Community Corner

Lost and Found: First Tooth 'Falls' Out

When losing a tooth means finding out that your child is growing up quickly.

Since June, my daughter has had her fingers in her mouth. And no, she’s not teething. Well… not exactly.

It was May when 6-year-old Georgia came home from school, eyes twinkling, and exclaimed, "My front tooth is loose!" We watched as she pushed and tugged and "wiggled" that tiny little Chiclet of a tooth.

We “oohed” and “aahed” for her benefit, all the while knowing that the big event would still be months away. As far as I could tell, her tooth may not be rock-solid, but it was far from loose.

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That is, until last week.

You know how little boys can continue to look like babies until they get that first haircut? They can walk and talk but until the inaugural trip to the barbershop, they still seem so young. But once that first haircut is over, they grow up. INSTANTLY.

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It’s the same way with the front teeth. Goodbye baby, hello kid.

When it was Ben’s turn, we couldn’t wait for it to happen. He was our first child, and his front tooth had been yanked and twisted so many times that it looked like a slivered almond hanging out of his mouth. We breathed a sigh of relief when he finally wrenched it out, as the little gap was so cute.

But then – the big teeth come in. I’m talking four times the size of the cute little Chiclets that they replace. Before you know it, your adorable gap-toothed child has these big, honkin’ beaver teeth that seem to be about 12 sizes too large for their head. They eventually grow into them, but for a good while you have to stop yourself from offering that kid carrots and making Mister Ed jokes.

Okay, maybe not that bad, but you know what I mean.

So back to Georgia. The time had finally come and I was having flashbacks to the slivered almond; I knew something needed to be done. Despite wincing at that crazy crooked tooth, I was pretty sure that I wasn’t going to be able to stomach yanking it myself so I suggested that Andy pull it out.

To my surprise, Georgia agreed.

He took a piece of dental floss and fashioned a small slipknot around her tooth. He asked her if she could taste the minty floss, and when he ran it across her tongue, he quickly snapped his wrist and out it came.

After a brief look of surprise, she whipped her head around and exclaimed, “IT’S OUT!” We all cheered and went to pick up the tiny little thing that had made it halfway across the kitchen floor.

As I went to hug Georgia and examine her new little smile, I had to choke back the tears and prepare for my baby to grow up. Her proud expression gave way to silly laughter and I tried to remember this moment, as I knew that it would be fleeting. As with all of childhood, it simply flies by.

We still see no signs of the new tooth coming down, so we’ll have some time to adjust to her new look. And although she is so cute right now, I know that when it does grow in she’ll be just beautiful. Different and more grown-up – but beautiful.

Suddenly, I’m craving Chiclets.


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