The Dentist

Growing up my relationship with my dentist was not a good one.  I spent more time in the dentist chair than I wish on my ... well, people I am not fond of.  My dentist, though a nice man, was NOT a pediatric specialist.  He did not use gas, and limited his use of Novocain.

My parents did not have dental insurance & I hate to think what I cost them.  Aside from numerous cavities, I also broke my front tooth in the third grade.  Many dentists & orthodontists later I find myself still a little apprehensive when it comes to the dentist.

So, now here I am a mom of three kids.  They need to see the dentist.  (If you've been following you know my 1 year old has already since she chipped her two front teeth!) As a mom, it is my "job" to make the dentist a not - so - scary place.  Make it seem like we are going to .... a fun place of sorts.  I can't tell them, "Well kids when I was a kid, I cried & begged your grandma not to take me because it hurt REALLY REALLY bad & I still HATE the noise of the drill which sends shivers down my spine, but don't worry you'll be OK."  Nope.  Can't do it.

But, I have discovered a wonderful thing.  There are pediatric dentists who only treat kids!  (Some of you are saying DUHHH!!! but really, I didn't know!)  This is where my kids are going.  We found this dentist by chance as they had an opening for Audrey when I needed her to be seen.

Anyway, fast forward ... Vivienne had two cavities.  So, today was the day to get them taken care of.

So we go into the room.  Don't let this picture fool you.  She is hooked up to the gas, watching a movie with headphones on, bite block in her mouth, totally zoning out.  (As a kid, I didn't get any of those things!) The dentist was so nice, and all of the staff are really kind too.

Of course, after it is all over she gets a prize from the toy cabinet.  She got to pick two.  Jewelry and money.     My girl.

The broken tooth

When I was 7 years old, I fell at school and broke off half of my front left tooth.  That was the beginning of my fear and loathing of the dentist.  I won't go into details about all I went through, but I was traumatized.  Let's just say, my dentist rarely used Novocaine & never used the gas.

This week was Vivienne's 4 year old check up & Audrey's 1 year old check up at the pediatrician.  The girls' doctor is a wonderful woman who for me, is almost like going to see a friend.  Sadly for us, she is leaving the practice & pursuing her passion.   She reminded me that Vivienne needed to start going to the dentist and gave me a list of a few in the area.  One thing for sure, I will NOT take my child to a non-pediatric dentist.  No, adult dentist that sees children.  Nope, my kids are getting all of the bells and whistles that I didn't get!

Little did I know that the next day I would discover that AUDREY needed to see the dentist!

This is her at dinner on Thursday.  She smiled at me and WHAT????  You can't really tell here but her top right tooth is chipped too.  I knew when it happened.  The day before!  She had fallen, I saw her fall, heard a loud hit & a lot of screaming but didn't see any bruising or swelling on her face.  I was confused, but didn't think to look at her teeth.   I felt like mom of the year.

I have heard stories of parents who had kids with broken bones who discovered it 1 - 2 days later.  Man, what an awful feeling.  Have you had something like this happen?

By the way ... found a very kind & gentle dentist.  Audrey didn't even fuss at the exam.  She is fine "best" chip scenario.   Oh, one more thing ... get dental insurance as soon as your kid is born.  I didn't for Audrey.  Thank goodness it wasn't worse!