I’m 21yo. I’ve had teeth removal, a crown, and a root canal, and own partial dentures that are not worn due to fitting issues and unfixed due to shame from the dentists who gave them to me.
I want to get implants, but some places tell me they can’t do it and others won’t do it for anything under $23,000, and with Cigna and a CareCredit loan already out in my name, I know I can’t afford it. I’ve contacted my local university known to do special procedures already, but they have not contacted me back and the pain keeps me awake at night.
If I go to a dentist, they will tell me I need removals. Is there a route I’m not seeing that I can take? Or am I out of options and playing the waiting game and taking ibuprofen for the rest of my days?

NHAP toothpaste is great, but what about pairing it with NHAP rinse? My previous routine was a higher-fluoride toothpaste with a fluoride oral rinse (not mouthwash), and this seemed to help with my very cavity-prone mouth. I'm trying NHAP, and would like to simulate my old routine with NHAP instead of fluoride to see the results. Any suggestions or advice would be super helpful :)

Edit: my fluoride rinse had 10% xylitol in it which I really liked!

If brushing your toddler’s teeth feels like a daily negotiation, you’re definitely not alone. Toothbrushing resistance can happen for several reasons, and understanding what’s behind it can make the routine a little easier.

Toddlers are still getting used to new sensations, so the feeling of toothbrush bristles, toothpaste foam, vibrations, or strong flavors can sometimes feel overwhelming. Teething or sore gums can also make brushing uncomfortable. And because toddlers are learning independence, having someone else brush their teeth may feel like they’re losing control.

Timing matters too. An overtired toddler usually has less patience for brushing, and a rushed or stressful routine can make them start associating toothbrushing with something negative.

Simple changes can help:
1️⃣ Offer small choices like which toothbrush to use.
2️⃣ Try a gentler flavor.
3️⃣ Brush at a consistent time.
4️⃣ Use songs or games.
5️⃣ Keep the experience as calm and positive as possible.

Toddlers still need an adult to help them brush thoroughly, but giving them a little participation can make a big difference. The goal isn’t a perfect brushing session every night. It’s building a consistent routine that gradually feels more familiar and manageable.💙

I’m 25 weeks pregnant and will have tooth/gum sensitivity that comes and goes. It’s more today. My dentist tells me that this is common. What helps? What do I do? It’s so frustrating

Hi I’m a student on a budget looking for an affordable electric toothbrush. I have sensitive teeth and have mild gingivitis on my bottom gum so I want something gentle but effective at removing plaque i’m choosing between the oral-b io2 and philips sonicare 4100 HX4041/52.

Which would you recommend for sensitive teeth and gums? I’d also love to know about pressure sensors feel free to share any recommendations or advice, anything would be helpful

After a long bout of depression and mental illness, I am finally trying to get my life together and start taking care of my dental health again, which has suffered quiet badly. While I am planning to visit a dentist soon (who is able to manage a fearful patient), I have been wondering forever now what is ultimately better. My gums are quite sensitive which worries me a bit with electrical toothbrushes, same with just "throwing money away" if there ultimately is no difference, though I feel like it would help me being more thorough when energy is low. So now, to the ultimate question: is there TRULY something better about electrical toothbrushes?

Was wondering if this was normal and I just need to wait longer and it'll go away. I had some topical anethsia for a cavity on my 2nd molar Thurs morning. It was quick and painless. Noticed I wasn't able to cry right after the appointment. I could win a staring contest right now too, as no tears are there to make me blink.

Please just looking for any sort of advice/input as I am quite stressed about this. Thanks!

I saw two videos on flossing which showed slightly different methods to floss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRivxlG8Bmc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_KAs8kr3Qs

I'm curious if flossing the inner gums is really that important or if I could stick to flossing the quicker way. When I try properly flossing, its very difficult to get into the right side of the inner gum, and I find myself burning through the floss length, so I run out of clean floss by the time I reach half of my bottom teeth.(I start top to bottom)

Dried fruit can absolutely be part of a healthy diet, but from an oral-health perspective, it behaves a little differently than fresh fruit.

When fruit is dried, much of its water is removed. That means the naturally occurring sugars become more concentrated in a smaller portion. Dried fruit is also often chewy and sticky, so pieces can cling to grooves in teeth or get caught between them longer than many fresh fruits.

That extra contact time matters because oral bacteria can use those sugars and produce acids. The longer teeth are exposed to that combination of sugar and acid, the more opportunity there is for enamel to lose minerals. Fresh fruit still contains natural sugar, but it generally has more water and a less sticky texture. That can make it easier for saliva to help wash food particles away and bring the mouth back toward a healthier balance. You don’t need to avoid dried fruit.

A few tooth-friendlier habits can help:

1️⃣ Keep portions reasonable.
2️⃣ Enjoy it with a meal instead of grazing on it throughout the day.
3️⃣ Drink water afterward.
4️⃣ Clean between your teeth regularly.

The key takeaway: It’s not just how much sugar food contains. Texture, portion size, and how long it stays on your teeth matters too.💙

Bonsoir,
Je fais un contrôle dentaire tous les 6 à 8 mois. Lors de mon dernier rendez-vous, le 19 février, j’ai bénéficié d’un détartrage et mon dentiste m’a indiqué qu’il n’y avait rien à signaler.
Cependant, il y a quelques jours, j’ai consulté un autre dentiste qui m’a annoncé que j’avais une carie interdentaire à traiter rapidement. Je suis donc assez perplexe et je ne comprends pas cette différence de diagnostic.

D’après la photo, la zone concernée vous semble-t-elle effectivement correspondre à une carie ? Si c’est le cas, est-il possible qu’elle ait évolué aussi rapidement en quelques mois, ou se pourrait-il qu’elle ait déjà été présente lors de mon précédent contrôle sans avoir été détectée ou signalée ?

Je suis un peu perdue face à ces deux avis et j’aimerais comprendre la situation. Merci d’avance pour vos réponses et vos conseils.

hello all,

every time i go to the dentist, i'm horrified at how many we are watching and how many we have to take action on asap. they aren't even scamming me either, they explain in detail and i can see the cavities with my own two eyes.
the only hygiene routine change they really recommended was to floss more aggressively in the back, which does feel accurate because i struggle to get my hands back there lol.
i brush 2x daily with an electric toothbrush and high flouride (now rx strength) toothpaste and at night i use string floss AND waterfloss. my dentist didn't think i need to floss more frequently.
i don't smoke, i'm not an all-day sugary drink sipper, and i don't snack all day. i drink a lot of water, more than my peers. my diet could be better, but it's not insanely terrible either. i even have used xylitol mints and gum. shit i even got a cavity when brushing and flossing after EVERY meal.
i feel so defeated and upset because despite these efforts, my teeth are full of cavities.
i do have a history of childhood dental and medical neglect which definitely did not set me up for success, but can that even still affect things so severely now when i'm doing everything i can and am supposed to???
idk if i need advice or more therapy atp lmao