Dental Insider Secrets You Probably Never Knew 👀
Ever gagged during a dental impression? You’re not alone — but here’s a fun fact straight from a dental assistant: that weird gooey stuff they press into your mouth is called alginate, and it’s actually made from seaweed 🌊! It only takes about 30 seconds to 1.5 minutes to set, but those seconds can feel like forever when you’re trying not to gag.
Pro tip from the pros: next time, ask your dentist or assistant for a bit of topical anesthetic to rub on the back or roof of your mouth before they start. Swallow it gently, breathe through your nose, and the gag reflex almost disappears. Total game-changer.
And you’re not imagining it — those bite wings (the little X-ray holders that feel like they’re slicing your gums) really are brutal. One commenter shared that they grew up thinking that pain was “normal” until adulthood.
Still, for …
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