I’ve been in that exact spot, scrambling for something that’ll work on a kid’s tooth and realizing everything at the drugstore is basically “one size fits adult.” When my son cracked his baby molar, I tried the temp filling stuff too—honestly, it was messy and way too much product for his little tooth. He ended up spitting half of it out because he hated the texture. Not exactly money well spent.
I get why they don’t make kid-specific kits (probably not enough people buying them), but it’s frustrating in the moment. I’ve started keeping orthodontic wax around since it’s cheap and easy to use, and he actually tolerates it. Also, sugar-free gum in a pinch, like you mentioned—way less drama.
Honestly, unless it’s a real emergency, I just try to make him comfortable and wait for the dentist. Those kits aren’t really worth the price for kids, at least in my experience.
Interesting, I hadn’t thought about orthodontic wax as a workaround, but that makes sense. The temp filling kits seem designed for adult tooth size and bite force, so I can see how the excess material would be a problem for kids. I’m curious if anyone’s tried modifying the amount or mixing ratio to make it less bulky? Seems like the texture would still be off, though. Sugar-free gum is clever—never would’ve guessed it could help in a dental pinch.
Sugar-free gum is clever—never would’ve guessed it could help in a dental pinch.
I was super skeptical about the gum trick too, but honestly, it worked better than I expected when I chipped a molar. The texture’s not perfect, but it’s less awkward than those chunky temp kits. You’re not alone in feeling weird about the bulkiness—totally threw me off at first. Hang in there, these little hacks do help when you’re anxious and just need a quick fix.
The texture’s not perfect, but it’s less awkward than those chunky temp kits.
That’s been my experience too. Tried the temp kit for my kid after a playground accident and honestly, the stuff was so bulky she could barely close her mouth. Sugar-free gum felt weird at first, but at least she wasn’t complaining nonstop about “that weird thing in my teeth.” I still get nervous about germs or it coming loose, but in a pinch, it really is the lesser evil. Just wish there were better options for little ones...
Those temp kits are wild—my son called his “the mouth boulder.” We tried molding one after a soccer mishap, and he just drooled everywhere and refused to talk. Sugar-free gum is a hack, but yeah, I kept picturing it flying out mid-laugh and landing in someone’s hair. Honestly, for what those kits cost, you’d think they’d be less awkward. Would love a kid-friendly version that doesn’t look like a science experiment gone wrong...
