A toothy problem...

We had a triple appointment visit to the city children’s hospital today. I like to try and bunch as many appointments at the same time as I can, so we don’t have to go as often.

First up was the dentist. BC has not got great teeth. Perhaps because he breastfed for so long, perhaps because we’ve not been as diligent brushing his teeth as we should be (honestly, it’s been a priority, but with all else he’s had to deal with, it hasn’t been priority number one!). But according to the dentist, and affirmed by quite a few sites I looked at when I got home and googled this afternoon, some kids just don’t have great teeth.

Even though his teeth aren’t looking so hot, I thought this was going to be a quick review, a pat on the back for the decay in his teeth not worsening and then on to the paediatrician.

Unfortunately, not the case.

It seems his decay has worsened and before I knew it the dentist was talking about teeth being filled, a few possibly being removed, general anaesthetics, consent forms etc etc.

My response? Well, firstly I said no GA, never! (And should admit I am well known for making exaggerated, dramatic statements like this).

Next, (as always a non-believer of any news I don’t want to hear) I asked for the second opinion of the senior supervising dentist, who, sadly, agreed with everything the other dentist had said. And told me more – more about abscesses and pain and things that could go wrong if we DIDN’T deal with the teeth decay now.

So, I signed the forms and burst into tears (I am also well known for showing dramatic displays of emotion).

Thank goodness our next appointment was with our paediatrician. I walked into her consulting room and burst into tears again, telling her I had failed BC as a parent, not brushed his teeth often enough or well enough, given him too much apple juice to drink, and personally destroyed his baby teeth through my negligence as a parent (again,  please remember, dramatic statements are my forte).

She set me straight. Told me about her own daughter who has recently had teeth removed, told me about many patients who’ve had teeth removed and again reiterated that fact about some teeth just not being that good to start with.

So, I felt better. And I feel even better now.

But I am bummed. Bummed, that I have avoided BC having a general anaesthetic and any kind of medical intervention more serious than an x-ray for 4 years and what let’s us down??? His teeth!!! His little itty bitty teeth, that one day in the not too distant future are going to fall out and go off to live with the tooth fairy…

The procedure will take place in about 3-4 months time. Plenty of time to prepare myself. And it is me that needs to prepare. I am sure BC will come through with flying colours. He’ll love all the attention. But me, I’ll be a wreck. The last time I saw him sedated in hospital he was 3 days old and his life hung in the balance.

I know, I know, overdramatic again.

I am sure it will go just fine. And once we’ve solved this toothy problem, we’ll move on to waiting for the tooth fairy .

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