Dental care discussions and local services.
samsculptor
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RE: Keeping your mouth healthy after a root canal – what worked for you?
That mental block with chewing on the treated side is so real - I kept catching myself doing the same thing, even though my dentist said it was fine. I’m curious, did anyone else notice their bite feeling “off” for a whi...
RE: Braces for buck teeth vs deep bites: did you know they're not the same thing?
I kinda feel the opposite - like, I actually want to know what all those terms mean. When my ortho mentioned “overjet” vs “overbite,” I started googling and realized they’re not just random words. Turns out, the way your...
RE: How do you get your kids to actually brush their teeth?
Letting her pick toothpaste is actually pretty clever, but do you ever worry she’ll only want the super-sweet or sparkly ones and not get used to regular flavors? I’ve read mixed things about those novelty pastes. Does i...
RE: Keeping your mouth clean after dental work: new study says we might be overdoing it?
I know what you mean about feeling like you have to do every single step, every single time. I just got braces a few months ago and it’s kind of wild how much stuff there is - brush, floss, rinse, check for food, repeat....
RE: What’s More Important To Ask: Pain Management Or Long-Term Tooth Health?
I’m curious - when you ask about waiting, do dentists ever give you actual stats or just general risks? I always wonder if there’s a way to know the real odds of something going wrong versus just being cautious. Sometime...
RE: What foods did you give up or swap after getting braces?
I totally relate to the caramel apple craving - I never even liked them before braces, but suddenly they seemed like the forbidden fruit. Did you notice if your cravings changed depending on how sore your teeth were? For...
RE: Making the switch: how I use my water flosser (and where I still mess up)
I totally relate to the water flosser chaos - my first try, I managed to spray my shirt, the floor, and somehow my cat (don’t even ask). I’m still figuring out the angle thing. When you say “keep your mouth mostly closed...
RE: How soon did you get back to your routine after a tooth pulled?
Interesting take - I'm actually kind of the opposite when it comes to this stuff. After my molar extraction, I tried to distract myself and not check too much, mostly because I tend to spiral into worst-case scenarios if...
RE: Which one actually gets your teeth cleaner: blasting with water or good ol’ string floss?
That’s exactly how I feel. I keep wondering if the water flosser is just kind of spraying things around instead of really getting them out. I like how easy it is on my gums, but I’m never sure if it’s actually doing the ...
RE: Scraping my tongue: is it worth splurging on a fancy one?
I’m curious about this too. Do the ones with ridges actually get more gunk off, or is it just marketing? Also, does anyone find their scraper gets dull over time, or am I imagining that?
RE: DOES EVERY CAVITY REALLY NEED A CROWN OR IS IT OVERKILL SOMETIMES?
That’s exactly what confuses me. How do you even tell if a big filling will hold up or if it’s just a matter of time before it cracks? Is there some way dentists actually measure how much tooth is left, or is it kinda ju...
RE: Weird sensations after getting braces off - how to make it less awkward?
That “too smooth” feeling is so weird, right? I actually noticed my teeth felt almost slippery, and it freaked me out for a couple days. Did you ever get that almost “hollow” sensation when you bite down, like your teeth...
RE: Why does every night guard feel like a mouthful of plastic?
Interesting - my dentist actually recommended a dual-layer guard for me, which is thin on the inside but has a harder outer shell. It’s not as bulky as the chunky ones, but it hasn’t worn through yet either. I do wonder ...
RE: Finding the right dentist for dental implants: my step-by-step approach
That’s actually super helpful to hear. I’m still trying to figure out the best way to communicate with dental offices, especially since I haven’t started the implant process yet. I always thought email would be easier fo...
RE: Weird sensations after getting braces off - how to make it less awkward?
My son went through the same thing with his clear retainer - he said it felt like a mouthguard at first and he hated how it changed his voice. Practicing reading out loud actually helped him get used to talking with it i...