Well...I'll just get right to it. M was jumping on the bed and he fell. This knocked out his other front tooth. Now, before you all go thinking I'm a bad mom and ask, "Why were you letting him jump on the bed?" I didn't...a baby sitter did. It was a crazy, awful accident.
Andrew and I were at a Christmas party when a phone call came from the baby sitter just 2 doors down. I knew this couldn't be good. M was understandably upset and in a little pain, so I ran right over to find a toothless M, crying and quite upset. After some calming, he decided he was done for the night, and that was that. We started singing, "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth" on the way home. He laughed and all was well again.
He tested out our statements that he could still eat by scarfing down a cookie, brushed his remaining teeth and went to bed. He woke the next morning to this, along with a small prize...
Just another notch in M's belt of facial injuries...boys...
Wondering what happened to the other tooth? Here's the story. & here's where he debuted his new smile.
January 19, 2010
M's new smile
Today was the day. Daddy took M to the dentist to get his sick tooth taken out. We started priming him yesterday for what was going to happen and he understood. In fact, he told us, "...but I need my tooth." We assured him we just needed to make room for his big boy tooth that will come in later. According to Andrew, he was visibly nervous by the time they called them back into the room where the procedure would take place so the dentist quickly explained things and they got going.
It was all done in a matter of minutes because the tooth was and had been dead for quite some time. M experienced a little discomfort throughout the procedure, but was able to keep himself composed enough to listen to directions and let the dentist do what she needed to do. We are so proud of our little man for his display of self control and well...bravery.
The tooth fairy came to our house while he was away and left some pretty cool toys as a reward for acting like such a big boy. She said that because this tooth had to be pulled and didn't fall out on its own, she would make a special trip. She's coming back tonight to take the tooth he leaves under his pillow.
He also decided that chocolate ice cream was in order. We agreed.
In the end, this was much harder on me than it appears it was for M. I really did not want this to happen, but I of course knew it had to be taken care of. As crazy as it sounds, I just don't ever want him to be afraid or experience any pain. That's doable...right? Sadly, I know it's probably not.
Someday, we'll be able to laugh about how if M ever fell...it was on his face. Let's recap. In M's 3 short years, he's been to the ER twice (once for a really busted lip, once for 13 stitches in his forehead). Now, we've had a tooth pulled as a result of a fall and there have been countless goose eggs and bruises...all on his face! I hope I can survive his adolescence.
For now though, he and Mimi are playing hide and seek...
January 13, 2010
The good, the bad...and the toothless.
I suppose I should thank Elmos' World for helping me prepare M for his trip to the dentist today. After I had gone through a lengthy explanation of what was going to happen...all of which M listened to intently...he says, "Just like on Elmo's world!" Then I told him that he'd probably get a prize from the dentist when he's finished. To which M replied, "Yes, a toothbrush!" Sometimes I wonder how necessary it is for me to prepare this smart, smart child for things like this...
If you ask him, M will tell you that the dentist is going to (1) count his teeth, (2) use little tools in his mouth to brush his teeth very well, (3) he's got to open his mouth real wide, like this... and (4) it's not going to hurt. Also, he would like to take a little stuffed kitty to squeeze in case he gets nervous.
I am happy to report that he did not squeeze this kitty even once.
Later that same day...
We're back. M did very well in the chair and thought most of the little tools tickled. He and I were very comfortable with the dentist, herself. I felt like super mom when asked all the standard questions...juice intake, fruit snack, habits. Overall, a very positive experience, in that right.
The less positive spin on all of this, and M has no idea it is less positive, is that he has to have one of his front teeth pulled next Tuesday because it's, well...it's dead. M slipped and hit his front tooth on a cast iron bathtub a little over TWO years ago. We called our doctor the very next day and were told to watch for discoloration and make sure it tightened back up. Since then, I've been watching it and have seen nothing. Also, it tightened back up within a couple of days. Well, it turns out that a tooth can die and NOT discolor. Did anyone else know that? Now, M has visible infection building up above that dead tooth and until it comes out, it will be doing permanent damage to his permanent tooth. It's not causing him any pain or discomfort, but it still has to go. & the fact that it has been like this for 2 years already means it's likely that the damage has already been done. That feeling like super mom? ...exit stage left.
He is quite pleased with his goody bag...which did include a new toothbrush.
So now, we start taking some antibiotics to get rid of the current infection and schedule his 3 year pictures. Let's hope we can get in before next Tuesday.
