Help.....is my child disturbed????

[SpecialK]

When my youngest was about that age, he pulled a very loose tooth so naturally the conversation went to the Tooth Fairy and what she would bring. Next thing I know, he's back in the bathroom yanking a tooth that was far from ready because he wanted to double his loot. Left a huge, bloody hole in his gum.

He's a very normal 13 year old today, except for being a little conniving about money!

 

[luvmy3]

If he starts trying to pull out other kid's teeth, then I think you can worry about him being disturbed

 

[mickeyboat]

Our dentist has told our kids when they have a loose tooth, they are supposed to wiggle it.

 

[dawson5]

I remember wiggling mine when they started to get loose. Have you ever looked at the bottom of those? Some of the edges are sharp and when they move around, they dig in your gums. That's what I remember most about loose teeth, the adult one pushing to come in and the loose one there trying to go back into place. I would think it bothered him and that was why he pulled it out.

I have three boys, two would pull them out as soon as they possibly could (actually the youngest would ask his first grade teacher to pull his). The middle one won't let anyone but the dentist near his mouth. They all wiggle the loose teeth to get them out.

 

[Andtototoo]

I did that when I was a kid.

The looseness made my tongue go over to the tooth and push it. Then I'd do it again. And again. Then my mother would freak out. AHA! Good times ahead. So I'd do it some more and some more and some more. Then I'd take my fingertips and twirl it left and right. Then my mother would freak out and I'd be

People think I'm normal.

 

[december]

Don't most kids do this? Our kids did this, I did it too, the kids' friends as well.

I thought this was normal too. As soon as I found that a tooth was even a little bit loose, I would sit on the counter in the bathroom and mess with it until I could get it out. Dd11 used to drive me crazy because she wouldn't get the tooth out, and it would be hanging in place. I never could have done that as a kid! I guess I was very disturbed!

 

[AristocatFan]

Both my boys did this. DS18 would get the pliers and work it out. DS16 would use a spoon, he'd work it until he could get the spoon under an edge and pry it out. Now DD12, forget it, her teeth are so stubborn the dentist has had to remove them. I really don't think it's something to be concerned about.

 

[golfgal]

If he starts trying to pull out other kid's teeth, then I think you can worry about him being disturbed

No, then you just make sure he does well in math and science so he can get into dental school

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I thought this was normal too. As soon as I found that a tooth was even a little bit loose, I would sit on the counter in the bathroom and mess with it until I could get it out. Dd11 used to drive me crazy because she wouldn't get the tooth out, and it would be hanging in place. I never could have done that as a kid! I guess I was very disturbed!

My daughter would do the same thing. The tooth would be hanging on by a single thread and she would still refuse to let anyone touch it. Personally I find that more disturbing than what the OP's son did but I don't think my child is going to grow up to be a disturbed individual because of it.

When I was growing up, if there was even a hint that one of my teeth was loose I was wiggling it constantly until it came out. I couldn't stand to have even a slightly loose tooth in my mouth.

 

[luvmy3]

No, then you just make sure he does well in math and science so he can get into dental school

I don't know, I picture Steve Martin in Little Shop Of Horrors

 

[tw1nsmom]

OP, I know what you're talking about and unless you've seen it people can't know how scary and disturbing it is. DS is being treated for anxiety. One of many things he did to hurt himself over the last year. He pulled out 4 molars during the last month of school last year and his two eye teeth during the first week of school this year. These teeth had no play in them at all. they would make crack and popping sounds when he would yank them out and blood would gush. The other children around him at school were scared by it. It wasn't normal wiggling and pulling.

Is he hurting himself in other ways? Pulling at the skin around his nails? tearing his nails? (DS nearly pulled one nail out) Hitting himself? Calling himself names?

It may be nothing, but if it's worrying you or if there are other symptoms, talk to your pediatrician.

Oh, and no your son isn't disturbed. He may be having anxiety problems or there may be something bothering him (or as others have said he may just hate the feeling of loose teeth), but I think disturbed is too strong a statement.

 

[daisyduck123]

I had a 1st grade student who did that. Then her parents told her that the Tooth Fairy DOES NOT VISIT if you have yanked your tooth out before it is ready.

I think that solved the problem.

 

[lukenick1]

OP, I know what you're talking about and unless you've seen it people can't know how scary and disturbing it is. DS is being treated for anxiety. One of many things he did to hurt himself over the last year. He pulled out 4 molars during the last month of school last year and his two eye teeth during the first week of school this year. These teeth had no play in them at all. they would make crack and popping sounds when he would yank them out and blood would gush. The other children around him at school were scared by it. It wasn't normal wiggling and pulling.

Is he hurting himself in other ways? Pulling at the skin around his nails? tearing his nails? (DS nearly pulled one nail out) Hitting himself? Calling himself names?

It may be nothing, but if it's worrying you or if there are other symptoms, talk to your pediatrician.

Oh, and no your son isn't disturbed. He may be having anxiety problems or there may be something bothering him (or as others have said he may just hate the feeling of loose teeth), but I think disturbed is too strong a statement.

Thank you for your repsonse. I was a concerned that what he was doing was extreme and you made me feel better. I did call the pediatrician and they did say as long as he is not hurting himself in other ways (which he is not) then he is fine.

 

[lukenick1]

lol... I'm thinking you're disturbed by NOT expecting him to get it out. No offense, really, but it's funny how little things like this show such a difference. I absolutely hated having a loose tooth when I was younger... I would push it, twist it... beg other people to get it out. Looking back I think I was afraid if it got loose enough it would fall out on it's own and I would swallow it.

If this is the worse thing you have to worry about with your kid being "disturbed" I think you're doing one heck of a job.

This is the exact response I wasn't hoping for. Why is it on every post I make that someone has to turn it around and attack????

 

[lukenick1]

Conclusion.......
Hearing of many other kids who were into pulling teeth has made us feel less upset about it. Not knowing other circumstances, and knowing how "tight" this tooth really was it's hard to say that he is only doing what other kids did. Anyway, we are over it and told him not to pull another one without permission. As a matter of fact when we asked him why he did it, his response was "I want a doggy", so we said, "what does wanting a doggy have to do with pulling out your teeth"? He said he wants money to buy one. So my DH says (jokingly of course)...."well if you pull out your kidney you can get $20,000" Now that would be DISTURBING!!!