First of all, I wish my dentist could be a pediatric dentist. Baby teeth fillings are just so...zippy! And cheap! And there is a train that roams around the office, and the patients get little tokens for toys or a ride on a mechanical horse...what's not to love?
'Tis the season for dental checks, at least in our family, as we try to spend the remainder of last year's FSA money by March 15. (Don't get me started on how stupid it is that money doesn't carry over from year to year. GRRRRRR!!!) Because my children are genetically related to me, they have bad teeth. So, both Zee and Em needed fillings and caps.
Zee's appointment was last Thursday. It was agony. The laughing gas didn't make much a difference in his general mood of terror, the numbing goop made him gag, the shots made him scream and writhe and cry. It was really, really terrible. He hated the whirl of the drill (I know that feeling exactly), the pushing and prodding...the entire appointment lasted all of twenty-five minutes, and he was miserable the entire time. (And thus, so was I.)
Today was Em's appointment. Now, this is her first time needing more than a cleaning at the dentist, so she didn't know what to expect. She was pleased when I told her where we were going, thrilled to go into the waiting area, actually skipped behind the dental assistant into the exam room. She giggled and laughed. The laughing gas really affected her. She was even (if possible) giddier, and then got a little sleepy, then giddy, then sleepy. She barely murmured when they gave her the shots. She was a model patient.
Why were they so different? Was it because Zee had certain expectations--having been to the dentist several times before? Was it because the laughing gas has more of an effect on Em? Was it just because they are very different kids? One of the reasons I am uncomfortable at the dentist has to do with claustrophobia--I really hate having the dentist's hands and face in my face, although I appreciate there is no other way for him to work. Maybe Zee inherited that particular discomfort, and Em didn't.
Who knows? All I know is that I'm not dreading Em's next appointment the same way I dread Zee's.
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My kids go to the same dentist as yours. Their favorite part is riding the horse. :) So far we have not had any visits other than cleanings, but we will find out soon if that trend continues.
ReplyDeleteOH, I am so sorry, I totally understand - we were in the out patient surgery - this time for Neeve - she had at least 8 cavities, and she just got in her first of the back molars and there is a cavity in it already, so I assume as soon as they all are in we will be back in the surgical center.
ReplyDeleteOh, Liz, I'm so sorry, too! For little Neeve! Lovely. They are contemplating surgical dental work for Gee, but I'm balking. The child's been under anesthesia three times already; I'm not sure I'm up for a fourth for DENTAL work.
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