Today’s Photohunt Theme is “Chipped”
The thing that came to mind immediately when I saw this week’s theme, “Chipped,” was Braden’s two front teeth.
I am horribly obsessed with the Chip Status of his front teeth. And it’s not because I’m some freaked out, obsessing mother who picks over every little detail of her son’s appearance.
I mean, it’s true that I’m freaked out and obsessed, but it’s generally over things like how many visitors my website has had on any given day (where the hell were you people YESTERDAY???) and whether or not Conan O’brien will ever admit that we were meant to be together forever, leave his wife, and marry me.
What? He totally sent me a secret message the other night. You think it was a coincidence that he was driving a Lotus on the show? And that the side said, “Team Lotus?” Please. My destiny is finally being realized. That’s all.
The Eagle Flies West at Midnight. I am coming, Conan. Secret message received.
Ahem.
So, my son’s teeth? HE WON’T STOP CHIPPING THEM.
Hi, my teeth are beautiful, aren’t they?
Oh, hello! I decided to chew on some nuts and bolts!
Hey, I chewed on a file the other day! It was YUMMY.
And the only time he ever had a ‘noticeable mouth-related-accident-causing-parental-distress-complet-with-excessive-hyperventilating-and-hand-wringing’ was this:
And after that, one tooth was moved back for awhile, but it repositioned itself. And there was no chipping associated with the incident, at all.
And it only took me 2 whole months to stop gasping for air and clutching my chest.
Anyhow, apparently his teeth have decided that they are made out of that chalky crap that they used to make those “candy cigarettes”** out of, and every now and then, small pieces of them just crumble off into his mouth.
Mmmm, Candy Teeeths.
Every time I notice that there is just a little bit less tooth there in the front of my little boy’s facehole, I get a little more frantic. I am developing a special facial twitch just for the occasion.
I think the Tooth Fairy is even receiving certain frequencies that my brain waves are emitting when I go into this frantic state. They translate something like, “OMFG, ARE HIS TEETH GOING TO JUST ENTIRELY CRUMBLE IN AT SOME POINT, WHAT THE HOLY HELLLLL?!? *twitch, twitch, spazz*”
And yes. I KNOW that it is really not that noticeable. And that he is FREAKING GORGEOUS anyway. Seriously, I live with this kid:
I KNOW he’s freaking beautiful.
I’m not concerned with his looks. But I might just start injecting him with calcium while he’s sleeping out of the fear that this is an indicator of Bone Related Things To Come.
*dies immediately at the thought*
________________
**And by the way, WHAT THE HELL WERE PEOPLE THINKING TO GIVE KIDS CANDY CIGARETTES TO EAT JOYFULLY???
I guess the “candy gun” and the “candy meth lab” did not make the cut during final product testing.
________________
#1 by MIssy on January 24, 2009 - 1:20 AM
The tooth distress thingy-I have it BAD!
I have a good reason though.
My daughter knocked her front tooth out at 11 months old and ever since she has this irresistible toothless grin.
Braden has no reason to worry though, he is a freakin’ cutie!
MIssys last blog post..Revelations regarding Dora:
#2 by Jessica on January 24, 2009 - 2:14 AM
Oh my goodness, we are SO there. My sons poor teeth are going to have nothing left by the time they fall out. He leads face first into everything. He’s had stitches on his face, TWICE, and he’s had more chipped teeth and bleeding mouth/gums than I care to remember. And he’s only 2 1/2. I worry this leads to broken bones and I just can’t stand it!
#3 by Suzanne on January 24, 2009 - 2:24 AM
I look at that last picture and OMG, he is a BOY! And one who is going to have all the girls chasing him, too.
I understand the worry, but you can relax somewhat. As long as the teeth are rooted in the gum, they’re saving the space for the permanent teeth.
Suzannes last blog post..And Now, The Things You Expect To See
#4 by river on January 24, 2009 - 2:57 AM
Yes, he is gorgeous. Now go on-line and research some calcium rich foods. Here’s a few to get you started. Cheese, (parmesan has the highest calcium content), yoghurt, sesame seeds, cabbage, (about 3x more calcium than cows milk), broccoli, brussels sprouts, almonds………
#5 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on January 24, 2009 - 2:21 PM
@river,
Good tips! We do try to make sure he’s offered foods with calcium (and other stuff he needs), but he doesn’t always want to eat what we wish he would want to eat. Heh.
