Heather's Heavenly Vapes - THE BIG THREAD (Part 6)

[76bridget]

Bad news from the dentist. I don't know what makes anyone think any visit to the dentist is simple. They NEVER are!! They opened my piehole and all I could see in their eyes was green...as in $$. I'm looking at five or six teeth that will need varying degrees of work. Anything from a simple re-drill/re-fill to re-crowns to new crowns to possible implant (on the one the cap fell off). Let the fun begin.

Drinking milk doesn't help your teeth I don't care what they say. No one drinks more milk than me but you'd never know it by my teeth.

Advice (I'm sure Bridget will back me up): Go to the dentist at least once a year for a checkup. They can fix problems BEFORE they get exponentially worse (and cost an arm and a leg).

GET A SECOND OPINION.. It could save you thousands. There are more conservative dentists out there..

Exactly. And children learn to be good little consumers. And they learn to complain and refuse to eat home-cooked meals.
!

Not if you don't go out often.. We ate at home most of the time my kids were growing up. I'd say we ate out less than once a week. They will eat when they get hungry!

Do get a second opinion on this one just to be sure. I had a dentist who retired and her (recent) partner took over - same one who root canaled my problem tooth. One year he rattled up an estimate close to $4K! Went to another dentist, the one I use now - he examined, and said none of it needed doing. I also think my original (the retired) dentist did a lot of "make work" that has since caused more problems.

Yes!!

I've heard nothing but good about electric toothbrushes. This hygienist chick said the sonicare is better than the oral-b. Said it has a better brush head and motion. Looks like the Flexcare Platinum can be got for $118 (Prime) on Amazon. Guessing they rape you on the replacement heads.

I like the sonicare toothbrush. No, you don't need all the bells and whistles. I've used both sonicare and oral B, prefer the sonicare. My doc prefers the oral B. The sonicare vibration is too weird for some people.

Well, that's a big reason why I'm interested in it. You can buy lots of sonicares for what these dentists charge to fix your teeth. How long do the brush heads last?

You should replace any brush every 3 months. Walmart has equate versions that fit and are cheaper. Just make sure they are Soft. More than soft just scrubs your gums away.

@Bronze digital x-rays can be manipulated (with a simple click and drag), sometimes for good, and sometimes not. I know it hasn't been that long since you went to the DDS.. a couple of years maybe?? I will say Mountain Dew is hell on teeth. Sugar and acid are a bad combo for enamel. If you are gonna drink it, drink it and be done. No sipping on it all day. Listerine Total Care is great for reducing the bacteria level in the mouth. NOTHING replaces flossing tho. Remember the back teeth are like bricks; plaque (bacteria) is the mortar and you'll never remove it no matter how fancy the toothbrush. Get some floss picks, use them and the sonicare every night. Brush in the morning. Stepping down...

 

[LAwaters]

GET A SECOND OPINION.. It could save you thousands. There are more conservative dentists out there..


Not if you don't go out often.. We ate at home most of the time my kids were growing up. I'd say we ate out less than once a week. They will eat when they get hungry!


Yes!!


I like the sonicare toothbrush. No, you don't need all the bells and whistles. I've used both sonicare and oral B, prefer the sonicare. My doc prefers the oral B. The sonicare vibration is too weird for some people.

You should replace any brush every 3 months. Walmart has equate versions that fit and are cheaper. Just make sure they are Soft. More than soft just scrubs your gums away.

@Bronze digital x-rays can be manipulated (with a simple click and drag), sometimes for good, and sometimes not. I know it hasn't been that long since you went to the DDS.. a couple of years maybe?? I will say Mountain Dew is hell on teeth. Sugar and acid are a bad combo for enamel. If you are gonna drink it, drink it and be done. No sipping on it all day. Listerine Total Care is great for reducing the bacteria level in the mouth. NOTHING replaces flossing tho. Remember the back teeth are like bricks; plaque (bacteria) is the mortar and you'll never remove it no matter how fancy the toothbrush. Get some floss picks, use them and the sonicare every night. Brush in the morning. Stepping down...

Great info! I wouldn’t have thought of what you said about the digital image. I should have since I work on stuff like that all the time. I’m still too ready to believe the best of people. But you’re absolutely right.

How do you feel about all the whitening products out there? I had a dentist tell me long ago that it’s too hard on the enamel and eventually etches it. Then people will have teeth that are sensitive and prone to staining. He was very cautious. I’m curious what you think.

