Dental care discussions and local services.
scarter63
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Would you get that protective coating for your kid’s molars?
I get the whole peace-of-mind thing, but man, my wallet cries every time the dentist suggests sealants. We skipped them for my kid - figured I’d just nag her about brushing and flossing instead. So far, no cavities, but ...
RE: Surprised by what’s lurking in “healthy” snacks?
Man, I hear you. I used to feel pretty smug with my “healthy” snacks until my dentist gave me the sugar rundown too. Now I’m side-eyeing every granola bar and raisin like they’re plotting against my wallet and my teeth. ...
RE: Picking the right color for your braces bands: my go-to trick
I feel this. I always try to pick a color that’ll hide coffee stains (budget hack: less cleaning = fewer whitening strips). But yeah, lighting is wild - my “teal” looked almost gray at work. Brighter colors are fun till ...
RE: What if you show up to your braces consult and forget to ask the important stuff?
Honestly, I get so distracted by all the fancy TVs and fish tanks, I forget half my questions. Last time, I remembered to ask about payment plans but totally blanked on the actual braces stuff... Maybe they do it on purp...
RE: Saw this story about a new “braces-friendly” school lunch menu - what do you pack for your kids?
Rice is the worst - my son says it’s like braces glue. We avoid it now unless I want to spend the afternoon listening to him complain. I’ve found mashed sweet potatoes are a hit, plus they’re cheap and don’t get stuck ev...
RE: Tricks for feeling good about a “toothy” smile?
Whitening is cool and all, but man… my wallet did not love the price tag. I tried those strips once - worked for a bit, but then I started thinking, do I really care enough to keep shelling out for it? I drink coffee lik...
RE: Feeling stuck between DIY whitening and the dentist’s chair
That dentist price tag is brutal, but my wallet’s still recovering from those “affordable” strips, tbh. I tried them before a wedding and couldn’t drink cold water for a week - felt like biting into icicles. The numbing ...
RE: Which is easier: healing from a simple extraction or a surgical one?
Surgical extraction was way rougher for me, no contest. I had my wisdom teeth out last year, and I swear, I felt like I’d been hit by a truck… and then run over again when I saw the bill. The regular extraction I had bef...
RE: Finally stopped my electric toothbrush from getting all gross - here’s what worked
Yeah, this is exactly what I ran into. I used to just rinse the brush, pop it in the case, and call it good - then wondered why everything smelled like a swamp after a week. Airflow is underrated. I actually started usin...
RE: Making the switch: how I use my water flosser (and where I still mess up)
Yeah, that front tooth zap is the worst. I tried warm water too - honestly, it made a big difference for my sensitive teeth and felt way less like a mini torture device. My “budget” hack is just microwaving tap water for...
RE: WHY DOES A ROOT CANAL NEED A DO-OVER? UGH.
Ha, seriously. Every time I get a bill, I wonder if I’m paying for ghostbusters or a dentist. Has anyone actually gotten insurance to pay for a redo, or is that just a unicorn?
RE: Finding the right dentist for dental implants: my step-by-step approach
Totally get it. Last time I went in, the dentist started talking about “titanium posts” and “osseointegration” like I was prepping for a quiz. Meanwhile, I’m over here just wondering if my wallet or my mouth is gonna hur...
RE: That first week after wisdom teeth removal… did anyone else swear by ice packs?
Frozen veggies are the MVP, honestly - peas, corn, whatever’s on sale. I totally hear you on the “vague instructions” thing. My dentist basically handed me a sheet that said “ice for swelling” and sent me on my merry way...
RE: How often do you actually see your dentist?
Yeah, I’m with you. I’ve skipped a couple of those “six month” visits and honestly, my teeth didn’t fall out or anything. Dentists always seem to find something tiny to fuss over - like, is that really a cavity or just a...
RE: Chewing Gum That Actually Works For Gross Breath?
Totally get this vibe. Tried the charcoal mints a few times (got a free sample at a street fair, not about to pay $10 for breath mints). Honestly? They tasted like licking a campfire, and the garlic was just… still there...