Dental care discussions and local services.
nwalker12
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Getting through the days after a root canal - any hacks?
Yeah, stacking pillows is a total fail for me - I always wake up halfway down the bed with my jaw aching. The neck pillow thing saved me after my last root canal, even if I looked ridiculous. Hydration’s rough when half ...
RE: Can apples and carrots actually help keep your teeth clean?
Story of my life, especially with braces. Apples and carrots just turn into a crunchy mess that wedges itself between every bracket. I’ll admit, biting into an apple feels “clean” for maybe five minutes, then it’s straig...
RE: Weirdly, chewing on the other side after a root canal can make your jaw sore
Totally get what you mean about the “jaw loop” - I swear, the more I think about my bite, the weirder it feels. It’s like when someone asks if your tongue feels weird in your mouth and suddenly you can’t stop noticing it...
RE: What would you do if your parent refused to see the dentist?
Honestly, I relate to the anxiety part - my mouth’s been in braces for ages and even routine cleanings make me sweat. Ever tried bribing your mom with a lunch date after her appointment? Wondering if that would work bett...
RE: Weirdest things that actually help with braces pain
Yeah, totally made that mistake during a movie marathon with popcorn. Regret. I’ve tried the frozen grape trick too - way less mess than peas, but my teeth didn’t love the cold. Has anyone else found something that works...
RE: 4yo has cavities; surgery needed??
I get why general anesthesia is the go-to for some kids, but honestly, I’d be nervous about putting my own little one under if there’s any other way. My nephew actually did better than expected with just the “space gas” ...
RE: How I pack and care for my retainer when traveling - step by step
Tell me about it. I once left mine in a napkin at a restaurant... never saw it again. Since then, it’s either in my toiletry bag or in my mouth - nowhere else. Not risking another “donation” to the retainer gods.
RE: Laughing gas saved my sanity during my root canal
Nitrous is honestly the unsung hero of dental work. I’ve had braces, extractions, the whole nine yards, and laughing gas is the only thing that kept me from accidentally kung-fu kicking my orthodontist. The oral meds jus...
- Replies
- 122
- Views
- 5,464
RE: How I pack and care for my retainer when traveling - step by step
Tried it once after my case started smelling funky - honestly, it worked better than I expected. Just made sure the packet didn’t touch my retainer directly. Might look weird, but hey, no mold.
RE: Switching to floss picks totally changed my nightly routine
Yeah, the threader loops are like a mini workout for your patience. I tried to be a “perfect flosser” at first, but honestly, just getting anything between my teeth felt like a win. Those skinny picks would break on me a...
RE: Making the switch: how I use my water flosser (and where I still mess up)
Same here - skipping floss is like rolling the dice with my braces. Last time I skipped, I found a rogue popcorn kernel wedged in there two days later... lesson learned. Water flosser is great, but nothing beats the old ...
RE: How soon did you get back to your routine after a tooth pulled?
I was so paranoid about dry socket I basically lived on mashed potatoes and pudding for days. Anyone else have trouble brushing around the area? I kept feeling like I was gonna mess something up if I got too close...
RE: How I keep track of my gum check-ups (and wonder if I'm doing it right)
That’s the struggle, right? My gums love to put on a show - one day they’re pink, next day they’re kinda pale, and I’m convinced something’s off. But yeah, unless there’s pain or blood, my ortho says it’s just part of th...
RE: Plastic or wire? Something weird I learned about retainers
I had both types - Hawley and Essix - and honestly, I felt like a guinea pig for a while. The Hawley did let my bite settle in a bit, but the plastic Essix felt like my teeth were in jail, no wiggle room at all. My ortho...