A Pulled Tooth

Yesterday, Makena went to the dentist for her 6 month check. We didn't know we would be back that afternoon getting a tooth pulled! At about 18 months old, Makena fell off of our table chair and the tile and her mouth met. We took her to the dentist when that happened, and he said that it looked fine but we will just watch it. Today we have a different dentist and when he looked at the tooth and saw also that Makena had a sore on her gum right above the tooth, he said it could be an infection and that he wanted an x-ray of that tooth. I thought the sore was just a sore on her mouth. It would come and go. The x-ray came back and it showed that the tooth was indeed infected and that the sore was the drainage spot for the infection. Makena never complained about that sore and so I didn't think too much of it and just happened to mention it to the dentist. The dentist said that the tooth needed to come out or it would stay infected and ruin her permanent tooth. So, we went back yesterday afternoon and had it pulled. She will now be toothless there until her permanent tooth comes in, which the dentist said will take between 2-3 years. We got an order for valium and Makena had to take the drug an hour before the procedure so she wouldn't remember the experience. When we got to the dentist, Makena was out of it and I carried her in and put her on the chair. The assistant put on the "laughing gas" and then the doctor numbed up her mouth. Makena didn't even flinch at all with all the poking of the needle in her mouth. The dentist looked at me and said, "wow, she did really well." Then the tooth was out. What a way to loose your first tooth. It was a very quick procedure and we were on our way home. What a brave little girl I have. After we got home and later that night, it hit her that the dentist pulled out her tooth. She was upset and cried and said "I didn't want him to pull it." But she is doing very well today and no complaints about it today.


This is what Valium will do to a little girl. She was out so fast on the drive over. And when she was awake she kept asking me where Kali was and when she did wake up (when we got to the dentist) she said, "mom, where are we going first? Are we going to the post office now?" She didn't know what was going on.


Back in the car after the procedure. She did great holding that gauze in her mouth for the ride home. I put her in Kali's carseat, especially with the valium in her system.


One less tooth smile...for the next 2-3 years.


Makena was excited to put her tooth under her pillow for the Tooth Fairy. She was asking me all day yesterday what the tooth fairy looks like, how she gets in the house, and how she carries the surprise. She was excited this morning when she found what the Tooth Fairy left. She left a Little Pet Shop dog house with 3 dogs and also some candy.


Another smile from her. She is adjusting just fine without that tooth there. No problems eating or drinking, and no complaints of pain. It is cute to hear her talk!