The Tooth Fairy Must Be Plotting Against Me

E. lost another tooth today.

Yes, another. And no, a new one did not magically appear in its place (one can hope, can't they?).

That makes three missing teeth, right in the front, two on top and a new vacant space on the bottom, with at least another one to go before the bottom pair can grow in. I have these horrifying thoughts that soon I will have to chew her food for her, like a mother wolf for her cub. I may resort to putting her dinner in the blender, or make her live off yogurt and bananas.

The dentist that examined her last week commented that he expects her bottom teeth to come in first, and later the top teeth, one of which has been missing since she was 16 months old. He was also shocked to see that her six-year molars have emerged. Already. She is 4 1/2. Just four-and-a-half.

E. also needs a major cavity repaired, which will require sedation and a stainless steel cap on a baby molar. I asked when that tooth would naturally fall out and be replaced. The dentist quickly replied, "Those molars come in at age 9." Then he thought for a moment, and said, "Although, on her, it could be as early as seven."

This kid's teeth are on overdrive, and now I find out that my husband went through a similar rush to get his permanent teeth. At least there is an explanation for it--genetics. I also have a feeling that there is an explanation for why all of a sudden she has four cavities, when earlier this year she had none. You see, she only just weaned a couple of months prior to the previous dental appointment. It is a little solace to me that maybe the amazing powers of mama-milk protected her teeth until then, and now without that protection her teeth are finally showing a similar vulnerability to nasty bacteria that the rest of us have.

At least she doesn't have the fear of dental work that her sister and I have. The tooth fairy must be sympathetic to her after all.

(Oh, and please don't ask her if she all she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth. She is so used to living without them she couldn't care less. All she wants for Christmas is a Care Bear.)