"You don't have to brush your teeth, just the ones you want to keep." - Anonymous

"Child Dental Check-Up" by Adrian Hughes

Isn't that quote great?  It's an anonymous quote that I read and laughed aloud when I came across it.

Around my home, this was a major week that focused around teeth.  This past weekend was the six month check up for our family visit to the dentist.  I have never been fond of dental visits.  Luckily I have found a dentist I really like in New York.  Now that I live in Connecticut, twice a year we drive to New York for our dental appointment.  It is really a great practice - a husband and wife, he tends to adults and she to children.  There is never a wait, they do not overbook and are usually waiting for us to begin.  It doesn't get much better than that.

Earlier last week, my son finally lost his first two teeth and the Tooth Fairy visited our home for the first time.  For a couple of months, he looked like a shark with two rows of teeth in his mouth.  We tried and tried to speed up the process so his baby teeth would come out.  What didn't we give him to eat?  Corn on the cob, apples, bagels.  Those teeth got loose but were holding on strong!  I am disappointed because the adult teeth growing in behind the baby teeth came in crooked and spaced a little far apart.  I have convinced myself that if those baby teeth would have come out before the adult teeth started to appear, they'd be spaced much better and straighter.  He did great - had a fluoride treatment and had his adult molars sealed.

I hadn't scheduled my daughter, who just turned two a few weeks ago, for an appointment.  I assumed I would start her first experience in six months.  They had time after my son to give her a check up and cleaning.  I have to say, it's moments like this when I think kids really exceed our expectations.  I am not a parent who gets anxious about doctor visits, worrying about needles or exams.  I think I would have worried about my daughter being quiet and not screaming out or crying loudly during a dentist check up.  She watched her brother's exam and when it was her turn stepped up in the chair and sat all by herself.  They counted her teeth, she got to pick a penguin toothbrush head for her cleaning and tried to gargle - but just drank the water. 

I highly recommend you find a dentist you really like.  It is important for the dentist to have a great manner and rapport with the children.  It is so important also for the dentist to be very firm.  There are some dental offices in my area that specialize in treating children only.  I have to say, I am not a fan of these kinds of practices.  For example, the chairs for dental cleaning are lined up half a dozen in a large room.  I think it could potentially be a big distraction for many children.  If a child is not having a good experience, how easy is it for them to change the positive dynamic your child might be feeling if they are seated next to a child upset or crying? 

Now onto my search for a pediatric orthodontist . . . it never ends.