Alan's dentist visit and thoughts

[lesliepear]

We went to the new dentist tonight in Ft. Lee, in an upscale building with valet parking (it was free). He's only in his 30's but is the head of Mt. Sinai's hospital's pediatric dentistry department. The dentist took more X-rays of Alans teeth. He rated one at a 3 and the other a 2, anything worse than 3 they'd come out. There are root fractures, but there is still a chance they may heal. We have to watch for gum infections and the tooth turning black. Alan didn't need anything on the bottom, but if the top teeth come out he'd be able to have a bridge at 2 years of age when the 24 month molars come in - he might need this for speech. We saw photos of other children with lost top teeth and bridges and they looked very good. He did think Alan had one of the worst trauma's he'd seen in 10 years and was worried if he'd been hurt bilaterally or unilateraly (his bruises and scraps were unilateral, one side of the head). He was also concerned if the babysitter had abused Alan, since he was also a parent. He seemed much better with children who were there (including Alan) than the other guy. He even had a video game in his waiting room for the kids to play with!

He'd actually interviewed the other dentist, and didn't think he was very good.

Alan has to stay on soft food and go back in 2 weeks. This dentist wasn't concerned about feeding him sideways with the bottle or keeping Alan's fingers out of his mouth -- his approach is what will happen will happen.

We did confirm that 4 teeth are missing from the bottom, unfortuantely we don't know why the 2 not out yet came out at the ER.

He told us he had a patient once who was 9 days old. Apparently this baby was born with a tooth, and the mother wanted it out (it was an extra tooth, I guess it was ok to take it out).

The food thing still upsets me a lot. I've had to stop finger food as I can't think of anything soft. The wagon wheels, arrowroot cookies and teething biscuits just sit there (and there is a baby with teeth on the box of Arrowroot cookies). I have things in the fridge/freezer and cupboard I bought for him to try - roast beef hash, refried beans, stage 3 baby food, a veggie burger, edame beans, macaroni and cheese. It makes me sad to see them not knowing when he can eat them. I worry if he'll be set back without finger food for dexterity. It's hard to amuse him while I eat -- although he's now ROLLING the toy car my MIL got on the high chair, not just banging it. I guess I'm still upset about what happened and sometimes I get really bummed. Sometimes I feel I hurt worse than he does :(

Comments

[allye.livejournal.com]

:(
*hugs to you* I don't know what you're going through emotionally...but I do offer *hugs*

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I know you have your own issues now (HUGS).

[allye.livejournal.com]

ah...well they're not technically my issues lol..people just like to dump their stuff on me...

[mayna.livejournal.com]

Madyson at Maylie's daycare is 10 mos old and has one tooth and eats table food. She mashes it with her gums I guess.

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

Alan's soft food restriction is because of the loose top teeth. I hope we will know soon if they have to be pulled.

I'm sure he'll find a way to eat. He loves his food.

[mayna.livejournal.com]

ohhh . that really sucks, especially that his baby teeth got knocked out. :-( When I was 2 I fell out of the stroller and I think it banged my lower front incisor back into the gums and permanently damaged my adult tooth.

[ignu2k.livejournal.com]

how about something like canned fruit? that's oretty soft.

((hugs))

[geekmom.livejournal.com]

Don't worry. Kids are adaptable. I'm sure he won't be set back in finger dexterity.

[elliriel.livejournal.com]

What a nightmare this has been! *hugs*

You might try Cheerios softened up in juice... :)

[purple-roses.livejournal.com]

My mother, who had to deal with me breaking my teeth 4 times before the age of 10, sends her love and condolenses. She says to just do your best for him, it's all you can do.

Taking him to the second dentist was definatly a good choice. You're a wonderful Mommy!

Love,
Staci

[yeoww.livejournal.com]

You're doing everything you can to see to this, and it sounds like you have a good dentist who will listen to you and who, being a parent, shares your concerns.

I was telling my mom about Alan and she reminded me that my little brother knocked one of his front baby teeth out around the age of two, and he wasn't adversely affected. I'm not trying to minimize what you're going through - you must be very angry and concerned all at the same time.

*hugs* to you! You're a good, good, good mom.