Starting the day after Thanksgiving, they began experiencing intense pain in a back tooth. Any contact with the tooth—whether from food or drink of any temperature, movement of the tongue, mouthwash, or even breathing—caused severe facial pain. Chewing on that side was impossible.
After waiting four weeks for a dental appointment, they expected to be diagnosed with a cavity requiring a filling. However, they were alarmed when the dentist suggested the tooth might be fractured and could require a crown or even a root canal—procedures they could not afford due to a lack of insurance and budget.
Before moving forward, the dentist referred them for a second opinion, which required another four-week wait. Frustrated at the prospect of enduring such pain for so long, they began seeking prayer at every opportunity. Soon after, they noticed gradual improvement. They were eventually able to chew carefully on the affected side, and over time, even mouthwash no longer triggered the same deep pain. Eventually, they found they had to intentionally try to make the tooth hurt.
At the second appointment, the dentist took new X-rays and made no mention of a fracture. When they explained how severe the pain had been and how minimal it had become, the dentist suggested that the nerve may have been traumatized and either healed or died. Since a dead nerve would require a root canal, he performed several tests—tapping on the tooth, applying cold, and probing—procedures that previously would have caused intense pain. However, the nerve responded normally and was confirmed to be alive.
The dentist appeared confident in his explanation until he learned that the severe pain had lasted for approximately six weeks. This timeline seemed inconsistent with his expectations, leaving him puzzled. In the end, he admitted he did not know what had happened or why the tooth had improved, but confirmed that the nerve was healthy and no dental work was needed.
As a result, they were completely free from both pain and financial burden. While they were unsure how much of the recovery was natural versus supernatural, they believed it was not entirely natural—and regardless, they gave all the credit to Jesus.