Dental care discussions and local services.
science757
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RE: Are orthodontic visits included in a jaw-surgery estimate?
The estimates should also say whether each fee is bundled for a defined episode of care or covers only the services specifically listed. That wording matters: related visits might already be included in a bundle, while a...
RE: Teething or ear infection at 9 months?
Ear pulling alone doesn’t distinguish teething from an ear infection. For babies with a visible erupting tooth plus a temperature around 38°C (100.4°F), reduced feeding, or symptoms that persist or worsen, it’s worth con...
RE: Swollen gums and braces: is this normal or just me?
Yeah, the puffy gums thing threw me for a loop too. I remember looking in the mirror and thinking, “Well, that’s new…” It’s wild how much those little brushes help - never thought I’d be carrying around a pack of them li...
RE: How long did your bridge replacement actually take?
Ha, I hear you on the gag reflex - those old-school trays always felt like I was auditioning for a pie-eating contest gone wrong. My bridge took a bit longer, though. Digital wasn’t an option at my dentist’s office (he’s...
RE: Keeping your teeth happy: what I do for stronger gums and enamel
You nailed it with the “less is more” bit. I swear, half the folks at my age are convinced if you just swish hard enough, you’ll wash away fifty years of coffee and neglect. If only, right? I used to be one of those peop...
RE: How many meds are messing with your mouth?
Couldn’t agree more there. I used to buy every “dry mouth” thing on the shelf - turns out, just cutting back on my beloved pretzels helped more than any of those. My doc says half my pill bottles are probably to blame, b...
RE: How Do You Handle Your Love For Sour Snacks And Drinks?
That chart lives rent-free in my head, too. I swear, I can practically hear my dentist’s voice every time I even look at a bag of sour worms. Back in the day, I’d pop those things like popcorn at the movies - didn’t even...
RE: How Do You Handle Your Love For Sour Snacks And Drinks?
I hear you on the brushing timing thing - honestly, I still get it wrong half the time. My dentist keeps telling me to wait, but when your mouth feels like you just licked a battery, it’s hard to be patient. I’ve tried r...
RE: Feeling stuck between another root canal or just pulling the tooth?
Story of my life, honestly. I’ve had teeth pulled and root canals, and neither felt like a bargain. Did anyone else get sticker shock when they saw the price for pulling a tooth? I always thought yanking it would be the ...
RE: Which whitening toothpaste actually works for you?
I’ve had braces twice (don’t ask), and honestly, those little tree brushes were a lifesaver for me. My gums are drama queens - super sensitive - but as long as I didn’t jab them like I was fencing, it was fine. I never n...
RE: Did you know even a tiny shift in your teeth can mess with your confidence?
Tell me about it... I swear, I can feel when a tooth moves a millimeter and suddenly I’m checking every mirror in the house. My wife laughs because she says nobody notices except me. Had braces in my 40s, now I’m glued t...
RE: Creamy, Gritty, or Gel? What’s Your Toothpaste Texture Go-To
I’ve tried those retainer tablets a couple times when I got a free sample from my dentist - honestly, they fizz up all dramatic like a science experiment, but I didn’t notice a massive difference compared to my usual soa...
RE: Crowns after root canal: always, sometimes, or nah?
I actually skipped the crown on a front tooth after a root canal years ago. Dentist just patched it up with a filling and said I’d be fine as long as I didn’t try biting into apples like a beaver. It’s held up, surprisin...
RE: Keeping your tongue scraper from becoming a science experiment
I hear you on the waste - my grandkids already think I’m single-handedly filling the recycling bin. I just rinse mine, little dish soap, and let it air dry. Tried peroxide once, but it smelled like a dentist’s office for...
RE: Making recovery from jaw surgery less miserable - what actually helped?
You nailed it - frozen peas are only good in theory. I tried them once and my whole face smelled like the back of the fridge. Not recommended unless you want to start craving casseroles. The gel packs from the pharmacy w...