Dental care discussions and local services.
zeusmitchell523
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RE: Quick fixes that helped me survive dry socket pain
Funny how “spa treatment” and “clove oil” can both burn, but only one comes with a bill. I get what you mean about home remedies - most don’t cut it for dry socket. But I’ve seen a couple folks swear by gentle saltwater ...
RE: GETTING THROUGH THE DENTIST CHAIR WITHOUT PANIC - ANYONE TRIED SEDATION?
Preach. Insurance logic is wild sometimes - like, sure, I’d love a free toothbrush but maybe I’d rather not have a full-blown panic attack while you’re yanking out my molar? I see folks freeze up all the time. Anxiety’s ...
RE: 4yo has cavities; surgery needed??
Yeah, I hear you - general anesthesia for just a couple cavities seems like overkill unless the kiddo is super anxious or can’t sit still at all. Sometimes it’s less about the teeth and more about making sure the whole t...
RE: What’s your go-to after jaw surgery: wax, salt water, or just toughing it out?
The water bottle thing is a rite of passage, honestly. I tell people after jaw surgery, you basically become a hydration cyborg - can’t leave home without your “attachment.” Wax and silicone are both kind of a gamble, es...
RE: How I stopped my gums from bleeding when I floss (step-by-step, sorta)
String flossers over the plastic picks, 100%. Those little plastic swords are like trying to brush your teeth with a toothpick. And about salt water - sure, it’s the old-school “fix,” but if you’re skipping the basics, i...
RE: SHIFTING YOUR SMILE CENTER: WHO'S USING ELASTICS VS. SPRINGS?
Springs are like the over-caffeinated cousins of elastics - way more persistent, but yeah, they can be a little feisty if your kid’s a wild one. I’ve seen springs pop out during soccer practice, but honestly, it’s not su...
RE: Crowns after root canal: always, sometimes, or nah?
Honestly, “it depends” is dentist-speak for “I don’t wanna commit.” With baby molars, crowns are usually the go-to after a root canal - those little teeth get fragile. But if there’s barely any decay and most of the toot...
RE: What Helped Me Heal Faster After That Annoying Root Tip Surgery
I’ll never understand why alcohol mouthwash is still a thing after dental work - it’s like adding insult to injury. Saltwater’s boring, but it works and doesn’t make you want to punch a wall. I’m with you on the warm com...
RE: Ever notice how veneers were invented by a Hollywood dentist?
Honestly, I think it was a little of both. Hollywood’s always been about appearances, but I’ve seen plenty of “real people” come in after a rogue olive pit or a surprise walnut in banana bread. Veneers were basically a q...
RE: Would you freak out if your stitches took longer to dissolve?
Wouldn’t freak out unless it’s red, puffy, or giving off that “uh-oh” taste. I’ve seen stitches hang out way past their welcome - sometimes they’re just stubborn. If it’s comfy and not catching lunch leftovers, you’re pr...
RE: How did you get your kid to ditch the binky?
Trading for a toy car is brilliant - honestly, I wish someone had offered me a Hot Wheels when I was stuck on my thumb as a kid. You’re right, there’s a ton of hype around pacifiers and thumb-sucking. I get where my coll...
RE: How I deal with a busted tooth until I can see the dentist
You’re not alone - half my patients admit to eating more wax than they’d like to remember. As for those temporary filling kits, I’ve seen folks come in with what looks like chewed-up gum mashed into their tooth... usuall...
RE: Weirdest pain after getting braces tightened - normal or not?
That’s actually pretty common, believe it or not. I’ve seen folks who can eat tortilla chips but wince at oatmeal… teeth are weird. Sometimes it’s just the way the pressure hits the nerves that week. Braces pain is like ...
RE: Which one actually gets your teeth cleaner: blasting with water or good ol’ string floss?
Threading floss around braces really does feel like defusing a bomb - one wrong move and you’re convinced the whole thing will explode. Waterpiks are great for blasting out food (and making a mess of your mirror), but ye...