Jacob's Tooth

About a year ago Jacob was running across our lawn and tripped on the Belgian Blocks lining the walkway. Unfortunately, he was just the right height that his face hit the blocks on the other side. He grazed his nose, there was blood, he was crying ....

I comforted him and calmed him down. About 1/2 an hour later we headed to the pediatric dentist for the kids check-ups I already had scheduled.

When we walked in they asked what happened to his nose - and we explained the fall. During Jacob's check-up she pointed out a laceration on his gum. We guessed it had come from the fall - and that he must have also hit his mouth, even though there was no outward sign of it. One of the teeth also seemed a little loose. She x-rayed him, and sure enough, the root on one of his lower teeth was fractured. She told us not to let him wiggle it, and hopefully it would repair and firm up and we would just keep an eye on it. Then I promptly forgot all about it. (Jacob saw Uncle Dan this summer, and it seemed fine.)

At the beginning of February, I noticed one of his teeth was loose. I already had appointments for over their winter break, but called and moved them up to be seen sooner.
As the dentist looked at him she said "Isn't this the tooth that had the trauma?" I though a minute and remembered - it WAS the tooth he had hit. His gum was inflamed around the tooth. She did another x-ray, which showed that the tooth was disintegrating below the fracture. His permanent tooth was not far below - she thought it should come out.

I have SO MANY fears related to traumatic experiences at the dentist as a kid. I never want my kids to have a bad experience, so I was pretty anxious.He went in a few days later, and it was great. Really, I love this dentist - it's super kid friendly, they are very patient and kind, I NEVER, EVER wait in the waiting room (the place where my anxiety just builds) .... really they are top-notch.

I wish I'd taken my camera, but I was so anxious and focused on dropping Emily & Jane at friends houses before we went, that I forgot it.
Jacob picked his "nose color & smell" for his gas, lay back and watched TV and got pretty giggly. He wasn't restrained in any way - I sat right next to him and he didn't even flinch as she pulled it out. She was worried that the disintegrating root would be left in his gum and she'd have to dig it out - but it all came out in one piece (prayers answered.)

Here's the new smile Jacob will be sporting for a few years, until his adult tooth comes in.

He really likes it, he says "There's a window for my tongue."

You're still super cute buddy!

We kept forgetting to out his tooth under his pillow for the tooth fairy - so we finally did it the other night (in this cool glow-in-the-dark, tooth shaped holder the dentist gave him.)

Putting it under his pillow.

I'm surprised he went to sleep, he was so excited.

The next morning he was delighted to find $2 instead of the tooth. He quickly put it in his wallet - he's planning on buying Lego when he has more money!