Dental care discussions and local services.
trader66
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RE: How do you keep track of your gums between dentist visits?
A gum diary, huh? That’s actually a clever idea - never thought about calling it that, but I do something similar with my budget app. If my gums are acting up, I’ll just jot down what’s going on alongside my grocery list...
RE: Swollen gums and braces: is this normal or just me?
Totally get where you’re coming from. My gums puffed up like crazy the first few months and honestly, I was convinced something was wrong. Turns out, it’s pretty normal if you’re wrangling braces on a budget and can’t sp...
RE: How do you get your kids to actually brush their teeth?
I’m with you - finding the right “hook” for each kid makes a difference, but honestly, those fancy electric brushes can get pricey. We tried the singing ones, but I ended up grabbing a basic timer and some cheap stickers...
RE: Keeping old bridges in shape - what actually works?
Yeah, I tried those silicone ones too - honestly, not worth the price for me. They wore out fast and just didn’t feel like they did much. I always end up buying the cheapest pack of wire brushes at the supermarket and ju...
RE: Keeping dentures fresh when you’re forgetful like me
I used to think the same - if it didn’t smell funky, it was probably fine. But honestly, after a couple times where my dentures tasted off (and once when I got a sore spot that took forever to heal), I started rinsing an...
RE: Quick fix for small gaps between teeth
I totally get what you mean about bonding not always holding up - my dentist warned me about the chipping, especially since I grind my teeth too. Clear aligners sounded pricey at first, but honestly, they ended up being ...
RE: Keeping old bridges in shape - what actually works?
I get the gadget appeal, but honestly, I’ve stuck with the old-school interdental brushes and string floss combo. It’s not as flashy, but for the price, it does the trick - especially if you’re watching every dental doll...
RE: Switching to floss picks totally changed my nightly routine
I totally get the struggle with those flimsy picks. I went through a couple packs from the dollar store that just snapped in half if I even looked at them funny. Ended up spending a bit more on a bigger bag from Costco a...
RE: Is It Okay to Suck My Thumb at Bedtime?
I totally get the comfort thing too - sometimes you just need something to help you wind down. I used to clench my jaw at night and the dentist warned me about the long-term costs if I didn’t do something. Night guards a...
RE: How soon did you get back to your routine after a tooth pulled?
Couldn’t agree more. I went in thinking I’d be back to work the next morning - nope. Ended up using up all my “sick days” and living off instant mashed potatoes for almost a week (cheap and easy, but wow, got old fast). ...
RE: WOULD YOU NOTICE IF SOMETHING FELT "OFF" IN YOUR MOUTH?
Couldn’t agree more on the “not cheap” part. I used to wait things out because I didn’t want to pay for another appointment, but honestly, that backfired once and ended up costing me way more. I get wanting to tough it o...
RE: Would you wait or go straight for an implant after losing a tooth?
Honestly, I get wanting to wait and try a partial first - it's way less money upfront. But for me, waiting actually ended up costing more. My dentist warned me about bone loss if you leave the spot empty too long, which ...
RE: What do you do when a bracket pops off at night?
Yeah, I totally get where you're coming from. I’ve had a bracket pop off just from chewing on a soft sandwich before - so random. I usually try to tough it out for a day or two if it’s not hurting (honestly, those emerge...
RE: Knocked out tooth: anyone else try those instant repair kits?
Totally agree there - dental wax is a lifesaver when you’re on a budget or just can’t get in to see the dentist right away. I used it when my filling cracked (classic Friday night luck...) and it kept the jagged edge fro...
RE: Braces drama: teen loses teeth after DIY hacks go viral
That's exactly what I was thinking. I get why teens might be tempted - braces are crazy expensive, and not everyone has insurance coverage. When I got mine, I had to shop around and even negotiate a payment plan because ...