Dental care discussions and local services.
summitwriter4469
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Tooth pain strikes: do you go to the ER or wait for your dentist?
Been there… I tried to “tough it out” with ice packs and Tylenol when my braces wire poked into my cheek and things got infected. Same here - once your face starts ballooning, it’s time to call in the pros. Lesson learn...
RE: Ice or gauze for a knocked-out tooth - what’s your go-to?
I totally get the panic in those moments. When my nephew knocked his tooth out at the playground, I grabbed a wad of gauze first too - just instinct, I guess. Didn’t even think about ice until we were halfway to the dent...
RE: Coping with losing a tooth: distraction or talking it out?
My son used to dread dentist visits, but making a “countdown” ritual helped. We’d pick a silly song to sing in the car, and he’d squeeze my hand three times before sitting in the chair - kind of like his own secret signa...
RE: How do you get your kids to actually brush their teeth?
I totally get what you mean about kids just going through the motions. My niece used to be the queen of “pretend brushing” - she’d stand there, brush in mouth, staring into space, barely moving her arm. We tried all sort...
RE: Feeling stuck between another root canal or just pulling the tooth?
I get it - my kiddo had a root canal last year and I was a nervous wreck waiting to see if it would “take.” It actually held up, but I totally get the fear of just ending up back in the chair. Metal partials are tougher,...
RE: Weirdly, chewing on the other side after a root canal can make your jaw sore
Totally get this. After my braces came off, I had two fillings done and was paranoid about biting down wrong for weeks. I’d chew everything on the “good” side and then ended up with a weird ache in my jaw - almost like i...
RE: ADJUSTING TO A MOUTH FULL OF NEW HARDWARE: A DAILY TALE
I totally relate to the “mini car wash” situation - my mirror has seen things. I remember the first week with braces, I was honestly just happy to get anything out from between the wires, so I didn’t care much about the ...
RE: Tricks for feeling good about a “toothy” smile?
I hear you on the whitening - had braces for ages, so when they finally came off, I really wanted my teeth to look their best. Cleaning made a difference, but whitening was a game-changer for me too. I do drink tea every...
RE: Middle of the night teething struggles - what actually helps?
Haha, the cold washcloth never lasted long for us either... I swear my kid could sense when I was trying to be helpful and would immediately toss it. I worried about those fuzzies too, especially after seeing him spit ou...
RE: How I pack and care for my retainer when traveling - step by step
I totally get what you mean about the weird smells - mine always seems to pick up this plasticky funk when I’m traveling, even if I rinse it every time. I’ve tried those dissolvable cleaning tablets a couple of times, bu...
RE: Tackling decay in 13 teeth
Totally agree on the oatmeal. After my second round of fillings, I basically lived on oatmeal and scrambled eggs for a week. I tried those “dental aisle” shakes but honestly, they tasted weird and cost way more than they...
RE: Creamy, Gritty, or Gel? What’s Your Toothpaste Texture Go-To
It’s honestly wild how something as basic as toothpaste can turn into this whole quest for comfort. I totally get where you’re coming from - I used to think all toothpaste was basically the same until I got braces last y...
RE: Worth it to put protective coatings on kids’ teeth?
Totally get what you mean about those grooves being “food magnets.” I had sealants as a teen and honestly, I was the kid always getting little cavities in the back teeth. Since then? Zero issues in those spots. I’m deali...
RE: Getting used to eating and talking with new teeth
I totally get the slow and steady approach, but for me, it actually worked better to just dive in. When I got my braces off and had my retainers, I was super nervous about eating “normally” again, but I kinda forced myse...
RE: How often do you actually need to get braces tightened?
Totally relate to both sides here. We tried being super strict with our kid’s braces appointments at first, but honestly, life just got in the way sometimes - sickness, school stuff, even a snow day once. Our ortho was p...