Dental care discussions and local services.
tobym16
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RE: Finally flossing around my implants without fear - anyone else get nervous at first?
Funny thing, I actually had the opposite happen at first. I tried being super gentle and using low pressure, but my gums still felt kind of raw after a few days. Maybe I was overthinking it or just holding the tool at a ...
RE: Does Swishing Really Keep Your Gums Healthy?
That’s helpful to hear about the chlorhexidine mouthwash, especially since I’ve been kind of nervous about my own gum issues. My dentist didn’t mention prescription rinses, just over-the-counter stuff, so maybe I’m missi...
RE: Braces in your 30s: did you know teeth can move for life?
Same here. I just got my braces off last year (at 34) and I’m still paranoid I’ll wake up one day with everything shifted again. Even with the fixed retainer, I still check in the mirror constantly. My ortho warned me ab...
RE: Eating with aligners: taking them out every meal vs. snacking less
That’s reassuring, honestly. I was convinced every time I craved a cookie, I was sabotaging my whole treatment. I do worry about the “fifty times a day” scenario, though - I’m a serial grazer and sometimes forget how oft...
RE: How much did your dental implant + extraction actually cost?
I totally relate to that “rolling the dice” feeling. I’m in the middle of this whole dental implant process right now, and honestly, the unpredictability is what’s making me most anxious. I did a ton of research before m...
RE: Saw this story about a new “braces-friendly” school lunch menu - what do you pack for your kids?
Braces-friendly pizza would be a dream, honestly. I’m just starting out with this whole braces thing as an adult, and I already miss biting into a slice without worrying about turning my mouth into a construction site. I...
RE: How soon did you get back to your routine after a tooth pulled?
I totally get this. I was convinced I’d mess something up, so I avoided even talking too much those first few days - like somehow that would help? My dentist also warned me about straws and “no spitting,” which made me s...
RE: Weirdest things that actually help with braces pain
Chewing gum after a tightening? I’ve heard that too, but honestly, my ortho was super clear about avoiding gum, even the sugarless kind. Something about risking brackets popping off or wires bending weirdly. Maybe it dep...
RE: What Helped Me Heal Faster After That Annoying Root Tip Surgery
I totally get the sticky note chaos - my bathroom mirror looked like a crime investigation board for a week. I tried setting alarms on my phone, but half the time I’d forget why it was buzzing and just swipe it off. Also...
RE: Keeping sore gums in check: what actually works for you?
This made me laugh, because I swear my first week with a water flosser looked like a scene from a slapstick movie. I honestly thought I was doing it wrong because my bathroom mirror was always covered in little water spo...
RE: Finally stopped my teeth from wiggling - here’s what worked for me
Man, reading this makes me feel a little less panicky about my own situation. I got my braces put on about three weeks ago and the gum bleeding totally threw me for a loop. I kept thinking I was doing something wrong or ...
RE: Weirdest pain after getting braces tightened - normal or not?
Yeah, hot drinks totally made it worse for me. I thought a warm cup of tea would soothe things, but nope - felt like my teeth were throbbing even more. Cold stuff stings, but at least it kind of numbs everything for a se...
RE: How I deal with a busted tooth until I can see the dentist
That “phantom” feeling is wild, right? I chipped a tooth (front one, of course) on a cherry pit last year and honestly, I couldn’t stop running my tongue over it. It felt like the Grand Canyon, even though my partner kep...
RE: Weird sensations after getting braces off - how to make it less awkward?
I wish I could say the awkwardness faded quickly for me, but honestly, it’s been almost three months and my teeth still feel weirdly “loose” sometimes - especially when I bite into something a little crunchy. Sensitive t...