You’re not imagining it—kids have a sixth sense for timing their accidents with big events. I swear, my grandson chipped his tooth the morning of his school play, right after we’d ironed his costume. As for those temporary dental kits, I tried one once when I lost a filling the night before a cruise. It covered the gap for photos, but didn’t do much for sensitivity. Honestly, it felt like sticking Play-Doh in there—fine for a day, but definitely not a real fix. If there’s no pain or sharp edges cutting up her mouth, waiting usually works out okay (at least in my experience). But yeah, every time you want a nice family photo... that’s when disaster strikes.
I can definitely relate to the timing issue. My son managed to snap the corner off his front tooth the day before his class photo—right after I’d finally convinced him to wear a button-up shirt. It’s almost like they wait for the most inconvenient moment, isn’t it? I ended up calling his dentist in a panic, but since there was no pain and it wasn’t sharp, they basically told me to just keep an eye on it until our appointment a few days later. He wasn’t thrilled about the tooth in pictures, but at least he was smiling.
Those temporary filling kits are a mixed bag from what I’ve seen. I used one myself when I cracked a molar bracket on vacation. It held the wire in place for a couple of days, but the taste was weird, and it never felt totally secure. I wouldn’t say they’re useless, but I agree—if there’s no pain or risk of cutting the inside of your mouth, it’s usually safe to wait for a proper fix. Still, I always feel a bit anxious until it’s sorted out.
It’s funny how these things never happen when the calendar’s empty. I’ve had to reschedule orthodontist checkups a few times because my kids managed to damage their braces right before a big trip or family gathering. I guess the best you can do is keep a stash of wax, a temporary kit, and hope for the best. And maybe prepare yourself for the occasional wonky smile in official photos... it’s just part of the parenting experience, I suppose.
I get what you mean about feeling anxious waiting for the dentist, but honestly, I’ve had decent luck with those temp kits—especially when money’s tight or appointments are weeks out. They’re not perfect, but for a chipped tooth or lost filling, I’d rather spend a few bucks to avoid extra stress. Sometimes it’s the difference between worrying nonstop and just getting through until the real fix. The taste is weird, though… totally agree there.