 

[76bridget]

Whitening is good. You are not going to get it from any toothpaste. Crest Whitestrips are all we recommend for over the counter products. Beyond that, you can get Opalescence Go (100ish for 10 sets of trays) from a DDS, which is stronger, therefore faster than white strips. Custom trays are nice but carry a hefty price tag.. about $400 in my office.

Do not use charcoal! That is the big new thing and it's super abrasive.

Sensitivity with any whitening is temporary. In my personal case, it makes my teeth super sensitive, so I rarely do it. Even just a few days is misery. It goes away tho. Some people have no sensitivity at all.

Science: your enamel has micro tubules, and carbamide peroxide cleans out those tubules, thus allowing fluid movement.. hence the sensitivity.

 

[Bronze]

GET A SECOND OPINION.. It could save you thousands. There are more conservative dentists out there..


Not if you don't go out often.. We ate at home most of the time my kids were growing up. I'd say we ate out less than once a week. They will eat when they get hungry!


Yes!!


I like the sonicare toothbrush. No, you don't need all the bells and whistles. I've used both sonicare and oral B, prefer the sonicare. My doc prefers the oral B. The sonicare vibration is too weird for some people.

You should replace any brush every 3 months. Walmart has equate versions that fit and are cheaper. Just make sure they are Soft. More than soft just scrubs your gums away.

@Bronze digital x-rays can be manipulated (with a simple click and drag), sometimes for good, and sometimes not. I know it hasn't been that long since you went to the DDS.. a couple of years maybe?? I will say Mountain Dew is hell on teeth. Sugar and acid are a bad combo for enamel. If you are gonna drink it, drink it and be done. No sipping on it all day. Listerine Total Care is great for reducing the bacteria level in the mouth. NOTHING replaces flossing tho. Remember the back teeth are like bricks; plaque (bacteria) is the mortar and you'll never remove it no matter how fancy the toothbrush. Get some floss picks, use them and the sonicare every night. Brush in the morning. Stepping down...

Well, that’s discomforting knowing those xrays can be manipulated. I admit I’m untrusting of dentists. I’ve had three in my adult life. 1 and 3 were excellent. Just did what they had to do. Nothing fancy. 2 was out for the bucks. I dumped her like a bad habit in quick order. The guy I saw today took over from 3 who retired two years ago. First time I met him. Younger guy. I noticed none of 3’s staff remains except one elderly lady who had been with 3 forever. I asked her how Doc D (#3) was doing. She said he has never checked in since he sold his practice. It kind of made me go hmmmmm. Now it’s making me go get a second opinion. You and Hula are right. As I puzzle this together my antenna extend further. One of the gals offered to take photos. A bunch of them. Maybe 15 or more. She said it was optional and there was no charge. Now I’m asking why. No one ever did that before. Was it for effect? It certainly wasn’t necessary. Yep, my antenna are up as I think about it. Those faint memories of 2 are flooding back.

I don’t drink mountain dew much anymore. Maybe three cans a week if that. That stuff can strip paint.

 

[Bunnykiller]

Looking at a Sonicare Flexcare Platinum electric toothbrush. They have a "connected" model. In other words, it has bluetooth. WWWWWWWHAT!!! Are you kidding me!? A computerized toothbrush. I've seen it all now.

yup, it sends your dentist weekly updates on how often you brush and for how long... soon it will be able to notify your dentist if any new "spots" show up... probably will be able to tell just how much plaque is starting to build up in the spots that cant be brushed too

 

[DavidOH]

Morning...Off today so I get to tackle the physical thing.

 

[Pappy]

I couldn't do that. I wash my dishes before I put them in the dishwasher. I'm from the era of dishwashers sterilize, but don't actually clean anything..I'll never trust them.

That's exactly what we do too. It grosses me out when I see people put dishes in a dishwasher that haven't at least been rinsed off.

 

[Pappy]

General, I agree on the 2nd opinion. Certainly can't hurt, and it might be enlightening.

I've been using a SoniCare for years. They are really good and you should buy one regardless of how the second opinion turns out.

 

[Bunnykiller]

Mornin All...

 

[Bronze]

Good morning Army! My teeth are still attached.

 

[Opinionated]

Good morning all!

I've started a new book trilogy, just about 20% into the first book "The Dream of the Iron Dragon: An Alternate History Viking Epic" by Robert Kroese (science fiction/fantasy) It's good so far! (but I don't expect real science out of science fiction.. lol)

Hope everyone is having a great Friday!

 

[LAwaters]

What’s better than Friday? The Friday of a short work week!

TGIF friends!

 

[LAwaters]

Morning...Off today so I get to tackle the physical thing.

