Our dentist told us that he wanted to start seeing Avery once she turned 3. But the more we thought about it, the more we wanted her to see a pediatric dentist who knows how to deal with children. We’d like her to grow up with the same dentist, and unfortunately ours won’t be practicing for another 18 years. Luckily, one of our friends is a pediatric dentist. We thought it also would be good for her to go to someone she knows outside of the office.
Avery’s first appointment was today. All week, we talked up the experience. We explained that she would lie down in a chair while Dr. Mark looked at her teeth and cleaned them. She seemed fine and was very excited about everything…until she actually got to the exam!
She enjoyed playing with the toys and books in the waiting room but was anxious to start her appointment. She even tried to open the door and go to the exam area by herself! Finally dental hygienist Katie called her name, and we both followed her to the exam area.
Instead of putting Avery in one of those big, uncomfortable exam chairs, she laid on my lap so her head was in Dr. Mark’s lap. Then she started crying…big tears! Dr. Mark quickly counted her teeth (she has all 20 that she’s supposed to have) and did a fast cleaning. Then he applied fluoride with a little brush.
Once she sat up, she was fine. Katie offered her a toy and a bag full of goodies, like crayons, a toothbrush and even a coupon to a local restaurant. Then she started chatting with Dr. Mark and Katie, and she was back to her normal self.
Mark said everything looks great, except her bottom teeth look crowded. That means her permanent teeth may be crowded, too. He said we need to start saving for braces now! That’s no surprise since Chris and I both suffered through braces.
A perk is that we also saw Mark’s wife, Gina, and their older daughter, Aubrey, when they stopped by for a short visit. Seeing Aubrey (and watching a Nemo-lookalike swim in the fish tank) helped Avery relax before her appointment.
Overall, it was a good experience. I don’t think she was too traumatized! We’ll go back in six months and start having cleanings twice a year.