Popcorn Tooth

So, Friday Julia was eating popcorn. She wasn't just eating one little piece at a time, but pretty much stuffing it down her mouth. "Mom!" she yelled, "I've got a popcorn something stuck in my gums!" She then proceeded to cry and whine and moan. I explained to her that she probably had a piece of popcorn kernel stuck in her gums and that I would need some dental floss to get it out.

So, I got the floss and I worked for about 10 minutes trying to get the tiny morsel unstuck from the tiny tooth. I worked the floss up and down and in between and at some point she said, "Mom, I think you got it!"

On we went through the weekend doing weekend things, playing soccer etc. But...I must say I noticed her tooth today and her gums all around that tooth were inflamed and red. In my mind there was a conversation going on in my head, it sounded something like this:

"Mmmmm....the gums around that tooth look pretty bad, should I call the dentist? If I go in there and nothing is wrong I'm going to feel like an idiot and waste time and money, BUT if I don't go in there and there is something wrong, I will be happy that I went in and it won't have wasted time and money...and if I don't do anything about the tooth it could abscess and she could get brain damage....mmmmm....what to do, what to do...well, I'll wait a bit and see if it passes....(an hour later)well...what the heck I'm going to take a chance and just call and get an appointment."

So I called, 2:00 p.m. was the first opening they had. Now mind you, this dentist office is sort of like Chuck' e Cheese on crack. The kids love it, and all the parents looked stoned. We got there and I started playing a video game. The nurse came out and called for Julia about 3 times and none of us could hear her, because literally it's like your senses are being assaulted when you enter the waiting room. So, we walk back to the back and I'm immediately nervous. In my head I'm thinking, "I hope nothing is wrong, but I kind of hope something IS, so it's not for naught."

Dr. Will (who I love) came over to the chair and I explained the entire ordeal. I had to tell him twice that this was a "peace of mind" appointment. (I don't want him thinking I'm some weird overprotective mother) and he nods his head with agreement and said, "Let's check it out!"

At this point (all of you mothers out there can agree with me on this one), I felt a bit vulnerable.  Whenever I have a "peace of mind" check-up because I'm not sure that I'm there for the right reasons or not. So, my heart was sort of pounding and I watched.

He got his little utensil mirror and all of a sudden he said, "A ha! There it is!" He then grabbed his poky tool and carved onto Julia's little gum for a minute and pulled out a HUGE popcorn kernel! I was elated. My appointment had NOT been in vain and it's going to be a while before she eats popcorn again!