He’s also lactose intolerant, and I’ve yet to find lactose free cheese or yogurt. He drinks lactose free milk, as well as Calcium Fortified Rice Milk. His cereals are also fortified. And to top it off, we give him toddler vitamins – a multi as well as a calcium one. That way we know he’s getting what he needs, even if he refuses the good foods we offer.
And still, the chipped teeth! I just worry how far it will go and whether he also has weak bones. (His nails are very fragile, also.)
Just one of those things.
#6 by Veronica on January 24, 2009 - 4:32 AM
You know, as much as you want to inject him with calcium, it might just be how his teeth are. Which hello, insanity inducing.
Veronicas last blog post..Things I had forgotten #1
#7 by witchypoo on January 24, 2009 - 7:36 AM
It’s a good job that my teeth are so hard because I always had a terror of the dentist. Still do.
witchypoos last blog post..Sleepless
#8 by Lilacspecs on January 24, 2009 - 10:47 AM
Well, they are gonna fall out in like 3 more yearrs anyway….
*ducks and covers*
Lilacspecss last blog post..Haiku Friday – Thoughts From Thursday
#9 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on January 24, 2009 - 2:25 PM
@Lilacspecs,
*throws water balloons at you*
It’s more likely that it will be about 5 years, if he’s anything like me. And I know it’s just a few chips at this point, but I wonder when it will stop… and the most frightening thought is the thing about his bones.
He has fragile nails as well, and I wonder if these are signs that he has “break-prone” bones. I know these things can be a part of childhood (though I never broke a single bone), but no Mom wants them for her little one!
Now run, I have more balloons loaded up.
#10 by Zoeyjane on January 24, 2009 - 10:54 AM
I totally hear you. Isobel and I both have the teeth that candy is made of. And now, she’s started grinding them at night time, like a long-distance truck driver after an eight-ball.
But those popeye smokes. I can’t wait to walk down the street with her, smoking in tandem. heh.
Zoeyjanes last blog post..On the Bedtime Banshee
#11 by RebekahC on January 24, 2009 - 11:02 AM
He is an absolute doll! I completely understand what you mean about being paranoid about his teeth. Both of my girls have chipped front teeth, but in each case it was from tripping (because they both take after me in the klutz department) and taking a face plant into the tile or concrete. Oh the fun of it! *rolls eyes* I think they need a clear rubber cement or something to paint on each child’s teeth as soon as they come in, that way no chipping can occur. Wouldn’t that take a load of pressure off us parents?! LOL
And, AMEN, on the candy cigs. I’ve always wondered what brain genius thought that one up.
Rebekah
RebekahCs last blog post..Kids’ Tea Party Coming Up At Borders
#12 by Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] on January 24, 2009 - 11:23 AM
He could be a beauty pageant boy and get those fake teeth ‘flippers’ – they’re only around $600 if you want one.
Then he can be a Miss Sunburst Beauty King.
Just sayin.
Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]s last blog post..I’m Just a Snarky-Ass Mo’Fo Lookin for My Nut
#13 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on January 24, 2009 - 2:28 PM
@Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing],
Flippers? Say whaaaa?
I have never heard of this nonsense. That is probably a good thing.
#14 by Taz on January 24, 2009 - 11:23 AM
he is so cute
Tazs last blog post..65 Weeks Old and 7 Weeks Old..
#15 by Kat on January 24, 2009 - 11:52 AM
Ha! I saw the photohunt theme this week and couldn’t think of a thing, though my kid has only half of one of his front teeth. His chip really easily, too.
Somebody recently told me that her son’s teeth were like this and she started giving him this vitamin supplement and now they’re really strong and the cavities stopped growing. I didn’t buy it and can’t remember what it was, but I’ll find it and email you. Might help.
Kats last blog post..Toddler Improv
#16 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on January 24, 2009 - 2:30 PM
@Kat,
I’m interested in what it might be. We give B a multi and a calcium one.
#17 by Kat on January 24, 2009 - 12:01 PM
Got it – it’s called BioDent, by Standard Process. We use other Standard Process vitamins – it’s a good brand. Not cheap, but good. If you google it, you can find Biodent for around $30. Good thing too, because now I remember seeing it in a dentists office near here and they were selling it for $60.
Kats last blog post..Toddler Improv
#18 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on January 24, 2009 - 2:30 PM
@Kat,
I’ll check it out and see what all is in it. That’s a lot of money. Heh.
#19 by Junebug on January 24, 2009 - 12:21 PM
My daughter had to have two caps on her baby teeth and they were crumbly teeth too. But now she is 21 and has the best and most beautiful teeth around. There is hope.
