Dental care discussions and local services.
susansailor
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RE: Can whitening toothpaste stain or roughen composite bonding?
Whitening strips can lighten natural enamel, but they won’t bleach composite bonding. So if the surrounding teeth get lighter, the bonding may look darker by comparison even though its own shade hasn’t changed. That’s wh...
RE: Kicked cigarettes for a vape - my gums actually stopped bleeding
I’ve been thinking about switching to vaping for the same reason - my gums have been a mess since I started smoking. It’s reassuring to hear that the inflammation actually got better for you, even if dry mouth is still a...
RE: Surprised by what’s lurking in “healthy” snacks?
Trail mix gets me every time. I keep thinking it’s the “good” snack - nuts, seeds, a little dried fruit - but then I bite into some rogue almond chunk and immediately start worrying about my teeth. I totally get that wei...
RE: Why is it so hard to get consistent aftercare for a chipped tooth?
I totally get what you’re saying about wanting more real conversation and less generic paperwork, but I actually find those pain charts kind of helpful - at least as a starting point. Like, I’m the type who second-guesse...
RE: EATING SOUP FOR WEEKS: HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO CHEW NORMAL FOOD AGAIN?
Totally relate to that “every bite is a risk” feeling. I’m just starting this whole process and honestly, even mashed potatoes feel like a challenge right now. Reading your experience makes me less worried that I’m doing...
RE: THINGS I WISH I’D ASKED BEFORE MY KID’S FIRST DENTIST VISIT
That’s funny about the stickers - my daughter will do literally anything for a sparkly unicorn one, so I totally get that. I was actually surprised by how much the whole vibe of the place mattered. The first dentist we t...
RE: Tricks for feeling good about a “toothy” smile?
I totally relate to this. After I got my braces off, every tiny gap or spot felt huge to me, but my friends couldn’t even tell. Did you ever try practicing smiling in the mirror to get used to your new look? I’ve heard t...
RE: Weirdest things that actually help with braces pain
I totally get what you mean about the wax - it’s like chewing on a scented candle that’s lost its scent. I tried the silicone covers after my ortho gave me a sample pack, and honestly, they were a bit of a game changer f...
RE: Saw a news piece about more adults getting braces - what’s it really like?
I totally get the spinach thing - had a piece of cilantro stuck for half a day before anyone told me. It’s wild how self-conscious you get at first, but after a few weeks I stopped caring as much. I’m still in my first y...
RE: Did you know even a tiny shift in your teeth can mess with your confidence?
That’s interesting, because I actually kind of disagree with the idea that “minor” means it’s not a big deal. When my front tooth shifted just a tiny bit after braces, nobody else noticed, but it bothered me every time I...