Any dentists about? Tooth or bone shard!

[PandaG]

I have just had a shard of tooth (or possibly bone) work its way out of my gum underneath my lower back molar. I had another shard come out from a very similar place just over a week ago.

I had the tooth beside it out about 4 years ago, and have had a couple of shards work their way out through the top of the gum where the tooth was, but these recent shards came out underneath the very back in place tooth, through my inner gum. The gum is now pretty sore.

Should I try for an emergency appointment with my dentist? Is it possible these shards have travelled sideways from the extraction site, or could the root of the tooth in situ be breaking up? I have been more conscientious about flossing the last few months, I couldn't have scraped a shard off below the gum line surely?

Thanks for any advice!

I had this. It was simply the shards working their way through the gums after quite a while! Very unsettling at first isn’t it and yes your gums will be sore. I would give your gums a week to heal and if they’re not calmed down by then, consider an appointment. But I’ll think you’ll be ok.

I think if it were a broken root then you’d know about it!!

Thanks Monte...logically I'm pretty sure it must be bits of the next door tooth, but I am surprised they have travelled sideways and after so long!