Junebugs last blog post..More Garage
#20 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on January 24, 2009 - 2:31 PM
@Junebug,
What do you think causes that? It makes me feel crazy, b/c I know we provide him with proper nutrition and dental hygiene!
#21 by SuzyHomemaker on January 24, 2009 - 12:42 PM
He is going to be a heartbreaker.
My youngest completely knocked her front tooth which had only been in her mouth for one week when she was 11 months old. Root and all it came out. She has been toothless there ever since. I don’t know if I’ll recognize her when her permanent one finally comes in.
#22 by jessie on January 24, 2009 - 1:51 PM
Dude, that’s bad news. My teeth crumble all to shit and as an adult I can break a molar while eating cereal. If his teeth are that fragile I feel bad for the dude.
jessies last blog post..Jazz Running
#23 by Karleigh on January 24, 2009 - 2:42 PM
Maybe it’s because he’s a boy. Boys do dangerous things and are more accident prone. Well, this coming from a girl who has run into many a plate-glass window. I’m sure it’s just growing pains or something. Maybe take him to the dentist?
#24 by projectmommy on January 24, 2009 - 3:29 PM
LOTUS! I hope you are reading this. I know how you feel. My 3 year old has the worst teeth. She already had fillings in both front teeth when she was two. I’ve been going crazy trying to keep all her teeth in her mouth. I brush those little bitches twice a day religiously.
Well, on Christmas Eve (of course when the dentist is NOT in the office) she bit into something (who knows what, perhaps our car’s carburetor?) and it chipped off the entire backside of her front tooth. We didn’t get to see the dentist until he got back from vacation and when we did, he decided he wanted to pull the entire tooth.
I CRIED in the dentist office. I didn’t want to sound vain, but I loved her beautiful smile! Now she looked like an 8 year old, not my baby. I asked him about putting a fake tooth there and he looked at me like I was nuts.
He pulled out something that looked like a retainer with a fake tooth on the front of it and said, “This is simply a prosthetic, but it may be an option.” I was like BABY DENTURES FUCK YEAH! Then he proceeded to tell me. “I think it’s really selfish when parents get these for their children. She’s only missing a baby tooth and she will eventually get a new tooth in it’s place. This prosthetic is very uncomortable for the child and is only for cosmetic purposes. You’re child cannot eat, drink, or sleep with this on. Are you really sure you want to do that to her?”
Well of course I said, “I guess not.” But in my head I really wanted to smack him across the face.
I actually felt bad that I was so upset that she lost an entire tooth. She got over it when the tooth fairy came (I freaked out over that too…the tooth fairy wasn’t supposed to come for several more YEARS)
I think the whole situation traumatized me more than her.
Here is the post that I wrote about it in, along with a picture of my baby girl with her front tooth gone…
http://themommyproject.com/?p=812
projectmommys last blog post..Aaaanalog?
#25 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on January 24, 2009 - 10:48 PM
@projectmommy,
All I have to say is that your dentist? Is a TOOL.
I mean, I don’t know if I’d put something like that in B’d mouth, to be honest, but he could have gotten his message across without talking to you like such an asshole!
Sheesh. Besides, kids get picked on for plenty well before their permanent teeth come in. It can’t hurt to have a little face help sometimes, eh?
Don’t feel bad for wanting to preserve her beautiful smile.
#26 by Claudia on January 24, 2009 - 3:34 PM
Jimmy Kimble is my guy! You are a great writer and your boy IS adorable. He looks young enough to still have his permanent teeth to look forward to. And if he plays sports…two words: Mouth Guard!
Claudias last blog post..
#27 by Sandy on January 24, 2009 - 3:35 PM
I loved those candy cigarettes.
Sandys last blog post..Photo Hunt -Chipped
#28 by Alice Audrey on January 24, 2009 - 4:48 PM
They look fine to me. Except that bloody one. *shudder*
Alice Audreys last blog post..Chipper
#29 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on January 24, 2009 - 10:49 PM
@Alice Audrey,
It’s really not awful yet, but the progress in such short time frightens me. And if you could see them up close, you’d know what I mean. It’s hard to tell from the photos, really.
And the bloody one, omg, that was way worse IRL, too. Blood everywhere, him crying… wouldn’t let me look in his mouth at first. AAAAAHHHH.
