Habits

I forgot to mention the throat clearing habit has vanished. It happened either right before or right after school started. However, it has been replaced by a sniffing habit. She also has a really loose front tooth, of which she cannot wiggle using her tongue. I sort of feel like a neglectful parent because I have never taken her anywhere to have her limited tongue movement treated. It's not like we haven't been treating a million other things. Her speech is as clear as an adult, so it is not affecting her speech. She can eat enough to grow, so it's not affecting her health. But, it is something she should be able to do, it could be the reason she is not able to eat certain foods. I got a referral from the pediatrician just a couple of days ago for a speech therapist that can work on feeding. I have hesitated to make this move because food and her mouth is such a sensitive area and I don't want her to be re-traumatized. I also found out it is not covered by insurance. I can't afford $400/month, that's what it will cost for 1x/week. I told my husband, I'm not going to pay that to watch them blow bubbles with her. I may go for an eval to see what I can find out.

I have never seen a child lose teeth as fast as her. The first 2 got wiggly and were out 2 days later. I know they weren't at all loose before then because I brush her teeth. This top one is taking a little longer, but I don't think it's been a week yet and it's almost dangling. The good thing is that it doesn't seem to bother her. The 2 adjacent teeth to that one are also getting loose, so she could have 3 missing on top. Maybe it's a good thing she can't reach it with her tongue, she's constantly be feeling the huge gap with it. I am excited for Halloween. When her older sister was around this age, she had lost teeth this time of year. I carved her pumpkin to match her missing teeth. I am so excited to do this for S. It looks like the timing of her tooth loss with cooperate.

We haven't been to the dentist yet, she just isn't ready. But, I had an idea and I think it's going to work. I asked my hygenist if she would loan me some of the instruments she uses to get her used to them. She happily obliged and I started using them. After the first time, S announced she was ready for me to make an appt!!!! I told her we needed a little more practice and then we would go. I am going to take her when I go next month and see how she does. It might help to have 3 less teeth to clean anyway!