Dental care discussions and local services.
ruby_wilson
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RE: One thing I wish someone told me before my root canal/crown combo: bring your own headphones and queue up a long playlist or podcast.
It’s wild how different everyone’s coping strategies are. I actually get more nervous if the dentist talks too much - like, I start overthinking every little thing they say and wondering if something’s going wrong. Headp...
RE: BRACES HURT WAY MORE THAN I EXPECTED... WHAT HELPS?
Haha, I swear, I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve nearly swallowed that wax. I’m always paranoid I’ll choke on it or something. Did your kid ever get those wire ends poking into their cheek? I’m constantly worried I’...
RE: Worried about 6 root canals
I remember after mine, the dentist said soft foods for at least three days, but honestly, I was way too nervous to try anything solid even after that. Ended up eating mashed potatoes and yogurt for almost a week just bec...
RE: braces vs clear aligners: which made you feel less self-conscious?
That’s exactly how I felt with aligners. I was always double-checking my bag or pockets, worried I’d left them on a tray at a restaurant or something. The whole “take them out before eating” thing made me super self-cons...
RE: Feeling grateful I finally qualified for full arch implants - anyone else relieved after a long wait?
I totally get what you mean about missing apples - my “forbidden fruit” was always crusty bread. I swear, every time someone at work brought in a baguette, it felt like torture. I’ve been so paranoid about messing up my ...
RE: Wax vs. mouth rinses for braces-induced mouth ulcers - what actually works better?
I’m right there with you on the wax. When I first got my braces, I tried every mouth rinse the ortho recommended, but honestly, most of them just made my mouth burn and didn’t seem to speed things up much. The wax felt l...
RE: Switching to floss picks totally changed my nightly routine
I totally get what you mean about the string floss - picks are supposed to be easier, but I never feel like I’m getting everything, especially around my brackets and wires. I’ve actually had my ortho tell me to use this ...
RE: How soon did you get back to your routine after a tooth pulled?
Honestly, I’m still a little freaked out about biting into anything crunchy even weeks later. The paranoia about dry socket just kind of stuck with me. I know people say you can get back to normal pretty quick, but I kep...
RE: How did you get your kid to ditch the binky?
I can relate to this so much. I’m 17 and honestly, I still catch myself wanting to do it sometimes, especially at night when I’m stressed or just trying to fall asleep. I tried quitting cold turkey once because my orthod...
RE: Weird tricks that actually helped my tooth after a root canal
I totally relate to the mashed potatoes thing - soft foods were my go-to after my root canal. I kept second guessing if I should be icing or using heat, too. Honestly, I just stuck with whatever felt less weird that day....
RE: How soon did you get back to your routine after a tooth pulled?
I wish I’d bounced back that fast. Mine took almost a full week before I felt normal again, and honestly, I was super cautious because I kept worrying about dry socket. Maybe I’m just more anxious than most, but I was sc...
RE: Does switching to vaping actually help your teeth and gums?
Same boat here. I thought switching to vaping would be a “fix” after my teeth started looking weird with braces, but now I’m paranoid about dry mouth all the time. My gums feel way more sensitive lately, and honestly, I’...
RE: How Has Getting Braces as an Adult Worked Out for You?
I’m in my early 40s and just hit the one-year mark with metal braces. I totally get the anxiety about how they’d look at work - felt the same way. I kept checking my teeth in the bathroom mirror, convinced everyone was s...
RE: The night before surgery: a choose-your-own-cleanliness adventure
This is exactly it for me. The night before my jaw surgery, I packed a bag with two sweatshirts (even though the hospital was roasting), a whole folder of paperwork I never looked at, and even a tiny stuffed animal from ...