Dental care discussions and local services.
pumpkin_jones
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RE: Mint overload or gum? Struggling to pick what actually works
I get what you mean about the gum just sort of “covering” things up. I’ve noticed the same with mints - sometimes it’s like minty onion, which is not an improvement. Those disposable toothbrushes are a lifesaver, though....
RE: Ice or gauze for a knocked-out tooth - what’s your go-to?
I always reach for gauze first, just out of habit, but honestly I’ve never remembered the “put the tooth back in” part in the moment. My dentist said milk is good too, but who actually has that handy? The panic definitel...
RE: Best Mouthwashes for Sensitive Teeth?
I’m right there with you - fancy mouthwashes always seem to promise the world, but most just leave me with a weird tingly feeling or that Sahara Desert dry mouth. I’ve bounced between Sensodyne and a couple “premium” rin...
RE: Keeping those stitches clean after a tooth pull - what worked for me
I completely relate to the paranoia about brushing near stitches - I was convinced I’d somehow unravel them just by looking at them too hard. Ended up doing this weird half-brush, half-hover routine for a few days, which...
RE: Feeling stuck between another root canal or just pulling the tooth?
I totally relate to the popcorn kernel incident - those things are like landmines for dental work. I’m in a similar spot now, weighing whether to try another root canal or just pull the tooth and deal with a partial. The...
RE: Weird but true: salt water rinses are actually an old-school trick for easing denture gum pain.
I’ve tried both sea salt and regular table salt for rinses, and honestly, I do notice a difference. Table salt always leaves this weird, almost chemical aftertaste for me - maybe it’s the additives? Sea salt feels a bit ...
RE: How much did your dental implant + extraction actually cost?
Yeah, the unpredictability is honestly exhausting. I was quoted one price for extraction and implant, then at my consult they started talking about possible sinus lifts and “we won’t know till we get in there.” It feels ...
RE: Why Does Post-Extraction Care Feel Like a Mystery?
Totally agree - there’s so much conflicting info, even from the same office sometimes. I’m still confused about when it’s actually safe to start rinsing with salt water. Did anyone get a straight answer on that? My instr...
RE: Tricks for feeling good about a “toothy” smile?
I get hung up on this too, especially after my dentist pointed out how much gum shows when I smile. I’ve tried doing the “closed-mouth” smile, but honestly, it just feels awkward. Looking back at photos, the ones where I...
RE: Keeping your mouth clean after dental work: new study says we might be overdoing it?
That’s interesting - simplifying worked for you, but I’ve had a different experience. After getting a crown last year, I went the “bare minimum” route for a while (just brushing and flossing), and my gums started getting...
RE: Switching to floss picks totally changed my nightly routine
We’ve been in a similar spot, and honestly, I’m still not convinced the water flosser does everything string floss does. My kid loves blasting away at his teeth, but at his last cleaning, the hygienist still found some g...
RE: Finally stopped my teeth from wiggling - here’s what worked for me
Totally get what you mean about the “scraping” feeling - it’s oddly satisfying, right? I tried going full water flosser for a while because it seemed so much easier, but honestly, my dentist could always tell. There was ...
RE: Making the switch: how I use my water flosser (and where I still mess up)
Popcorn is my nemesis too - those little shells just love to wedge in impossible spots. I’ve definitely had a bracket pop off once thanks to a rogue kernel, so now I just don’t risk it. The water flosser’s been a game-ch...
RE: How soon did you get back to your routine after a tooth pulled?
Totally get where you’re coming from - dry socket is the stuff of nightmares. My son was the same, acting like nothing happened two days later, but I hovered for a week, probably more than I needed to. He tried sneaking ...
RE: If Your Braces Hurt Like Crazy At Night, What’s Your Go-To Fix?
I totally get wanting to keep things simple, but I actually found the “tiny rules” can make a big difference for me - especially when it comes to pain at night. I tried the ice water trick a few times, and honestly, it d...