I have vague memories of actually enjoying trips to the dentist as a kid. Before fillings, back before it was intrusive enough to be painful… when sitting in the big chair made me feel special and being told to spit somehow felt like a thrill.
Today my son had his first dentist appointment. We saw Dr. Melini at Chester County Dentistry for Children in Lionville, and (in case you were wondering) everyone there was wonderful. On a rare trip away from his twin, we ventured out for his check up. In the waiting room, he played alone, watched the other kids but didn’t mingle. When we went in to meet our dentist, my three year old shook his hand, he sat up in the chair, and opened up his mouth, he enthusiastically selected bubble gum flavored tooth paste even though I am certain he has never had bubble gum before and when he received a red Pooh Bear toothbrush he exclaimed that it was “beautiful!”.
My heart was in my throat when the hygienist scraped his tiny half grown in teeth with her instruments and he sat so still and compliant, even offering her a swallowed “yes” when she asked if he was OK, while her hand was still in his mouth. And when he had to sit, biting a piece of gauze after having fluoride applied, I knew he didn’t like it, I could see his discomfort, but he still told her he was ‘great’ after she had cleaned his mouth of spit and praised him for being so good.
Granted I took him alone. I envisioned a double visit with one running wildly around the office flinging picks and floss while their sibling wailed, strapped down in a chair. But the reality was so much better, it made me feel like we are getting somewhere on our journey to somewhat (I mean they are mine after all) civilized beings. In two days I take my daughter. Hopefully, she also finds the whole experience more fascinating than foreboding.