Teeth

A few years ago, as all of you may know, Kyle knocked his teeth out by getting his knee stuck in a chair, shaking the chair to get his knee unstuck, and face planting on the floor.  One tooth came out cleanly, the other had to be pulled two days later because it was hanging by a thread.

I was ready for him to get his precious teeth back, and immediately asked when I can get replacement teeth- ASM (something space maintenance or maintainer?).  The dentist had some baaaad news for me. He couldn't get his teeth until the back molars were all the way through.  I was hopeful for the next three appointments, but it was always "Sorry Mrs. Jones, not yet."

Finally, two years after he knocked his teeth out, he was able to get replacement teeth.  I was so excited!  Although I had grown to love my kid's snaggle tooth smile, his middle tooth was moving into the center and it really looked bad.  It looked as though he was moving his tongue incorrectly when he was saying words, too. Plus kids, and adults, are just kinda mean and nosy.

His poor little teeth took some getting used to, as he said it hurt him every time he ate something.  Finally, he stopped complaining, and we thought we were in happy teeth land.

Fast forward 2 1/2 months.  My husband and I had just finished our anniversary dinner and I drove the babysitter home.  I walk in and Chris says- "Don't be mad, but Kyle pulled out his teeth." Are you for real?  What do you mean he pulled it out?!!! Then Kyle replied with- It was loosed, so I took it out.  Then of course, instead of being an understanding mom- I yelled "THAT WAS 450 DOLLARS. HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR HIM TO PAY ME BACK."  Ugh! I know I overreacted, but I was just astonished at the time and wasn't thinking that we can totally go back in and get it recemented.  You know, that rational woman thing, yeah, it wasn't there that night.

Well, we have an appointment next Tuesday at 11:00 am and my 3 1/2 year old son is adamant that he is NOT getting those teeth put back in.  I am adamant that he is!  Seriously, two more years of open space and that front tooth will be completely sideways.

I know many of you will think, what the heck, its just baby teeth, but 3,4, and 5 year olds are very aware of the way they look, and the way others look at them.  It may sound vain, but I want my son to look and feel good about himself without having to tell every new person he meets that he knocked his teeth out, then he got new fake ones, then he pulled them out!