Dental care discussions and local services.
scott_nomad
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RE: Keeping those stitches clean after a tooth pull - what worked for me
Yeah, I totally get the pressure washer fear. I was so nervous about messing up my stitches that I barely squeezed the syringe at first - like, just enough to see a trickle. It’s weird how you get obsessed with checking ...
RE: Keeping that post-root canal cheek puff under control
The ice thing is weird for me too - sometimes it almost hurts more than it helps, especially near my temples. I usually wrap the ice pack in a towel and only use it for like 10 minutes at a time, otherwise I get that bra...
RE: Surprised by what’s lurking in “healthy” snacks?
I totally get you on the popcorn thing - every time I eat it, I end up regretting it later when I’m digging at my gums for hours. Dried fruit shocked me too, honestly. I always figured “fruit = healthy,” but apparently m...
RE: Moving my jaw around after tightening: does it even help?
I totally get where you’re coming from. I kept reading online that “gentle jaw movement” was supposed to help after a tightening, but honestly, the first time I tried it I was just scared I’d make the pain worse. For me,...
RE: Switching to floss picks totally changed my nightly routine
Totally relate to the string floss drama - half the time I felt like I was auditioning for a slasher movie, not getting ready for bed. When my dentist gave me “the look” about floss picks, I felt weirdly guilty, but hone...
RE: Custom night guards vs. store-bought: which actually helps your teeth more?
I totally get the anxiety about things shifting, but honestly, I’m still not convinced custom guards are always better. I went with a store-bought one first because the dentist price was wild, and it actually fit okay af...
RE: Dealing with those sneaky in-between tooth cavities
I totally get the appeal of those floss picks - I keep a stash in my car and bag because I’m paranoid about missing a spot. Tried interdental brushes once, but honestly, they kinda freaked me out? My gums bled a bit, whi...
RE: Does mouthwash with alcohol actually work better, or nah?
I totally get the worry about switching - my dentist kept pushing the alcohol-free stuff and I was skeptical. I mean, if it doesn’t burn, is it even doing anything? But here’s the thing: I tried going back to the “classi...
RE: Did you know some electric toothbrushes actually have pressure sensors that light up if you’re brushing too hard?
Totally relate to this. I honestly thought I was being careful, but the first time my brush flashed red, I panicked like I’d set off an alarm. It’s weirdly reassuring though - at least now I know when I’m being too rough...
RE: New pain relief options after root tip surgery - anyone else see this?
I get what you’re saying about Tylenol and ice, but honestly, Tylenol barely touched the pain for me. I ended up using ibuprofen (with my dentist’s okay) and it worked way better. The gel made my mouth feel weird too... ...
RE: Bouncing back after a makeover disaster
Totally relate to the “electric-shock-to-the-brain” thing. I tried whitening trays for the first time last week and I legit thought I’d ruined my teeth forever. Same here. I kept Googling “permanent tooth sensitivity” a...
RE: Finally figured out how to get stains out like the pros
Honestly, I kind of worry about the reusable straws, especially the metal ones. My teen says they’re “cooler,” but I swear they feel weird on my teeth and I get paranoid about cleaning them right. We had a smoothie stain...
RE: Hypothetically, if you tried extracting some herbal stuff at home - like oils or tinctures - and it went kinda wrong (maybe too strong or weird smell or something), how would you fix it?
I've heard citrus juice can help, but doesn't it mess with potency or shelf-life? I'm kinda new to this myself and honestly a bit nervous about messing things up. I tried honey once to mask the alcohol taste - big mistak...
RE: Unexpected toothpaste hacks that actually work
I've wondered about the toothpaste scratching thing too... I asked my ortho about it because I was paranoid (first-time aligner wearer anxiety, lol), and she said regular toothpaste can actually cause tiny scratches over...
RE: How Long Does Your Mouthguard Usually Last?
I was super hesitant at first too, mostly because of the cost... but honestly, my dentist-made guard has lasted me almost three years now, and it's still going strong. Before that, I went through DIY ones every few month...