Randoms leading up to Christmas

[Scout'sHonor]

Dec 24, 2021 9:23:10 GMT -5 wawa said:

Dec 23, 2021 20:36:06 GMT -5 orangello said:

Guys, flossing is the best. THE BEST. I can’t sleep unless I’ve flossed. Take the time to find the right floss and go live your best clean mouth life!

*not a dentist
*big fan of glide
*my dentist never yells at me

If anybody has any suggestions for a flossing approach that won't make me gag I'm all ears.  The best I've managed is the flosser thingies where the floss is perpendicular to the handle, but I still can't get my back teeth with that without gagging. Maybe if I could solve that I'd finally get it to land into my routine daily?  (probably  not...but maybe!)


Also...I am willing to assume you didn't mean it this way, but the "my dentist never yells at me" comes off, at best, flippant as fuck for what people are expressing as an actual problem they have.  at worst it's smug and assholey. 

What about a water pik? Then you wouldn’t have to get you hands in there so far.

[lilypad1126]

wawa, I just…. don’t floss my back teeth 😬 don’t be me, haha. But seriously, I use an electric toothbrush, and I must do ok, bc my dentist never comments on it. I really focus my flossing on my front teeth bc that’s where my expensive dental work is.

[sonrisa]

Dec 23, 2021 22:05:01 GMT -5 redheadk said:

 Bonne Maman jam advent calendar.

I have this and every year it is delightful

[just]

Dec 24, 2021 7:55:57 GMT -5 TR said:

Dec 24, 2021 0:09:16 GMT -5 just said:

The movie Together (streaming on Hulu) with James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan, is surprisingly awesome. The scene of her talking about her mam about 1/3 way in is fucking heartbreaking.

Is it? I love Sharon Horgan, but I skipped over it because it was pandemic related and I feel exhausted by Covid lol. But if it’s really good I’ll give it a shot.

It is very HEAVY Covid, so probably not true right choice for you right now.

[redheadk]

wawa, the hygienist at my old dentist suggested flossing while NOT looking in the mirror. It helps you relax your mouth/jaw more and looking in the mirror isn't really very helpful anyway. You may have tried that already but I wanted to mention it just in case.

[notsopicky]

Dec 23, 2021 16:26:12 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Dec 23, 2021 15:29:18 GMT -5 notsopicky said:

RE: dentists, I had a fear of dentists for years after I saw the most terrible one imaginable when I was in college.

I found a new one after several years of avoidance and she was also terrible. After the first visit, the office manager (whom I'm now friends with) suggested that I see her partner instead. This guy is amazing; on the first visit, I said out loud to him, please no lectures, no scolding, no shaming, and I will come back as often as you want to see me. He is the most gentle, patient man and I love him. My whole family goes to him.

I wonder if more people say out loud and purposefully: no lectures, no scolding, no shaming, that these intimidating dentists would listen and oblige?

I have not had any luck with that strategy at the last 4 offices I’ve been a patient at.

That sucks. I'm sorry. I liked the idea that a PP suggested, for dentists to do some sensitivity training. 

[wawa]

Dec 24, 2021 12:00:11 GMT -5 redheadk said:

wawa , the hygienist at my old dentist suggested flossing while NOT looking in the mirror. It helps you relax your mouth/jaw more and looking in the mirror isn't really very helpful anyway. You may have tried that already but I wanted to mention it just in case.

interesting!  i'll try that. 

[babsbunny]

I thought the comments about dentists not yelling at people were to encourage others that kind, thoughtful dentists exist, not to rub it in anyone's faces that they do a good job cleaning their teeth or bragging about having a nice dentist.

I'm sorry for all the people struggling with dental anxiety. I have changed dentists a few times myself and echo that I often wonder if some of the suggested $$$ treatments are needed or not. I wonder if dentists and hygenists get together at conferences and recognize their differences in treating people.

[pugz]

Dentists have always been nice to me but I still hate going 😆 i need to schedule an appt too.


Twice a year just feels excessive sometimes.

[lilac05]

Dec 23, 2021 20:36:11 GMT -5 heygrey said:

I would like a dentist to acknowledge that me showing up every 6 months IS taking care of my mouth. I'm here! I'm letting you poke around and check for cavities. I brush twice a day, but I don't have time to floss daily and maintain a skin routine, and exercise and all the other self care shit while also maintaining relationships and being a decent employee. Something has to give and flossing is it.

These dentists DO exist! Our dentist is wonderful about this. She had a video awhile back where she outright said, “We don’t do shame. We are happy you are here to see us, and we want you to feel comfortable here. We don’t care if it’s been 6 months or 16 years, today is a good day to come in.” They also know that making that call for an appointment is a HUGE hurdle for some people, so they also added a way to set up appointments via text. They also just kind of joke when they talk about flossing. “Oh, we know most people don’t floss often. We just want people to do their best. For some, that means every day. For others, that means just the night before they come see us for the first time in 5 years. It’s OK. We’ve seen it all, and we are just happy people trust us enough to come in and sit in our chairs.

For those who haven’t been in awhile, I hope you can find someone like this in your area. Sometimes these doctors don’t accept insurance, but call and ask about rates. Many will work with you on cost, and some offer their own quasi-insurance plan. Also…a good dentist is worth their weight in gold.

[VillainV]

Dec 24, 2021 8:14:11 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

Add me to the dentist averse list. In addition to all the other stuff I’m always scared they are going to tell me I need super intense and $$$$ treatments and I just never know how much is really necessary.

If dentistry were treated like any other medical care and covered by insurance in the same way I think I would feel a lot less anxiety.

