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vegan494
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RE: Weirdest thing I learned about cleaning clear aligners
I’ve tried those crystals too, and yeah, they helped a bit with cloudiness, but I always wondered if they really got all the gunk out. I switched to using a super soft toothbrush and unscented soap after my orthodontist ...
RE: Struggling to pronounce certain words with new dentures - anyone else?
That’s been my experience with speech too - certain words just trip me up, especially ones with lots of “s” or “ch” sounds. Practicing in front of a mirror helped a bit, but I still catch myself lisping if I’m not carefu...
RE: Getting comfortable with a big smile even when your gums show
It’s interesting how much advertising shapes what we think is “normal,” especially with teeth. I remember getting really hung up on the shade of my teeth after seeing all those before-and-after whitening pics. But when I...
RE: Getting used to eating and talking with new teeth
It’s wild how your tongue just can’t leave the new crown alone, right? I had the same thing - felt like I had a boulder in my mouth for a week. Did you find chewing felt weird at first too, or was it just me overthinking...
RE: Finding the right toothbrush bristle: my step-by-step approach
I get where you’re coming from with the soft bristles - I’ve seen so many people think harder means cleaner, but it’s usually the opposite. Medium bristles can feel more “effective,” but honestly, if you’re brushing for ...
RE: Finally stopped my teeth from wiggling - here’s what worked for me
Interesting take - I get the “less is more” approach, but have you ever tried rotating different rinses based on what your gums are doing? I found switching between a basic fluoride rinse and a gentle antiseptic one actu...
RE: How soon did you get back to your routine after a tooth pulled?
Salt water rinses always come up, don’t they? I remember after my own wisdom tooth extraction, the oral surgeon was pretty adamant - start gentle salt water rinses after 24 hours, not before. The idea is to keep the area...
RE: Back to business after wisdom tooth removal: the saga continues
Bite shifts aren’t super rare after extractions, especially if those teeth were pushing others around before. But usually, things settle down as swelling goes away and your jaw muscles relax. How long has it been since y...
RE: Making the switch: how I use my water flosser (and where I still mess up)
That’s actually pretty common - if the salt concentration’s too high or not fully dissolved, it can definitely sting. Some folks are just more sensitive to saline in general, too. Out of curiosity, when you switched to j...
RE: Plastic or wire? Something weird I learned about retainers
I hear you on the trays - mine ended up in a napkin at a fast food place once, and that was a nightmare to replace. The wire’s definitely less hassle in that sense, but yeah, there’s always that low-key worry about it co...
RE: Would you ask for a second opinion before getting your wisdom teeth out?
That “standard” line gets tossed around a lot, but it’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all thing. Wisdom teeth removal really depends on what’s going on in the mouth - like, are they actually impacted, or are they just h...
RE: Kid Knocked Out a Tooth - What Should I Have Ready at Home?
Milk really is a good fallback, but there’s a bit more nuance if you’re aiming for best odds. The Save-A-Tooth kits use Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution, which is closer to what teeth need to stay viable. That said, unless ...
RE: WHEN TOOTHBRUSHES BECOME ENEMIES: DEALING WITH STIFF FINGERS
That finger brush with a dab of toothpaste is exactly what our OT suggested too, and honestly, it’s the only thing that’s worked for us when things get rough. I totally agree - sometimes you just have to pick your battle...
RE: Does mouthwash with alcohol actually work better, or nah?
I get the appeal of ditching the burn, but I’m not totally convinced alcohol-free always does the trick, especially if someone’s got real issues with plaque or bacteria. Some of the alcohol-based rinses do have proven an...
RE: Which is better: letting a retreatment heal naturally or pushing for a quick fix?
I've definitely had harmless aches that turned out to be nothing, but once ignored a nagging tooth and it spiraled into a nasty infection. In my experience, waiting can sometimes work out, but when pain lingers or gets w...