When we last convened, I was bemoaning a tongue too big for my mouth. A tongue damaged on a sharp edge of a broken molar. A tongue that silently screamed in pain every time I swallowed.
Well. After a whole day of suffering, not even all that sad that I didn't have my 44 oz Diet Coke, because drinking through a straw was even more painful that sipping from a cup or bottle...I healed myself! Uh huh. After realizing that my nightly aspirin did little for the pain, and an acetaminophen did absolutely nothing for it, and worrying that it may take DAYS to build up a tongue callous, and most certainly not wanting to make a dentist appointment... I took matters into my own hands. The left one, specifically. On the same side as that back molar.
I reached in and felt that sliver of sharp tooth. It has been there all along, ever since I dislodged a temporary crown with a lime Starburst, but I think the big burger at the casino rearranged that enamel particle, so that the sharp edge was more exposed. I could wiggle that shard just a tiny bit. Which gave me hope!
I had some Chex Mix on hand, sitting in a festive snowman-patterned red plastic tub. So I took a small handful. Fingerful, really. A couple of Chex, an almond, and about a third of a pretzel. I actually chewed on the bad tooth side! I normally don't chew over there very often. But I did. It didn't even hurt as much as I imagined. So I thought maybe a part of the almond jammed down on that point of enamel, protecting my tongue. I had a couple more bites. Then I re-examined.
The shard was looser! I wiggled and waggled it. Back and forth. Had another bite of Chex. Repeat. After much stronger efforts at wiggling and waggling, the broken piece of tooth came loose! I'd show it, but I don't think you'd want to see that, and I laid it on a paper plate, and I've already thrown it away. It was really quite smaller than I expected. About the diameter and length of a mechanical pencil lead that breaks off when you're writing all tensed-up.
I am available for private consultations for a reasonable fee. No insurance accepted. Cash or barter only.
9 comments:
Barter? What do you think I have that you would consider worthwhile?
I'm impressed. I wouldn't be waggling anything loose in my mouth incase I created a hole big enough to lose food in and get toothache worthy of a trip to the dentist.
I have, however, felt a sharp edge or corner and poked my nail file in there and smoothed it just enough to not scrape against my tongue. Then had it properly done next time I was at the dentist of course.
I'm really impressed. I would be scared to death that I would make the tooth worse. You would be the epitome of courage :)
Sioux,
Dog treats? Fudge? Seemingly endless energy? A positive outlook on life?
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River,
NAIL FILE! Finger-waggling is minor compared to a NAIL FILE! That's like comparing Jack's paws to a backhoe!
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Nancy,
Heh, heh. Or the epitome of stupidity. The tooth itself doesn't hurt. It was already dealt with, the nerves or roots or whatever pulled out or filled in, with a temporary crown in place while fighting with insurance over a regular crown. Which they deemed unnecessary. So now that I destroyed the plug thingy with the little post to hold on the temporary crown...I have kind of a crater, with an enamel rim than the gum grows over. That's where the shard came through.
TMI, as my boys would say.
Does your health insurance not cover all dental procedures?
River,
The current plan, no. It does not cover dental, because we have to be reasonable, and dental is extra. It costs $1480 per month for the four of us. Genius doesn't really matter now, but it's the same for one kid or two. IT'S HIGHWAY ROBBERY, by cracky!
We used to have dental under Farmer H's plan, but now that he's retired, we're all on my plan, which used to be paid (for me) by my employer, but now that I'm RETIRED, it's out of my pocket, with all of us covered. But at least I can still get it through the school, and it's more reasonable than other plans we looked at.
Even on Farmer H's plan, there was a limit, and regulations on procedures. That was the insurance his company chose, so we had to go with it.
River,
Above, that is what it costs WITHOUT dental or optical insurance! Both of which we used to have through Farmer H's plan.
I have done similar things, having no dental coverage. Besides my fear of the dental procedures. Hope your tongue heals quickly.
Kathy,
It's already on the mend! Getting rid of that shard worked wonders.
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