Just Going To The Dentist

Last Friday was Chloe's first trip to the dentist. She did great at her 3 year well-child check at her pediatrician the week before (the nurse said she'd never seen a 3 year old so calm, especially during her shots. Actually, during her shots, she laid on the table, pants to her ankles, with her arms under her head, starring off into space like she was on a beach. She didn't even flinch when the needles poked her.) Even though she did great there, we were still a little worried about how she would do at the dentist.

To prep for the big occasion, we read Mercer Mayer's Just Going To The Dentist. She loves Mercer Mayer's books and this story did a great job of explaining what goes on at the dentist. We then told her that the dentist was going to count her teeth and look in her mouth. Well, much to our surprise, she did just as well at the dentist, if not better, then she did at the pediatrician! No complaints, no worries. She was a little shy, but she wasn't scared at all.

Here she is, calmly getting her teeth cleaned. The hygienist was great- she explained to Chloe everything that she was doing and was so sweet.

Getting X-rays! They said a lot of kids this age won't cooperate and get X-rays done, but Chloe was so at ease that she probably would have jumped up on the table and done a dance if they'd asked her to.

She did great at "opening wide!" The dentist told her that in future visits, she may have to open her mouth for 5 minutes (to get dental work done) and he asked her if she could do that. She nodded her head, and then quickly opened her mouth right away, thinking she was supposed to do it right then. She was so obedient to everything they said, it was so cute.

Our dentist (the man in the Hawaiian shirt) and the hygienist were more than willing (excited actually) to get a picture with Chloe. We have such a great dentist and everyone in his office made Chloe feel right at home.

After her cleaning and X-rays, the dentist took a peek at her teeth (notice how calm and still she is sitting). Unfortunately, he found a cavity on the top that she will have to get filled in January. I don't know where a cavity at 3 came from- Ben and I didn't get our first cavities until we were in our 20's. The only good genes that we have available to pass on and she doesn't get them .....

After the check up, the hygienist brought her a toothbrush and then took her to pick a prize out of the prize basket. Chloe came back with a deck of Old Maid cards and I was quite surprised that she didn't pick a piece of the sugarless candy. Within seconds, Chloe said, "I want to eat this now!" She thought the box of cards was a box of candy! (She has a lot to learn about the dentist.....a land where candy is not plentiful, or even recommended, for that matter). She was very disappointed, and the hygienist, upon noticing, offered to take her back to let her pick another prize. Of course, Chloe came back with a sugar-free sucker and was thrilled.

And, not to be left out, Mitchell was given a toothbrush as well and can't wait to be like big sister and start brushing!

It was a great first trip to the dentist and Chloe had such a positive experience that we hope when we have to go back in January to fill the cavity that she will do just as well (wish us luck!)