Dental care discussions and local services.
retro_pumpkin
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RE: Fresh breath: better from flossing or mouthwash?
That makes a lot of sense. I’ve got braces right now and honestly, flossing is such a pain with all the wires and stuff, but I still try to do it every night. Before I started ortho, I was super lazy about flossing and j...
RE: What would you do if your kid knocked out a tooth at the playground?
That’s wild - didn’t know about the milk trick until I started braces and my ortho gave me a little “what to do in an emergency” sheet. I always wondered, though, does it really matter if it’s cow’s milk or can it be lik...
RE: How many meds are messing with your mouth?
I’ve noticed my braces make the dry mouth from my meds even worse, especially at night. Did you ever try switching brands or types of toothpaste, or do you just stick with what works once you find it? I’m always second-g...
RE: Coping with losing a tooth: distraction or talking it out?
Losing a tooth really does mess with your head, right? I got braces as an adult and lost a premolar in the process (long story - root cracked during movement). I remember just staring at my smile and thinking, “Is everyo...
RE: Swollen gums and braces: is this normal or just me?
Yeah, I noticed the swelling gets way worse right after my ortho tightens things up. It’s like clockwork for a day or two, then it chills out. I switched to a really soft toothbrush too, and honestly, it helped a bit wit...
RE: Getting those plastic coatings as an adult - worth it?
Getting those sealants as an adult felt a little weird to me, honestly. I always thought they were just for kids with new teeth coming in, but my dentist pitched it as a way to protect my “deep grooves” (which, thanks, I...
RE: ADJUSTING TO A MOUTH FULL OF NEW HARDWARE: A DAILY TALE
I’ve totally stabbed my gums with those little brushes when I’m in a rush, and I swear my mouth holds a grudge all day. Does anyone else feel like pre-threaded flossers just get stuck in the weirdest spots? I try to at l...
RE: Why is post-extraction care so confusing?
I always wondered about the “no seeds” thing too - like, if applesauce is off-limits, what about stuff like yogurt with fruit bits? Does anyone actually check every spoonful for tiny pieces, or do you just hope for the b...
RE: How I pack and care for my retainer when traveling - step by step
I totally get what you mean about the paranoia. I keep thinking I’ll leave my retainer on a hotel nightstand or lose it in my bag somewhere. The “retainer in the case” mantra is actually pretty smart - might have to try ...
RE: Switching to floss picks totally changed my nightly routine
I get what you mean about the guilt - used to beat myself up for missing a night, then just give up for weeks. About the rubber picks, I’ve tried them and honestly, they feel gentler but sometimes stuff gets stuck anyway...
RE: How often do you actually need to get braces tightened?
That’s exactly what drives me nuts. My ortho told me 4-6 weeks is “typical,” but then I’ve heard people say they go 8 weeks or longer sometimes, depending on the stage. I always wonder if missing by a week or two is real...
RE: What should I have asked before my root canal?
That gritty feeling is so weird, I totally get what you mean. When you mentioned the temp filling crumbling a bit, it made me wonder - how do you know if it's just normal wear or if it's a sign something's going wrong? L...
RE: How did you get your kid to ditch the binky?
My daughter actually did start sucking her thumb for a bit after the binky fairy, which I was kinda worried about. She never really got into biting blankets or anything, but the thumb thing lasted a few months. Her denti...
RE: Keeping your tongue scraper from becoming a science experiment
Honestly, I’ve wondered the same thing - how do you even know if those UV boxes are actually killing germs, or just making stuff warm and glowy? I tried one for my aligners and it just felt like overkill. Plus, I kept fo...
RE: Kicking the thumb habit - anyone else see their kid’s teeth straighten out?
That’s interesting - my kid stopped around 5, and honestly, her teeth looked totally crooked at first but then just kinda shifted back over the next year. Did your nephew have speech issues too, or was it just the palate...