That “phantom” sensation really does mess with your head. I get the urge to keep checking it with your tongue—been there after a cracked molar, and it felt like a canyon even though nobody else could spot it. But I’ve gotta say, I had a different experience with the wax trick. Dental wax held up pretty well for me, but only after I dried the tooth completely with a tissue first. Maybe that’s the difference? Swallowed it once or twice, though… not ideal.
I hear you on the anxiety dreams. For me, the anxiety actually got worse when I avoided eating solid food. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but sticking to just soft stuff seemed to make me hyper-aware of the problem. Eventually, I just cut my food into tiny pieces and chewed on the opposite side, even if it was a little uncomfortable. Somehow, that helped me feel less like I was waiting in dental limbo.
One thing I’d gently push back on—the sugar-free gum. My dentist warned me that some gums (even sugar-free) can stick to the rough edge and pull at it, making things worse or even causing a bigger chip if you’re not careful. I switched to using a bit of orthodontic wax from the pharmacy and haven’t looked back.
Salt water rinses are solid advice—definitely calmed things down for me too. But if you’re dealing with sensitivity, I found dabbing a little clove oil (very sparingly!) on the edge helped take the edge off. Just gotta be careful not to overdo it, since it can burn.
Waiting for the appointment is brutal. I actually called around to a couple of clinics last time and found one that squeezed me in sooner—worth a shot if it ever happens again. Not always possible, but sometimes you get lucky.
Anyway, just wanted to offer a few tweaks to what worked for me. Dental stuff is such a uniquely annoying kind of stress...
That “phantom” feeling is wild—totally agree, it’s like your brain just can’t let it go. I caught myself poking at a chipped incisor with my tongue for days after it happened, and yeah, it felt way bigger than it actually was. Funny how your own perception gets so skewed when it’s inside your mouth.
Interesting point about drying the tooth before applying wax. I never thought about that, but now that you mention it, I probably didn’t do a great job with that step. I just kind of slapped the wax on and hoped for the best. Maybe that’s why mine kept sliding off and I ended up swallowing a chunk mid-sandwich (not my proudest moment). The tissue trick makes sense though—sort of like prepping a surface before putting on a screen protector.
I get what you mean about eating only soft food making things worse mentally. I did the same thing at first—soup, yogurt, mashed potatoes—but after a couple days, I felt like I was babying the tooth so much that it became this huge mental obstacle. Eventually just started eating normally but slower and more carefully, and honestly, that helped me stop obsessing over it.
About gum—I totally get where you’re coming from. My dentist said basically the same thing: sugar-free or not, gum can catch on jagged edges and make things worse. I’m always tempted to chew something when I’m anxious though, so switching to wax was a good call for me too.
I’ve tried clove oil for sensitivity as well, but wow, even a drop too much and it’s like your mouth’s on fire. It works in small doses though.
Curious if anyone’s tried those temporary filling kits you see at the pharmacy? The ones meant to patch lost fillings or chips until you can see a dentist? I’ve always wondered if they’re any better than wax or if they just end up being more hassle than they’re worth...
I just kind of slapped the wax on and hoped for the best. Maybe that’s why mine kept sliding off and I ended up swallowing a chunk mid-sandwich (not my proudest moment).
You’re not alone—half my patients admit to eating more wax than they’d like to remember. As for those temporary filling kits, I’ve seen folks come in with what looks like chewed-up gum mashed into their tooth... usually after the kit didn’t hold up to a bagel. They can work in a pinch if you dry the area really well, but honestly, nothing beats seeing how creative people get with “DIY dentistry.” Ever tried using something totally random before you could get to the pharmacy?
That’s honestly more common than people think—wax just doesn’t want to stay put, especially if you’re eating anything chewy. No shame in swallowing a bit by accident; I’ve heard way weirder stories. The important thing is you tried to protect your tooth until you could get help. It’s not easy dealing with dental stuff on your own, but you did what you could.
Yeah, wax is a lifesaver but honestly, it never sticks as well as you hope. I’ve had it pop off just from talking too much, let alone eating. Swallowing a bit is really not a big deal—happened to me more than once. What matters most is you tried to cover the tooth and keep it from getting worse.
If anyone else finds themselves in the same boat, here’s what’s worked for me: First, rinse gently with warm salt water to keep things clean. Then, dry the tooth as best you can before putting on wax or even a bit of sugarless gum if you’re desperate (not ideal, but better than nothing). Definitely avoid anything hard or sticky until you can get to the dentist.
The anxiety waiting for the appointment is real, though. I remember obsessively checking the mirror every hour, convinced things were getting worse… but usually, if you’re careful, it’ll hold up fine for a couple days. You did exactly what you should—just do your best and try not to stress too much.