Holly Visits the Dentist

There's a pretty important event that I've been putting off for a while now. The American Dental Association recommends that children visit the dentist by one year of age. Holly is 3 1/2, and has never been to the dentist. Have I mentioned that she was born with a tooth? Yeah, I know, not getting Mother of the Year for that one.

But here's my rationalization... 1) Holly is nervous around new people 2) Holly is even more nervous when her space is invaded 3) Holly is in near panic attack mode when new people invade her space. Not to mention the fact that she has what I consider a rather normal fear of doctors and machines that spin and buzz - especially in her mouth while a giant light blinds her sweet, sensitive eyes (I don't think her eyes are actually sensitive, but didn't it make you go "Aw!"?).

So, my plan has been to brush her teeth as thoroughly as I can and pray for the best. Until she turns, maybe, 10. Just kidding. Sort of.

But then she had to go and fall on her top front teeth a few weeks ago. After a day or two of extreme sensitivity, they seemed fine. Until they started turning a lovely shade of gray. I realized that she had injured them and that they were at best bruised, and at worst, dying. Ugh. Time to make the call...

I'm super picky about dentists, and it seems that Holly will be as well. She insisted it had to be a girl dentist. So I found a "girl" that came highly recommended, and called yesterday. They were able to get her in at 10 this morning. Score 1 for the dentist.

We walked in and saw a marker board with all today's patients' names written in really fun colors on a big marker board. Holly loved seeing her name on the board. Score 2.

The movie Cars was playing in the waiting rooms. 3.

The movie Cars was playing on the ceiling above the exam chair. I'm losing count.

There was an aquarium across from the exam chair and huge picture windows overlooking some woods to the side. Holly loved it.

The hygienists were wonderful, taking lots of care and time with Holly, never pushing her beyond her comfort zone. They explained everything, even trying the instruments out in her hand before putting them in her mouth. Holly, who I was expecting to have to sedate, was awesome. They gained her trust quickly, which says a lot. She walked out with 2 stickers, a bouncy ball, and a new Winnie the Pooh toothbrush. Holly racked up. The best part? When she got in the car and said, "I'm so proud of myself!"

And the top teeth should be just fine - we just need to watch for infection, and they should return to normal over time.

So maybe all along, I was the nervous one and Holly would have been just fine. I don't know. I'm just glad we got this first visit down - x-rays and all - and I have a feeling we'll both be looking forward to the next one.