*breathing hard just remembering*
#30 by SingleParentDad on January 24, 2009 - 5:52 PM
My son is slowly grounding down his beautiful knashers in his sleep. And I always look at older kids, post milk teeth, and think ‘Oh man, that’s fucked up’
SingleParentDads last blog post..We Are Both Winners
#31 by Gabriel on January 24, 2009 - 6:22 PM
LOL. We went for the same thing today!!!
You’re pictures are 10K times better than mine, though… as usual!
Gabriels last blog post..PhotoHunt #23 – Chipped
#32 by Gabriel on January 24, 2009 - 6:27 PM
Darn, I pressed Enter by accident…
I also wanted to say that chipped teeth is something you should expect with an active boy… you should’ve seen mine… as long as he doesn’t decide to play hockey when he grows up, he’ll be fine!
Gabriels last blog post..PhotoHunt #23 – Chipped
#33 by Jennifer A on January 24, 2009 - 7:17 PM
stressing over teeth sucks. My son needs 5 cavities filled from asthma drugs trashing his teeth. My share is $1600 WITH insurance.
Jennifer As last blog post..I guess the DS was the right present
#34 by Hecticmom on January 24, 2009 - 7:29 PM
Hi there -
Love your pictures – he really is beautiful.
When my son was 5 he broke his arm and the bone doctor told us to give him 1 Tums a day. It has good calcium – and it’s cheap. You might want to check with the doc first – a 2 year old is different than a 5 year old.
Also – if you are able – it might be time to start going to the dentist for him. Ugh. I hate the dentist – but my kids don’t seem to mind at all.
Hecticmoms last blog post..Friday Night
#35 by Terri - teelgee on January 24, 2009 - 8:10 PM
Conan O’Brien??? Seriously? I mean, the hair thing – ewww.
Yup, he (your son) is freaking beautiful. Even without teeth he would be. My advice: No hockey and no hacky sack while holding a mug of beer (see my own chipped entry).
Terri – teelgees last blog post..Round Robin: Not of This Season
#36 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on January 24, 2009 - 10:52 PM
@Terri – teelgee,
YES, CONAN. He is SEXAY with his long, long legs and his milky white skin. And that Pompadour!
How can you resist, woman!?
Seriously, I’ve been in love with the man for years, and it has nothing to do with how he looks.
#37 by Gabriel on January 25, 2009 - 12:02 AM
@Sarcastic Mom, I love Conan, but mine is a man crush.
…
…
At least I hope so.
Gabriels last blog post..PhotoHunt #23 – Chipped
#38 by witchypoo on January 24, 2009 - 9:55 PM
Your feedburner stats are seriously snafu
witchypoos last blog post..Sleepless
#39 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on January 24, 2009 - 11:02 PM
@witchypoo,
I KNOW! They’ve been wildly jumping by hundreds for about a week now.
The recent jump was 986 to 501. (I was at about 1250 when it started going all whacked last week.)
NICE.
(Don’t they know this cripples my self esteem? OY)
#40 by Kara on January 24, 2009 - 10:09 PM
My Little J went to get his tonsils out this week. They asked me in pre-op if he had and loose or chipped teeth. I said nope, he’s all good.
When they came out afterwards they said, “he needs to go to a dentist, all of his front teeth on the top and bottom are loose and one of them was so wiggly we tried to pull gently but it just wasn’t ready.”
Talk about mommy guilt!
Karas last blog post..Hey What’s That Funk?
#41 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on January 24, 2009 - 11:03 PM
@Kara,
Imma call bullshit and say you sue them for knocking all his teeth loose.
Heh.
#42 by Lindsay on January 24, 2009 - 11:14 PM
Seriously, I never even noticed. And I’m totally a teeth person. I ALWAYS look at teeth.
The calcium thing is another story though. Load up on the calcium-rich foods and I’m sure his big boy teeth will grow in sparking white and strong when these ones fall out.
#43 by Lindsay on January 24, 2009 - 11:16 PM
P.S. His eyelashes are TO.DIE.FOR. So unfair!
#44 by harmzie on January 25, 2009 - 12:06 AM
Candy Cigarettes: the next best thing to candy Don’t-Bother-To-Put-Your-Kid-In-A-Car-Seat-Or-Even-Seatbelt-Just-Have-Them-Stand-There-Between-The-Front-Seats.
It was harder to put on the package.
