The Teeth Incident

I wasn't going to post anything in detail about what happened to my teeth, but then I realized that since this blog is supposed to kind of be a record of our lives I should write it down. I mentioned the incident rather briefly in my Friday Favorites post last week, but left out a lot of detail and a gruesome picture. But, I'll get to that.


There are a bunch of neighborhood women that get together to play basketball one morning a week during the school year. I used to go, but then I got pregnant. And then, this year, I have needed to drop Big off at preschool right in the middle of when they play so couldn't go. So, it's been two years since I've played. Two years of all of the other women begging me to come back. I really can't believe how long it has been.


Anyway, last Thursday Rophone had the morning off. When I realized that I'd finally be able to go play basketball again, at least once, I was excited. But then that morning came and I didn't really want to go. I thought I was just nervous about playing again, or that I was just being lazy and wanted to spend the morning with my husband. Now I know that the real reason I felt like I shouldn't go is that I wanted my teeth.


But, I convinced myself to go and planned to take it easy and just have fun. That's why when I got a rebound about 10 minutes in and got ready to casually pass to my teammate, I wasn't prepared to have someone reach around from the side to try to wrench the ball away from me. Because I wasn't even remotely in that mindset, the person's initial few tugs on the ball twisted me so that my legs were crossed. I then was in no position to do much fighting for the ball, but I tried to hold my ground. I did a pretty good job, although with my twisted footing I was definitely at a lean. And then the other person let go. 


Oops. That's when the Laundry Queen made like a tree and fell. On her face. I have a huge bruise on my hip, one on my forearm, and one on my chin. But it's my teeth that really took the brunt. See?

Everyone is amazed that I didn't cut my mouth to shreds or bite through my lip. I mean, there was virtually no blood. I think that I hit my chin just right so that it popped my mouth open and my teeth had an unobstructed path straight into the floor. I say straight into the floor because that's where my right tooth shard still is. Stuck in the gym floor. 


Seriously. The floor bears the imprint of both teeth, with the right one lodged pretty solidly in there. My friends tried to pick it out but were unsuccessful. There was a pinewood derby held in that gym on Thursday night and some of the women that were playing ball showed everyone my teeth marks and told them the story. Not exactly the type of fame I was looking for. 


Luckily I have a fabulous dentist and he got me right in to do a temporary repair. He glued the left shard back on and built up the right to match. It looks really good. Now I just have to wait to see if I need root canals before they fix me up for good with crowns. 

I'm pretty sure I had a bit of a concussion, a little bit of whiplash, and definitely a lot of internal swelling. But, I can breath through my nose now and pretty much close my mouth all of the way. I can tell my teeth aren't in the same position they were before, but we'll see how they are after the final repair. I just can't wait to be able to bite into things again!


Anyway, last Thursday definitely wasn't the best. Today, a week later, the day was much better-- Big's birthday! I'll post about that after I get pictures of his friend party tomorrow. 


P.S. The friend who caused the whole teeth incident felt awful and she and a few other friends brought me flowers and applesauce. Not quite the same as having my teeth, but it was nice. ; )


P.P.S. I'd also like to apologize to all of the women who now play basketball that I hadn't met before. Sorry about all the swearing, I hope your children aren't scarred for life. I guess I made a memorable first impression, eh?