soft manual seems to suit me best. My hygienist swears by fluoride rinses as w...
RE: Weirdest things that actually help with braces pain
Mashed potatoes are basically the MVP of braces food, right? I totally get what you mean about the wax strips - sometimes they worked, sometimes it was just a sticky mess. Have you tried cold cucumber slices for jaw pain...
RE: Braces in your 30s: did you know teeth can move for life?
It’s wild how much it varies, isn’t it? I’ve seen some folks skip a week and their teeth barely move, while others swear they notice a shift after just one night. Genetics definitely play a part, but I wonder if age matt...
RE: Weirdest things that actually help with braces pain
Frozen grapes are such a solid hack, right? I remember trying ice packs at first, but honestly, the grapes are just more fun - and you can snack on them. I totally get what you mean about heat making things worse. I trie...
RE: What’s More Important To Ask: Pain Management Or Long-Term Tooth Health?
That’s such a real struggle - I’ve had the same doubts about whether some treatments are just “nice to have” or actually necessary. I totally get wanting to avoid pain for your kid, but also not wanting to overdo it with...
RE: Which is easier: healing from a simple extraction or a surgical one?
That’s actually really interesting - my experience was almost the reverse! My “simple” extraction felt like a breeze, but the surgical one (wisdom teeth) had me dreading every meal for a week. I do wonder if it’s partly ...
RE: SHIFTING YOUR SMILE CENTER: WHO'S USING ELASTICS VS. SPRINGS?
I’ve always thought springs were like the “set it and forget it” crockpot of orthodontics - just working away whether you want them to or not. Elastics, on the other hand, are more like that gym membership you keep meani...
RE: Keeping your teeth strong: my steps for protecting enamel
Waiting after meals before brushing was such a weird adjustment for me too, but honestly, it makes sense once you get used to the idea. Acidic foods always made my teeth feel extra sensitive if I brushed right away - my ...
RE: How much is too much when it comes to fluoride rinse?
I hear you on the weird aftertaste from some of those generic rinses. I’ve switched back and forth a few times, thinking I’d save money, but my mouth always felt off - sometimes even a bit sensitive around my gums. I do ...
RE: Weird tricks for stopping braces from tearing up my cheeks?
Chewy foods are the absolute worst for keeping those covers in place - totally agree there. For me, even something as innocent as a sandwich could send the silicone flying if I wasn’t careful. I’ve noticed anything with ...
RE: Keeping your tongue scraper from becoming a science experiment
Honestly, if your tongue scraper isn’t getting gross and you’re not noticing any weird smells or buildup, dish soap and hot water are probably doing the job. I used to overthink it too, but sometimes the simple stuff rea...
RE: How did you get your kid to ditch the binky?
I hear you on the “window” thing - it’s so hard to know if you’re doing it “right.” Honestly, I’ve seen families who went cold turkey and others who just let the binky phase out naturally. Both seemed to work out. Did yo...