(I loved the Candy Cigarettes. I “smoked” them and pretended to be cool. As a parent, I think they’re retarded, but probably don’t give my kids enough credit for having brains of their own to notice that smoking is stupid – I seemed to figure it out. But man, I looked cool with that piece of chalk with the end painted red)
Beautiful Boy. Very photogenic
harmzies last blog post..Nobody’s Fool
#45 by Elaine on January 25, 2009 - 12:35 AM
He’s just gorgeous now matter what. And I know you know that but I just had to say it too! : )
I am sorry it worries you though…
Elaines last blog post..Photostory Friday – The Horse Farm
#46 by river on January 25, 2009 - 2:52 AM
Well, it seems you’re doing all the right things calcium wise. I don’t imagine you’d have to worry about his bones. i’ve had a lifetime of drinking very little milk and only recently got into the cheese and yoghurt, I’ve never broken a single bone in my entire life. In spite of falling out of trees, down stairs and crashing my motorbike. I do have the poor teeth and weak nails though. But my mum had them too and she drank milk, so I don’t know the cause of that particular problem for me.
#47 by river on January 25, 2009 - 3:30 AM
One or two other things:- a teaspoon of honey a day helps the body to retain its calcium, and there are other mineral “triggers” which help the body to fully utilise the calcium available. Vitamins A & D help too, think cod liver oil…..
Found it–the other triggers are phosphorus and magnesium.
Phosphorus:- Seeds, grain foods, all wholegrains, beans, nuts, wheatgerm, bran, brazil nuts, almonds, oatmeal, lentils, barley, onions, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, mushrooms, sweetcorn, sweet potato, garlic, most dried fruits. “The condition of the skin, hair and fingernails is also governed by phosphorus….”
Ooooh!! I’m reading all this from my natural health book, (author Dorothy Hall) which I haven’t read for a while, here’s a line:- “If you want to walk around fully alive, magnesium is for you! Sometimes, if you feel half-dead, this exhaustion can be attributed to insufficient magnesium and phosphorus in foodstuffs.” “Magnesium plays a part in hardening the teeth…….”
I REALLY need to have another read of this book, which used to be my bible….
Magnesium:- wheat products, most of the nut family, sesame seeds (again), tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, celery, radishes, parsley (also rich in iron and calcium), soy beans.
Obviously I don’t know which foods Braden likes or will eat, but an on-line search for vitamin and mineral contents of foods can’t be a bad idea, and you may be able to coax him into a wider range of foods if he sees you and John eating them. Not saying his diet is lacking at all, just the opposite I’d say, looking at his bright eyes and hair and his energy levels.
#48 by Redneck Mommy on January 25, 2009 - 12:30 PM
The nice thing about baby teeth is they fall out.
Wait till he’s 11 and he chips his front teeth. Then you can freak out like I may have when my son came home with bloody gums and wiggly permanent teeth and have visions of raising a toothless boy for the rest of his life.
Not that I am speaking from experience. Ahem.
Wink.
Redneck Mommys last blog post..I Have Way Too Much Time On My Hands
#49 by Amanda on January 25, 2009 - 12:58 PM
Neilen chipped one of his front teeth, too. I immediately went into freak out mode when I saw it.
The thing is, he has NO IDEA how it happened. It was either at school (WTF?!) or at my mom’s house while I was at work.
I am particularly sensitive in this area because I had to have my two front teeth pulled because I fell hard on them and basically killed the nerve endings or whatever. So from ages 5-7, my grandpa sung to me relentlessly: “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!” And I hated it.
Bah.
#50 by *pixie* on January 25, 2009 - 8:50 PM
Won’t the little ladies at the playground love a little guy who looks rough and tumble? Either way, he is a doll.
*pixie*s last blog post..Honestly? I should get off my ass a little more often.
#51 by Beck on January 26, 2009 - 10:44 AM
Baby teeth are mostly enamel AND they don’t stick around. By seven, his mouth will be full of giant, sturdy grown-up teeth. Isn’t that CRAZY?
Becks last blog post..A Burning Post
#52 by Tranny Head on January 26, 2009 - 4:25 PM
Dude! Candy cigarettes were totally badass. My friend and I would ride our bikes with our 80’s slap bracelets and t-shirt ties and we were AWESOME with our candy cigarette badass selves.
Though I admit, after thinking about the texture in relation to teeth, I totally had an inner cringe.
*shudder*
Tranny Heads last blog post..Eighteen Fun Facts About the Sumo
#53 by Sunita on February 8, 2009 - 8:35 AM
It is a big problem for parents if their child’s tooth got damaged.Vitamin D is also necessary for strong teeth.