Hope all goes well today. Off on Friday... not all bad.

 

[76bridget]

Well, that’s discomforting knowing those xrays can be manipulated. I admit I’m untrusting of dentists. I’ve had three in my adult life. 1 and 3 were excellent. Just did what they had to do. Nothing fancy. 2 was out for the bucks. I dumped her like a bad habit in quick order. The guy I saw today took over from 3 who retired two years ago. First time I met him. Younger guy. I noticed none of 3’s staff remains except one elderly lady who had been with 3 forever. I asked her how Doc D (#3) was doing. She said he has never checked in since he sold his practice. It kind of made me go hmmmmm. Now it’s making me go get a second opinion. You and Hula are right. As I puzzle this together my antenna extend further. One of the gals offered to take photos. A bunch of them. Maybe 15 or more. She said it was optional and there was no charge. Now I’m asking why. No one ever did that before. Was it for effect? It certainly wasn’t necessary. Yep, my antenna are up as I think about it. Those faint memories of 2 are flooding back.

I don’t drink mountain dew much anymore. Maybe three cans a week if that. That stuff can strip paint.

So glad on the Mountain Dew..
Intraoral photos are great, we use them often when we want to show a patient what is going on with their teeth. Not sure why you'd need 15 pics tho. I'm so glad you are going for a second opinion. You can request x-rays be sent to the 2nd opinion doc. Saves you on paying twice for them, and also gives them a little inkling that you just aren't sure about their diagnosis. Do NOT feel guilty. You are looking out for you.

ETA: did you keep your crown?

 

[76bridget]

@Bronze Also ask around. Ask your neighbors and friends where they go. Do they need more work every time they go in? Bigger fancier offices aren't always the best.

 

[DavidOH]

Afternoon.... Well an hour at the medical office followed by 30 minutes at the BMV. But they got the numbers on the test they wanted so my medical card is up to date for another year. So not changing jobs yet.
Think I'll have a pizza and the bottle a Chimay Grande Reserve to celebrate. (like I need a reason) Next up, make an appointment with the TSA for figure prints..

 

[Bronze]

So glad on the Mountain Dew..
Intraoral photos are great, we use them often when we want to show a patient what is going on with their teeth. Not sure why you'd need 15 pics tho. I'm so glad you are going for a second opinion. You can request x-rays be sent to the 2nd opinion doc. Saves you on paying twice for them, and also gives them a little inkling that you just aren't sure about their diagnosis. Do NOT feel guilty. You are looking out for you.

ETA: did you keep your crown?

If they manipulate the pix why would I want them sent to the new guy? I guess I just want the new guy to start from scratch. I know it's double expense but it may be worth it. I put out a feeler for another dentist on our nextdoor website (covers a bunch of neighborhoods in N. Raleigh). Getting lots of feedback. I'm trying to avoid the ones who base their dentist selection on how they are mollycoddled. I understand going to the dentist can be traumatic for a lot of people and the stroking, cajoling, and sympathetic tones are valuable to them. It isn't to me. I never minded dental work. Yes, I'd rather be doing something else but I never put up a fuss getting my teeth worked on. I asked for a dentist who was no nonsense, straight-forward, no bull, get to the point...no fancy equipment or peddling cosmetic gimmicky was necessary. One that has my interest is a former navy dentist. The person said he meets my description to a tee. Does what needs to be done...no more, no less. That's what I want. That's how my first dentist was. Kind of a blah personality who didn't talk much. But he did damn good work and just got the job done. You could trust him with your life. Too bad he's 900 miles away.

 

[Hulamoon]

Looking at a Sonicare Flexcare Platinum electric toothbrush. They have a "connected" model. In other words, it has bluetooth. WWWWWWWHAT!!! Are you kidding me!? A computerized toothbrush. I've seen it all now.

COMING SOON! Bluetooth toilet paper, proving that the gubmint will now know exactly what us cynical types have predicted for years.

 

[Bronze]

Afternoon.... Well an hour at the medical office followed by 30 minutes at the BMV. But they got the numbers on the test they wanted so my medical card is up to date for another year. So not changing jobs yet.
Think I'll have a pizza and the bottle a Chimay Grande Reserve to celebrate. (like I need a reason) Next up, make an appointment with the TSA for figure prints..

You must handle classified material.

 

[Bronze]

COMING SOON! Bluetooth toilet paper, proving that the gubmint will now know exactly what us cynical types have predicted for years.

Seriously.

This toothbrush is attached to a mobile phone app and records/suggests every which way to brush your teeth. Good grief!