Dental care discussions and local services.
nmeow96
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RE: Safest way to clean bonding along the gumline?
Avoid abrasive whitening toothpastes and polishing powders around composite bonding. They may not whiten the bonding, and repeated abrasion can roughen the composite surface, making plaque and staining cling more easily....
RE: Saw this story about a new “braces-friendly” school lunch menu - what do you pack for your kids?
That line made me laugh a little - my kiddo would eat pizza every day if he could, but obviously braces make that tricky. I totally agree about the cost of tortillas. At first I thought buying a big pack would last, but ...
RE: Keeping a tooth alive after a root canal - anyone else paranoid?
That’s exactly what freaks me out - if the tooth is “dead,” does that mean it’s just a matter of time before something goes wrong? I’m in braces now and my ortho keeps talking about how root-canaled teeth can shift or br...
RE: Keeping pain at bay after wisdom tooth extraction: worth the fuss?
That metallic taste thing happened to me too, and honestly it freaked me out. I kept worrying maybe something was wrong, but my dentist said it’s pretty normal as long as there’s no really bad smell or weird swelling. Bu...
RE: How I pack and care for my retainer when traveling - step by step
I get super nervous about cleaning tablets - like, what if there’s still residue left over? Do you rinse your retainer after using them, or just trust it’s safe? Also, have you ever had one crack in your pocket from not ...
RE: What’s your go-to after jaw surgery: wax, salt water, or just toughing it out?
I’ve wondered about the silicone ones too, but I’m honestly nervous to switch. I always feel like anything new is going to make things worse somehow. Wax gets so weird with coffee, but I’m scared silicone might just feel...
RE: Tackling decay in 13 teeth
That’s honestly what I’m worried about… how do you even know when waiting for a second opinion is worth it? I’ve got a few teeth my ortho flagged as “watch closely” and now I’m kind of anxious that waiting could make thi...
RE: Feeling normal after a root canal - did anyone else bounce back quick?
Same here. I had braces before my root canal, so I was already hyper-aware of every click or pressure. After the root canal, I kept thinking I’d mess something up if I bit the wrong way. My dentist said it was fine, but ...
RE: Which one actually gets your teeth cleaner: blasting with water or good ol’ string floss?
I’m always worried I’ll mess up my wires with regular floss, too. Every time I try to thread it through, I feel like I’m playing Operation and if I slip, something’s gonna snap. I have a Waterpik but sometimes I wonder i...
RE: Tablets vs. soaks: Which is better for cleaning dentures?
I totally relate to the worry about cleaning - sometimes I feel like I’m going to mess up my retainer just by brushing it wrong. I’ve always wondered if those tablets actually get everything off, or if they leave some we...
RE: Electric vs manual toothbrush after a root canal - what’s worked for you?
I totally get this. After my root canal, I was honestly scared to even use a toothbrush near that tooth. The first time I tried my electric brush again, I panicked a bit - just the vibration freaked me out. Did anyone el...
RE: Does mouthwash with alcohol actually work better, or nah?
I totally get what you mean about the “burn” feeling. I used to think it meant it was working too, but my orthodontist actually told me to avoid alcohol mouthwash because it can dry your mouth out, which sometimes makes ...
RE: Custom Teeth Whitening Trays: Did You Know They’re Reusable?
I wish I could be that chill about it. Every time my trays start looking cloudy, I get nervous that I’m not cleaning them right or that they’re going to get gross. I tried using a toothbrush once and totally agree - the ...
RE: Braces day jitters: did anyone else feel like a cyborg?
I totally get what you mean about feeling like a cyborg. Was it just me, or did talking feel super weird at first? I kept worrying everyone could hear the metal in my mouth. Did you ever have trouble with food getting st...
RE: Swollen gums after getting braces - normal or not?
That’s interesting about the toothbrush. I actually switched to a softer one but I’m still getting puffy gums, especially after eating bread or chips. Is it normal if the swelling comes and goes? I get kind of nervous ev...