Today I took Fiona to her first dentist appointment. The day began with a walk to the park, where I learned that Fiona can climb ladders to get onto platforms and can swing on the swing by herself as well.
Then we went to the dentist. I prepared Fiona for her first visit to the dentist by telling her about the appointment earlier in the week. I told her how much I like going to the dentist and we practiced playing dentist by lying on the couch and counting each other’s teeth, and opening our mouths wide and saying “aah”.
We were helped by Christina. Christina showed us around the office (there were murals and toy machines), gave Fi some stickers, and showed us to our room. Christina asked me a bunch of questions about Fi’s eating and brushing habits, and put some sunglasses on Fi so the light wouldn’t blind her. There was a monitor with “Finding Nemo” on, but I don’t think Fi watched very much of it. She was too busy watching Christina clean her teeth.
Fi did everything that was asked of her, lay quietly while her mouth was worked on, and even let Christina brush and floss her teeth. Later, we met Doctor Sunny, the actual dentist, who looked in her mouth, counted her teeth again, and declared that her bottom teeth look fantastic, her upper arch is forming beautifully, and she is considered an early teether because she has all 20 of her milk teeth (and got them by the time she was two years old). Her teeth come together really well and are nicely spaced. He said Fi has the classic tooth set up that they show in pictures, including the photo we saw of the “good” mouth.
Dr. Sunny noticed some signs of early pre-decay (best way to put it) on her upper front teeth. He said it is completely reversible, but we have to be more vigilant, especially because both John and I do not/did not have very good teeth when we were children, despite good oral hygiene habits (yay heredity). Basically, we have to start brushing Fi’s teeth for her (she does it all herself after we read the toothpaste tube together). We need to lift her lip and really get in there. And we need to stop giving her milk after she brushes her teeth. The milk is going to be a tough one because milk and water are part of her bedtime routine (get undressed, brush teeth, bath every other night, pull up, jam jams, milk and water, lights off, hugs and kisses). She is going to have to drink it before she goes to the bathroom to brush. He advised my to stop the binkie use too, because it is starting to affect her teeth, but only slightly right now. In the future it could be a problem. I am not in a rush to do it, and told him it will have to wait until at least the summer because I am not going to deal with giving up the binkie while I am still working.
All in all, I was not surprised by any of the news that her teeth are developing nicely, or that we need to help her brush them, or that she needs to give up the pacifier. Dr. Sunny and Christina both emphasized what Fi’s school told us about juice (not to give it, or only sparingly with meals), eat lots of fruits, avoid sugary and sticky snacks (no problem, Fi snacks on cheese, nuts, and fruit), and continue to brush regularly. We opted to skip the fluoride treatment because apparently they made it taste good and I knew Fi would try to drink it.
After the appointment, Fi got four quarters from Dr. Sunny and got to put them in the toy machines. She got a whistle, some bracelets, and a little rubber duck that is patterned like a soccer ball. She played with the duck on the way home and we talked about it. We came home and had a nice lunch, and then Fi took a nice long nap!
I’m so glad she had a good experience at the dentist. I have been very lucky to always have good dentists so I view such an appointment as a positive thing. I love the way my teeth feel after and I hope Fi learns to feel the same way. I am also inspired to have Family Flossing Time, when we all floss our teeth each night before bed. I do that anyway, so I am hoping this encourages John to get in on the act as well.
Spring Break is almost over and I’m sad because I’ve really enjoyed my week home with Fi. And I know she has too, as can be shown by her napping and good behavior lately. Plus, I had class last night and when I got home, I got the biggest welcome ever. Fi ran around, jumped, and hopped into my arms, threw her arms around my neck, all the while chanting “Mommy’s home! Mommy’s home!” And who wouldn’t feel 20 feet tall at that kind of reception?
Smile!
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