So, it wasn't really an appointment for the toddler, it was supposed to just be for my routine cleaning, but since the toddler came with me -- the hygentist took advantage of the toddler's willingness to experiement.
The toddler was all excited to sit in the chair and let "Miss Vicky" look in her mouth.
So, the pictures aren't the greatest of quality -- they were taken with some sort of dental computer-thing, but they're documented, nonetheless!We have a little problem at our house: thumb-sucking! It's actually not so much of a problem for me, it keeps my toddler more like 'my baby' than a big girl. But, I do know that thumb-sucking, if not corrected early, can lead to big mouth problems.
You see, I sucked my thumb until I was about 7 or 8 years old (I think). One of my thumbs tasted like vanilla and one tasted like chocolate. So, I can't really blame the toddler for sucking her thumb either.
The dentist had a nice talking to her, "your thumb is making that space between your teeth", "big girls don't have to suck their thumbs anymore, so you don't have to either if you don't want". He was very nice about it....not too pushy, just the right amount of 'toddler discussion' that was needed.
However, trying to take a nap today was a different story: "I WANT to suck my thumb mommy!" She had a very hard time falling asleep without that thumb. I never told her she couldn't suck it, I just said, "I know you do, babe". I think she eventually put it in her mouth and fell fast asleep -- after an hour of negotiating with herself.
I don't want to tell her she can suck it, but I also don't want to tell her she can't -- I'm really torn. Any advice?
2 comments:
Sounds like a tossup b/w your own sanity and the future of her follow-up dental visits.
I would say [from my vast experience w/ child-raising] that neither of your options is bad, but one of them is probably better [for Payton] and you have to decide, in the long run, which one it is.
also those teeth she has now are goners anyway.
Ah...I remember your first trip to see Dr. Dawe. also on "my" visit you sat in the chair for your pretend check-up...only he found a teeny tiny cavity. The next visit included the Bozo Nose!!!!
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