The military covers all of my dental care (except I typically only get one cleaning per year instead of the two you’re supposed to get due to capacity issues), and while I still strongly dislike it, not having to pay OOP makes a huge difference.

[SwimDeep]

Dec 25, 2021 7:51:17 GMT -5 VillainV said:

Dec 24, 2021 8:14:11 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

Add me to the dentist averse list. In addition to all the other stuff I’m always scared they are going to tell me I need super intense and $$$$ treatments and I just never know how much is really necessary.

If dentistry were treated like any other medical care and covered by insurance in the same way I think I would feel a lot less anxiety.

The military covers all of my dental care (except I typically only get one cleaning per year instead of the two you’re supposed to get due to capacity issues), and while I still strongly dislike it, not having to pay OOP makes a huge difference.

yeah, it's the money for me too. We'll have dental insurance next year, but I'm sure it will still be more than I want to pay. $150 OOP for a basic cleaning and cavity check is hard for me to feel okay about. And I know they'll want to do x-rays since it's been so long since my last visit, which is just more $$$.

I hate our healthcare system 😒

[StrawberryBlondie]

I have had literally no bad dental experiences but I still hate the dentist with a passion.

I'd rather get a pap smear twice a year instead.

[winecat]

I just figured out how to increase the size of the font on my phone’s browser. Yay for middle age.

[winecat]

Dec 23, 2021 20:13:22 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Dec 23, 2021 14:02:27 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

I was inspired by pixy0stix saying she has been flossing every day this year, since we're speaking of oral health, so I ordered fancy floss - cocofloss.com/

I also hate mint, so I have them give me the strawberry polish or whatever at the dentist, lol.

I'm medicated for anxiety (Lexapro, which is also an anti-depressant/SSRI), but last Christmas was, in retrospect, awful because of where I was with my mental health. I remember on NYE, my H had to drive into Philly to pick up a cheese and champagne pairing kit we were going to do over zoom. I was so afraid to be alone (not suicidal, just too much separation anxiety) that I took the nearly 1.5 hour round trip drive with him. In October/November last year I went to the ER 3 times, and was kept for 2 days one of those times to do imaging because my lymph nodes were enlarged and I had a lung nodule. I was a wreck, thinking I was going to die from heart palpitations or cancer, when it was seriously just major anxiety.

I'm technically off work today, and I've been packing the car (since my husband is in a leg brace). We're leaving at the crack of dawn. I was going to go to north philly and buy Christmas stollen - decided against that. I need to clean the bathroom. I need to clean the fridge/kitchen. I need to clean the litter boxes. I am unmotivated to do any of those things. Anxiety is better. I don't have clinical depression. I do not feel motivated to do a lot. It's just mentally exhausting.

That's the fancy floss I ordered to get me motivated!

Does the fancy floss work better or is it easier to use or something?  

[winecat]

In February 2019 I found out that I have an infection at the base of one of my molars. I got referred to an endodontist and promptly shutdown due to dental anxiety. I was really busy in 2019 and then COVID shut everything down in 2020. I finally dug up the courage to try again. Since January 2020 my BP and pulse have been higher than ever and at the dentist they're reealllly high and the dental school refused to treat me until I got help from my PCP. My PCP put me on a beta blocker to lower them so I could go back to the dentist. My first appointment is next Wednesday. My student dentist is really nice. The faculty are all really nice. My dental anxiety gives no fucks.

Has anyone used a weighted blanket at the dentist to help with anxiety?

[mrsukyankee]

winecat, can they semi-knock you out so you don't have to deal with it at all?

[winecat]

Dec 29, 2021 17:42:37 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

winecat, can they semi-knock you out so you don't have to deal with it at all?

Unfortunately, no. I’m going to the dental school to save money and they don’t do sedation dentistry.

[pumpkincat]

Dec 29, 2021 15:55:09 GMT -5 winecat said:

Dec 23, 2021 20:13:22 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

That's the fancy floss I ordered to get me motivated!

Does the fancy floss work better or is it easier to use or something?  

I LOVE cocofloss.  For me, it works a ton better than glide and it feels like it's actually cleaning, instead of just removing food or whatever, if that makes any sense.   

And I figure if an extra $5 or whatever every other month helps? Sure, sign me up.  

Their regular toothbrushes are also great and I feel like they work better than normal over the counter brushes, so that's what I use when not at home.

[VillainV]

Dec 29, 2021 19:29:23 GMT -5 winecat said:

Dec 29, 2021 17:42:37 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

winecat, can they semi-knock you out so you don't have to deal with it at all?

Unfortunately, no. I’m going to the dental school to save money and they don’t do sedation dentistry.

Can you call and ask them what they recommend for patients with anxiety? Maybe a weighted blanket would work. Maybe noise cancelling headphones? Maybe you can have your PCM prescribe something. Maybe they have some suggestions.

[winecat]

Dec 29, 2021 19:51:19 GMT -5 VillainV said:

Dec 29, 2021 19:29:23 GMT -5 winecat said:

Unfortunately, no. I’m going to the dental school to save money and they don’t do sedation dentistry.

Can you call and ask them what they recommend for patients with anxiety? Maybe a weighted blanket would work. Maybe noise cancelling headphones? Maybe you can have your PCM prescribe something. Maybe they have some suggestions.

I asked about the blanket and my student dentist was non-committal.  I thought of getting one when they put the lead apron on me and I felt better.  I think it's a safe bet for me to get one.  I was hoping someone had tried it because my anxiety always wants reassurance.  Thanks for the push about medication.  My appointment next week is to look at a tooth that has an infection at the base and has had 2 root canals already.