Going to the Dentist

I was a little apprehensive about Mara and Micah’s first dentist visit, just because they’ve had so many recent medical experiences involving shots or needles–whether watching David get his blood drawn or all four getting the flu shot–and not knowing what to expect myself, I tried the best I could to prepare them.

I told them they would lean back in a big chair–almost like laying down–and the dentist might say, “Say ‘ahhhh'” or “Now bite down” or “Close your mouth.” I told them the toothbrush would make a little noise like “buzzzz” and it might sort of tickle a little bit.

Micah tends to worry in advance and then, after days of worrying, fully convinced something terrible is about to happen, he might scream, just in case (like when I’m trimming his fingernails).

Mara tends to react in the moment, shocked that there are painful parts of life at all.

Mom (that’s me) is left to sort through which responses need correction and which need comfort . . .

But to my surprise, the whole experience at the dentist really was amazing. The best part, of course, was learning that both kids’ teeth are healthy (and second best, was getting in and out in less than an hour with both kids!) But beyond that, a dentist who really relates well to your kids can give them a positive outlook on going to the dentist and even make the experience enjoyable!

When we came in, the resident introduced himself to the kids and talked to them for a couple minutes. He asked who was who and how to pronounce their names. Then he asked who was older and the kids looked at each other perplexed, as if all adults should know the answer to that question. He turned to Micah, “So are you a little bigger?” Mara and Micah hugged and Mara said, “Look!” as if him merely looking would clear up his question. I noticed how close they are in height right now.

But as the kids warmed up (which didn’t take long), he said he had a few things to show them. He showed them his chair and let Micah push the buttons to make it go up and down. Then he asked if Micah wanted to get in for a ride.  (“Okay, you can!–In a minute. I have a few more things to show you first.”)

Then he showed the kids his “squirt gun,” and literally squirted water across the room! They were laughing and of course begging to try. He showed them his mirror and his “silly straw,” and had them put their finger on it to feel the suction. Then he showed them his really special toothbrush and showed them on their fingernails how it felt when it was working.

“Now I have one more thing that some kids are scared of,” he finished. “Look at this: Doesn’t it make you think of Captain Hook? . . . Some kids are scared of this. But it’s not scary. Let me show you.” Again he tapped on their fingernails to show them what it does.

He took out his fluoride treatment and said, “When I’m done cleaning, I’m going to take this and paint on your teeth! On your teeth”–he turned to Mara–“I’ll paint princesses and fairies, and on your teeth [Micah] I’ll paint Spidermannnn or. . . the Hulk! . . . I’m not very good, but I’ll paint your teeth. AND when you’re all finished–this is my sticker drawer.”

He pulled open the drawer to reveal a variety of princess and super-hero stickers, which of course captivated their attention!

Mara went first and she did great. It was hilarious, although not surprising, I suppose, that she tried to talk through the entire teeth cleaning. He counted her teeth, while pricking each one with his hook. He let the kids choose: tooti-fruiti, bubble gum or mint toothpaste. Micah picked “fruit,” and Mara picked mint toothpaste and said, with mouth occupied, “Shhhhhhells shhoow [smells so] good.” After her cleaning she sat up and looked absolutely delighted!

Then she had her fluoride treatment, where he “painted” her teeth. Afterwards Mara asked for a mirror and he handed her one. “I don’t see the princesses and fairies,” she observed, carefully inspecting each tooth in the mirror.

“I told you I wasn’t very good,” he admitted. “But!–I have a princess toothbrush for you.”

There was no time for disappointment over the tooth painting. He handed her an Ariel toothbrush–Mara’s favorite princess. She was thrilled. He let her pick a princess sticker, and she began, “I have a sister. . .”

I knew she was going to ask for a second sticker for Carissa, so I said, “Just one.”

“She can have two.”

Micah was next and, what a relief, it went just as well! He was not quite as excited about a Tigger toothbrush, but there were Transformers and Spiderman stickers. He mostly enjoyed pushing the buttons to make the chair go up and down.

Mara wanted to stand right next to Micah and watch. But I asked her to stand by the wall to give the dentist (and Micah) some space. The dentist again, assured her, “It’s okay. You can stand here and watch!” So Mara watched Micah’s teeth cleaning and fluoride application. (What an awesome dentist! Sooo good with kids!)

Mara got x-rays–he didn’t think Micah needed them yet–and she enjoyed riding “up” in her helicopter. This first picture shows her excitement and the second picture shows how tiny my little Mara still looks in the tall chair!

I asked if I could take a quick picture of him with the kids–I said, I know I’m a crazy mom, but it’s their first dental visit yadda yadda yadda–and he offered that we go back to the room to make it look more authentic. (Big points there with me! Maybe he didn’t realize I’d already snapped a few shots?) He said his mom would have done the same thing. “The invention of the digital camera was a terrible thing for our family, because then my mom would take 800 pictures at Disney World and she wouldn’t feel guilty about it because with digital you can just take as many as you want. . . You’re lucky you caught us on a day we’re not too busy!” I felt–very lucky indeed. 😉

As I was waiting to schedule the next visit in six months, Mara noticed the mural on the wall: A red-headed girl with her little blond brother, riding together on a toothbrush.

Uncharacteristically quiet, she smiled at Micah, “Look! It’s us!” Giggling they ran over to take a look.

Those two! . . . Another “first” today. Together!

I wondered how much of this together-time they will remember. I will remember.

My mind flashed back through so many memories of them together. They are inseparable.

I know someday they will grow up and go their individual ways, but I love it that for now, in a mural of two kids loving life together, they see themselves and laugh.