Dental care discussions and local services.
patriciapoet
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RE: How Long Does Your Mouthguard Usually Last?
Mine usually lasts about a year, but honestly, I'm always paranoid about bacteria buildup. I tried the denture cleaner trick once, and it worked great, but I got distracted and left it soaking overnight... woke up panick...
RE: how thorough are you with dental checkups?
I totally get the anxiety about missing something important - I feel that way myself sometimes. But honestly, I've seen cases where being overly cautious led to unnecessary procedures and stress for patients. I remember ...
RE: WISDOM TEETH OUT - HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO FEEL NORMAL AGAIN?
Yeah, it's definitely true that healing varies a ton from person to person. Had a patient recently who got all four out and was back at work in two days, no big deal. Meanwhile, when I had mine removed (just two teeth), ...
RE: surviving on smoothies and mashed potatoes: my post-tooth-pulling adventure
My daughter was exactly the same way. She'd start a movie, then halfway through she'd be scrolling on her phone or just zoning out. Honestly, I think the meds made her feel kinda foggy and restless at the same time. And ...
RE: finally figured out the best floss-mouthwash routine
Haha, I get that feeling too. Funny thing is, even though I tell patients all day how important flossing is, I was embarrassingly inconsistent myself for years. Then one day at a dental conference, another hygienist casu...
RE: Quick hacks to brighten teeth by morning?
I've had similar experiences with charcoal - felt like sandpaper on my gums, honestly. Oil pulling can be gentler, but even then, some people find coconut oil irritating if they're sensitive. I tried it once and spent th...
RE: Surviving gum surgery: ice packs are my new best friend
Frozen corn is a pretty clever idea, actually. I haven't personally tried it, but I can see how it'd mold nicely around the jawline. I tend to be a bit overly cautious (okay, maybe anxious is a better word) about using f...
RE: Surviving gum surgery: ice packs are my new best friend
I can totally understand why seeing "ice pack time" written out would feel comforting. There's something reassuring about having a clear plan when you're dealing with recovery - especially dental stuff, which can be pret...
RE: Quick trick my dentist shared to keep cavities away
Haha, glad to hear it's helping! Honestly, even as someone in the dental field, I was skeptical at first too. I remember when I first started recommending fluoride rinses, I worried patients would think it was just anoth...
RE: Getting ready for oral surgery - my game plan
Totally relate to this - I've seen patients who swear by ice cream, but personally, after my own wisdom teeth removal, cold stuff just made me cringe. Lukewarm mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs were my lifesavers... bla...
RE: Braces on a budget: monthly payments or upfront savings?
I get what you're saying about monthly payments being convenient, and for sure, sometimes waiting isn't ideal. But honestly, from my experience, monthly payments can come with their own set of headaches. A few years back...
RE: Noticed my gums acting weird lately
I've seen this happen quite a bit, actually. Funny story - I once tried a toothpaste labeled "extra gentle," thinking it'd be great for my sensitive gums. Turns out it had some sneaky mint flavoring that my gums absolute...
RE: Noticed my gums acting weird lately
Yeah, sizing is definitely key. I remember when I first started using interdental brushes - I was pretty anxious about hurting my gums, so I went for the smallest size right away. Even then, it felt weirdly scratchy at f...
RE: My experience with getting teeth whitened professionally
Totally get this. I tried professional whitening once and even with fluoride treatments, my teeth were on edge for days afterward. Now I just stick to milder home kits - slower, yeah, but way less stressful for me.
RE: Finally confident smiling in photos again
Haha, I totally get that... I've seen patients delay switching toothpastes or treatments for similar reasons. Glad you finally made the switch though - it's always nice when something simple makes such a noticeable diffe...