Periodontal Visit

What, you ask, is a periodontist? It's one of those dental people who check out your gums. We had to make a visit to Dr. Tanner's office this morning for Gem. Her gums are in fine condition, but she had to have a frenectomy--another medical term to learn.
Frenectomy -- the snipping of that little connecting part under your upper lip that makes a bridge between your lip and your gums. Can you say, ouch?!!

Gem's little bridge thingy joined to the lip lower on the gums than most. This causes a gap between the front two teeth and could also have cause receding gums later in life.

A very nice employee sat in the lobby with my three boys while I watched the procedure. I'm pretty good with blood, but my imagination got the better of me a few times as I watched the actual snipping. Wow!!! I had to keep reminding myself that she was numb. Also, she kept looking my way so I had to put on a happy, brave face. It's one thing watching surgery on TV, quite another watching your own kid go through it--even if it is minor.

I love that brave girl. She was nervous about the numbing needle and freaked out a little bit (on the inside and in the expression of her eyes and wiggling feet) when she saw the tools that he kept sticking in her mouth, but she stayed still through the whole thing.

After the stitches were in we went straight to a gift shop where Shakespeare, Gem and Popcorn picked out new Webkinz. I've never been happier to indulge Gem. Then we made a beeline for CVS to pick up Tylenol 3 (good stuff) and children's Motrin. One last stop at the grocery store for Popsicles (prescribed) and home to recover.

As the numbing has worn off she has been moaning a bit. She lifted her lip once (a no, no) and popped a stitch. She told me through tears. I called. No problem. He puts extras in there just in case that happens. Such relief--for her and for me.

What a brave trooper. Gem, I'm proud.