u/Soyobean_0-0

Hey guys! I’m currently an older teen and I’ve had braces for a while (in middle school and now is my second round). So I’ve been doing this for a while

Howeverrrr I was never taught how to take care of my teeth. My parents honestly just handed me a toothbrush and toothpaste and told me to brush so I just had to figure it out. Because of this, it was never engrained into my daily life and I actively have to force myself to brush and floss every morning and night. It sounds bad, I know, but I was pretty good about it until this year.

I’ve had multiple family losses and other stress through this year CONSTANTLY, and my brushing and flossing were not as consistent. My dentist knows this and we are actively trying to fix the gum inflammation that’s come from that. My orthodontist, however, is not so understanding. Every time I go for my checkup, he makes sure to point it out to his assistant while laughing and making rude comments towards me such as “wow you must not have been brushing, I thought you would know better by now.” and “i guess I can’t give you rubber bands anymore if you’re like that!” all while laughing at me. I know he’s right, but it’s really embarrassing as other patients are around and I genuinely leave there about to cry. It’s probably embarrassing because it’s true, but the way he says it just reminded me of when I got bullied as a kid. I feel disgusting

I also need implants (I’m genetically missing some teeth so he’s been working with my dentist) but he keeps YELLING every time my dentists asks for more info. Onetime I told him that my dentist needed info about spacing and he yelled at me asking “who the hell is this dentist of yours?!?” And constantly groaning and sighing. I found this really unprofessional, as not only does he NOT do this with his other patients, but he’s genuinely so nice to them. I know it’s because my mouth is a train wreck right now, but I’m trying and it’s really discouraging to hear the person WE ARE PAYING to be saying that.

All that to say, how what else can I do to help reduce my inflammation so this doesn’t happen again? All I currently do is brush, floss (normally floss that I weave through the brackets bc my parents won’t buy the braces ones) and gargling salt water. My parents refuse to buy me a waterpik or something like that (it’s kind of expensive) and so I’m trying to work with what I got,

Thank you :3 sorry about the long post I needed to rant