Well, this is what took up most of my day - or seemed to anyway.
We had a slow start and didn't get much, if anything, accomplished this morning. Then it was off to the dentist. My 4 oldest were scheduled to be seen. Thankfully, Roger was able to meet us there. I was concerned at how I would handle being with the kids being seen while having the two youngest in tow, kwim?
One of our children has had some real struggles with the dentist and he did much better today. The dentist we see is so very patient!!! This is the one child that so far seems to be the one who will be visiting the dentist a lot. I think we are going to miss out on braces for the oldest 2 or 3. I'm thankful for that!
While we were there, I asked the dentist to take a peek at Eliana. Her bottom teeth (the two in the middle) are very crooked and pointed instead of smooth. Really sharp! Our ped was a little concerned that she might fall and hurt herself with them. He looked and explained that the nerve would grow in the same shape as the tooth, so trying to file it wouldn't be a good option as it might expose the nerve. Ouch! He said he might be able to a very small amount over time to try to smoothe it a little bit - but not now. We'll see.
The other thing that he commented on was the unique dental traits in children with Down syndrome. I knew about the unusual order - Eliana's teeth have not come in the same order as her siblings. He also mentioned that sometimes they have extra teeth and sometimes are missing teeth. He thought that just by looking that she may be missing some teeth on the bottom. :(
She currently has the two in the center on the bottom and then none until the teeth in the back. It isn't definite and I didn't think to ask him what this would mean. (Roger asked me that - I didn't think to ask. I'm not one to try to borrow trouble - not saying that he is, but I tend to just wait and see.) If any of you reading have any experience with this, I'd love to hear it.
We then went home for lunch and Eliana's physical therapy. She did a great job - worked hard and is making progress. We are working on strengthening the muscles in her stomach and bottom. Both are weak and affect how she walks and moves about. It's cute now, but we are hoping to help her gain strength.
After therapy Eliana took a nap and I headed back to the dentist with Daniel. Just the two of us. He did great! I was very proud of him. I could tell that he was having some sensory issues with several of the things, but he pushed through it and did such a good job! I was really proud of him.
Whew! What a day. Daniel came home and took a nap - and so did I. Not very productive on the school front today, but you have to deal with life as it comes at you some days. Tomorrow looks full too. We have 2 therapies and then science labs with friends.
I was talking with a friend and sharing something that I'd heard awhile back. It was a good reminder for me too. When you have plans and are interupted, how do you deal with it? Do you get frustrated that you are thrown off schedule? I know that I do. Instead, choose to look at interuptions as God's appointments for you for that day. It really gives you a different perspective and hopefully a better attitude. I needed that reminder for myself and I'm choosing to learn from what we did do today and not be frustrated by what didn't get done.
Blessings,
Leslie
Posts
Thank you for the reminder...I'm going to be saying that phrase outloud today, as a reminder!
ReplyDeleteLove you Leslie!
~Michelle
glad things went pretty well at the dentist. We are pretty sure only one of our four will need braces...that's Gavin, the one who will have the hardest time with it.
ReplyDeleteHi Leslie!
ReplyDeleteJustin was missing 2 bottom teeth for a long time. His teeth also came in differently from the way they typically do. I think, if I remember correctly, that he had the 2 front teeth on the bottom and then the 2 eye teeth and then his first bottom molars, but for a long time, he did not have the other 2 incisors that belong on either side of the central incisors. His eye teeth were very sharp and pointy, and frequently when he fell, they would catch the underside of his tongue. After he got blood on my shoulder a few times, I learned to check his mouth for blood before swooping him up to comfort him! I think they are a little less sharp than they used to be, now, so maybe Eliana's will smooth a little the more she uses them to bite (food, not siblings). And those missing incisors eventually did come in, although they are turned a little sideways. I guess they did took so long to come up because there wasn't quite room for them.
Some children with DS do have missing teeth, but they tend to have small mouths, so I think that when they get all the teeth that they are going to get, it fills their mouths pretty well.
Leslie, I know you have the mother's perspective and that brings the whole scope of issues with it -- like worry about falling, missing teeth, etc. I just wanted you to know that from my perspective Eliana is just a beautiful, cutie pie. LOL. We just love her smile and her personality -- the whole package. You have done such an amazing job with your children, and she is no exception.
ReplyDeleteWe were all at the dentist recently too. It consumed an entire half a day. I was glad when we finally got back home, but we had three cavities, so we'll be heading back soon. Sigh.
Lynn
Really nice and interesting blog for sure the idea you share is more useful for me. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletechildren dental