Sunday, September 7, 2008

Impending Visit

We've been noticing an odd gap in the lower part of Elise's smile over the past week or so. Every time I see that space and the way her teeth are bunching together on the far side of said gap I cringe. We've been told since she was very little that we needed to get to the dentist by her 3rd birthday, but somehow I've managed to put it off. A long time. At first, it was because the very mention of going to the dentist would lead (literally) to wailing and gnashing of teeth. Lately, though, it's been laziness. Sheer laziness. It feels good to admit that. Now maybe I'll get off my duff and make an appointment with the pediatric dentist all of my friends (and their kids) love.

Near as we can tell, all of those migrating teeth are due to at least one new one growing in. At least one tooth is very wiggly and will be falling out in the next few weeks I'm sure. I want to get that dental appointment made soon so that we can figure out if this is "normal" or the result of mommy's neglect. Isn't not-quite-five a little young for losing teeth? I just can't remember. Mom, Dad, when did the Tooth Fairy start leaving me those Susan B Anthony dollars?

So, now the entire universe knows my panic that my kid will be toothless as a result of my ineptitude. Regardless, we're expecting a visit from the Tooth Fairy sometime soon. More on this story as it develops...

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Since you didn't even get your first tooth until you were 14 months old, we weren't too worried for when they would start falling out. In first grade you showed us that teeth were growing behind your baby teeth, and a trip to the dentist confirmed that. None of your baby teeth came out on their own because of their long roots--all had to be pulled except the molars. Your friends all got quarters from the tooth fairy, but your parents felt you suffered a lot, so your teeth were worth at least a Susan B. apiece. :-)

Aunt Linda has stories about a teacher long ago in Ann Arbor who didn't think children could read until they lost their first tooth.....she will have to tell it.

It sounds as if Elise is being precocious. :-) I bet you find a wonderful children's dentist who will win her heart over, and that all will be just fine. You and Andy have done such a good job of helping Elise care for her teeth.

Love,
Mom

Linda said...

Like you, Heather, Jaya did not get teeth until about one year. I remember asking the pediatrician if I should be worried. He replied, "You can if you want to but it won't do any good." She had not lost teeth by kindergarten. Her teacher harbored many theories of education that did not meld with mine. Despite the fact that Jaya tested as reading at a third or fourth grade level, the teacher was convinced that a child who had not lost at least two teeth was not ready to read. So Jaya (and the three others in the class who were reading) had to go into a closet to read so other kids with intact teeth would not think that they should be reading--or something like that.

Teeth, like all of those other things that kids do, seem to come in their own time frame. Teeth also go at the time they choose. Grandfather Clough often bragged about having at least one of his baby teeth well into his 90s and, as far as I know, had it when he died.

We found a wonderful dentist for Geetha, who had lots of cavities which the doctor blamed on her being conceived and born in a country with no flouride in the water. Her adult teeth are much stronger. This dentist was so much fun that, despite getting cavities filled, Geetha asked to go back again. That may have been because she did not get to see the end of the cartoon he showed on the ceiling above the dental chair.
Aunt Linda