Dental care discussions and local services.
sbarkley91
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Best ways to keep your mouth happy after a tooth pulled?
That chlorhexidine taste really is unforgettable - like licking a battery, honestly. I’ll admit, I’m a huge fan of salt water rinses over the medicated stuff, but my dentist was pretty insistent too. Totally agree on the...
RE: Best way to get the most out of fluoride: paste or rinse first?
I get where you’re coming from about the “filmy” feeling - my teenager still complains about it sometimes. But I’ve always wondered if skipping the water rinse is really necessary. Personally, I prefer to just spit and l...
RE: Why does every night guard feel like a mouthful of plastic?
That marshmallow smuggling visual is too real. I’ve always wondered if dentists ever actually try sleeping with the guards they recommend - some of them feel like they were designed by an engineer who’s never had to wear...
RE: Best way to get the most out of fluoride: paste or rinse first?
That made me laugh - my niece did a double-take the first time she saw me skip the rinse too. I get what you mean about the sticky feeling though. It’s weird how we all grew up thinking a good rinse was the final step, b...
RE: Where do you go first in a dental crisis - ER, urgent care, or straight to your dentist?
That’s basically what my dentist told me too, but I swear the anxiety is half the battle. I’ve had mixed luck - one practice called back right away, another never did. I honestly think it depends on how much your dentist...
RE: Would you risk a week of mouth pain for a perfect smile?
I totally get where you’re coming from. I had to save up for veneers a couple years back, and honestly, the sticker shock almost made me back out. But spreading the payments over a year with my dentist’s office made it d...
RE: Choosing between autografts and allografts for better healing?
I totally get the second-guessing, but honestly, you made a really reasonable call. I’ve seen so many people go through extra pain with autografts, and it’s just not always worth it. If your recovery was smooth and you’r...
RE: Battle of the Kiddo Brushes: Sonicare for Kids vs. Oral-B Junior?
Sticky handles are my nemesis too. I swear, the Sonicare base is a magnet for toothpaste sludge - no matter how much I wipe it down. I switched my youngest to Oral-B Junior hoping it’d be less gross, and it is a bit bett...
RE: Grinding teeth at night...what if you ignored it?
Totally relate to this! I remember thinking there was no way I'd ever get used to sleeping with a night guard, but now it's just part of my bedtime routine. Honestly, it's saved me from a lot of dental drama down the roa...
RE: How Long Does Your Mouthguard Usually Last?
I totally get why you're concerned about the thickness - honestly, I was worried about that too at first. When I got mine from the dentist, it did feel a bit weird the first couple of nights. It wasn't super bulky, but I...
RE: Braces on a budget: monthly payments or upfront savings?
Totally feel you on that one. Braces can throw curveballs at you when you least expect it. From what I've seen, paying upfront can sometimes get you a decent discount - my cousin got around 10% off by doing that. But hon...
RE: Teeth slightly crooked and it's driving me nuts
Had the exact same issue a couple years back - bottom teeth shifting slightly out of nowhere. Ended up going with clear aligners, honestly best decision ever. Super discreet and way less hassle than braces. Have you look...
RE: how thorough are you with dental checkups?
That's a great point about trying less invasive options first. I've seen friends jump straight into treatments like root canals or crowns without exploring simpler solutions, and sometimes they regret it later. Personall...
RE: my dentist warned me vaping could mess up my smile, but I didn't think much of it until yesterday.
Totally agree about patience being key - gum issues are stubborn little things, lol. Salt water rinses are underrated imo, they're gentle but effective. Also, vaping definitely doesn't help...cutting back made a noticeab...
RE: Toothbrush showdown: electric vs manual for older folks
Glad you gave it a shot - I had the same hesitation at first. Honestly, the pressure sensor was a game changer for me too, especially since I tend to brush like I'm scrubbing dishes, lol. Curious if anyone's tried those ...