Dentist

The boys each had their 6 month cleanings today and both did wonderful.   I didn't get any pictures of Zane because he has decided he's too old to have his mom go back to his appointments with him now!  But when the dentist came out to talk to me after, she said he was just "darling" - I'll take her word for it, ha!

Landon of course still needs his ol' mom to tag along with him and I was happy to oblige!  He had his first x-ray done and did awesome!  The hygentist said that usually kids aren't cooperative and able to stand still long enough for it until 5 or 6, but they always try at 4 - he did wonderful - they were impressed; as was I!

Until their next cleaning...

Tooth Extraction

Zane had been complaining off and on of some tooth pain over the last month the minute I'd go to call the dentist, he'd tell me it didn't hurt anymore.  I kind of figured he may have had something stuck between two teeth or something and brushed it out and pain was gone.  I should've known better...nothing is that straightforward with this kiddo.

Last Thursday right before bed he just broke down saying his mouth hurt so bad.  He was inconsolable.  I looked all over in his mouth, I flossed for him, I couldn't see anything that was bothering him.  I gave him Ibuprofen and promised to call the dentist first thing in the morning.  He finally went to bed - only to wake up at midnight inconsolable again.  He just kept saying it hurt worse and was just crying and crying.  My heart broke - I didn't know what was wrong and I didn't know what to do for him.  I got him an ice pack and brought him into our bed, he just kept moving around - he was so tired, but in so much pain, poor thing.  He finally got back to sleep.

I called the dentist 5 mins before they opened on Friday and thankfully they answered.  I told them I needed an urgent appointment for my child that day and wouldn't take no for an answer (yes, I said that)!  She put me on hold, came back and said they could see him at 8:30 - sold!  Josh took him to his appointment while I waited anxiously at work for news.  An abscess.  Apparently baby teeth have a lot of holes in them and it's not totally uncommon (although, I've never heard of it, haha) that bacteria can seep into a tooth and cause a nasty infection.  The extreme pain he felt Thursday night was the abscess actually rupturing, ugh.  He had no pain Friday morning - the dentist wasn't surprised - he said that once it ruptured the pressure was released.  But the tooth had to come out.  Because it was a top tooth in the back, his dentist felt more comfortable with us going to an oral surgeon.

The extraction was today.  When I called to make the appointment they said they prefer to do an IV sedation on kids - it makes them more comfortable and is less traumatic.  WHAT?  An IV is less traumatic??  I beg to differ.  I was so anxious about this all weekend.  We went in this morning and I spoke to the nurse and asked if we could try laughing gas and a local anesthetic instead - she didn't bat an eye and said no problem.  Ugh, why was the stupid appointing person trying to get a needle jabbed in my kid's arm?!!!  The dentist was totally on board as well.  And it went perfectly!  Zane didn't flinch at anything!  Josh and I were back for the entire procedure...I was amazed at how fast it all happened.  Seriously, he had 4 shots of Novocaine, they waited about 5 mins for him to get good and numb and 1 yank and that sucker was out!  I would've been livid had they done an IV knowing now that the yanking of the tooth took all of 1 minute!  Any way - as usual he is a trooper, didn't flinch and was good to go moments later.  As soon as we got home today, he started playing catch in the house, running through the house like usual and was restless all day.  He could've gone to school, but the dentist didn't want him to break lose the blood clot that was acting as a scab!  He'll go back tomorrow!  I guess the Tooth Fairy will have to come again - ah darn :)

Cavities No More

Last Wednesday was the day that Zane's two cavities were filled - I was much more anxious about this day than he was.  That was probably because I have had my fair share of fillings in my lifetime, many of them were as a kid, so I knew what was to come.  He on the other hand had no clue what was coming, so was just thinking of it as another dentist appointment.

The night before the appointment he asked me if he was going to have to get a shot.  I told him that I didn't know, I wasn't sure how/what they did for kids these days, but did tell him that IF they were going to give him a shot that he definitely wanted it - he wouldn't want to feel them filling his cavity without it.  He seemed ok with that answer.  I was 99% sure they would be giving him a shot of Novocaine.

Well, I was 99% wrong!  I couldn't believe it when they started to drill into his first tooth without numbing him and I was more shocked when Zane wasn't batting an eye at it.  My teeth were hurting just watching and listening to the drill.  After they finished with the first one, the dentist went to go do a quick exam on another patient before coming back to fill the 2nd one - he wanted to give Zane a little break from having his mouth wide open!  I whispered to the hygentist (un-knowingly right as the dentist was walking back in) "don't they numb people anymore??" and she said "nope" and he piped in with the fact that the shot is much more traumatic on the kids than just doing it without.  He said that baby teeth have so few nerves in them that there is usually very little pain unless it's an abnormally deep cavity.  They proceeded to fill #2 which was a little bigger than the first one and same result - Zane didn't bat an eye.  The doctor and hygentist kept commenting on how good he did and they told him that he could pick two toys out of the treasure box today - he was on cloud nine with that outcome!

So since he wasn't numb - we left the dentist and headed straight to Taco Time for lunch without the worry of him chewing his cheek up!

I'm so proud of him - this kid HATED going to the dentist and would hardly open his mouth the first 2 years he went and now he is getting fillings with zero anesthetic and not having a care in the world! Obviously - we hope there won't be anymore cavities in the future, but at least we know he can handle them if there are!

Dentist

The boys had their regular 6 month check-up at the dentist bright and early this morning!  Both were very excited to go and both did an awesome job!  Landon would hardly let them come near him last time (his first visit ever) and today he allowed them to do a whole cleaning!  Unfortunately, Zane has a little cavity - it's a tough balance in the middle of the night when we are treating low blood sugars with pure sugar!  The dentist said we are doing a great job and said this is common and gave us a few tips on how to try and ward off others caused by middle of the night lows.  Zane will be getting his filling in August!  Other than that though - they got a great report and were told to keep up the good work!  They both left smiling!

Landon's 1st Trip to the Dentist

Both boys had their dental appointments today - but today was Landon's first trip!  He watched Zane get his teeth cleaned first and promptly said that he didn't need a turn!  After Zane; it was indeed Landon's turn and he did great!  He let the hygienist check out all of his teeth and brush them a bit and then let the dentist count them!  Good job buddy!!