The tooth fairy didn't really want to come to our house this year. She thought it was a tad bit too early to come. The mom around here agreed with tooth fairy. But when you're dealing with a cheek the size of Jupiter and a baby in severe pain ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Miss Hal ended up with an abscessed tooth and became much too familiar with the dentist chair as a result. One morning she began to complain of her tooth hurting. It was the only time she mentioned it that day so I didn't think a lot about it. Until the next day when she mentioned it again and there were tears this time. I called the dentist to make an appointment. Naturally it was something like the mommy who cried hurting tooth. She had no pain or symptoms of anything when we went. He gave us a referral to a ped dentist in OKC and told us to call if anything else happened with the tooth. Well.....something happened. She woke up two mornings later with this.....
I might also mention that she stayed up half the night wailing in pain. So sad. The only thing that would calm her down is some Tylenol, an ice pack and some stroking of her hair. Broke my heart.
Off we went to Dr. Heim. The girls slept most of the way and when we got there Hal felt much better. She loved the dentist office which had a little play area for kiddos. We quickly found out that her infection was so bad they would have to keep her on antibiotics for a week and then return to have the tooth pulled. ugh. The swelling was pretty wicked according to the doc. No wonder she was hurting so badly. We left with a happy girl though, after all she got to pick out of the treasure chest. We picked up some meds at Target, had a quick lunch and did some much needed shopping at the mall. The girls and I looked on as daddy tried on new work clothes. Well, I looked on. Hallie smothered Bella and she took it all in stride.....
Hal and I took a special detour to the Disney store as a reward for being so brave at the dentist. I knew what was to come the following week and I must say I was feeling scared for her. The words "tooth pulling" were not mentioned. But she'd soon find out what was in store.
One Miss Piggy stuffed doll, a dose of antibiotics and a pink cupcake with sprinkles later and she was feeling good as new and ready for the ride home.....
I might mention that it is now a sin to not stop by Gigi's cupcakes when we visit OKC. Yes, I realize the cupcake and a dentist visit don't really go hand in hand. But like a said. It's a sin to not go. A sin, people. I enjoyed my heavenly cupcake from the front seat and a nice doze while the littles slept the afternoon away. Pinched myself a few times wondering when the explosion was going to happen. ;)
When we got home Hallie tried on another one of her "you were so brave" surprises and told me she was Dr. Heim. Looks like doc made quite the impression on the Halster....
One week later, Hal and I returned for a girl's trip to have her tooth pulled. She waltzed back to the dentist chair by herself without hesitation and came out a wee bit loopy with her a big hole in her mouth. She seemed pretty confused about the blood and gauze that were taking up a considerable amount of room in her little mouth. We were given instructions to return in a couple of weeks to have a spacer inserted. Our short little journey took us to the Cheesecake Factory for a fun lunch and a stop by the cupcake store (didn't want to sin) on our way out of town. A very quick trip with a very quick tooth pulling with a very brave girl with a VERY big tooth....
We carefully and ever so gently placed the tooth in her tiny purple treasure chest and laid it underneath her pillow....
And viola! Just like that she was $2 richer.....
Three weeks later I checked her out of school early on a Wednesday and we made a mad dash to OKC for her space maintainer placement. She doesn't even notice it's there thank goodness. "No more sticky or chewy candy" says the dentist. Thank you Dr. Heim!
This tooth situation is one we are not going to repeat. Well if I have anything to say or do about it we won't. She's been scrubbing her teeth like crazy ever since her last visit. Even though she likes leaving with stickers and princess wands I'm fairly certain she's over the dentist chair for now.
