This week I had the thrill of taking 4 children to the dentist at 9am. Three of the four children screamed “Yay!” when they found out they were going and the 4th quietly asked, “No shots?” Because she still hasn’t forgiven me for her last pediatric appointment—6 months ago.
I don’t know what your pediatric dentist is like but I have to say that I love the set up at our dentist’s office. The parents wait in the waiting room, lattes in hand. No exceptions. Kids go in without their parents. Siblings go in together. There is a large open room with several chairs, video games on the wall and a treasure box. Kids wear sunglasses during their examination and there is a strict routine of playing, being examined, getting a toy, having a treatment, playing etc. that makes the kids excited to come back for more.
I am proud to announce that even though Big Daddy has been putting the kids to bed at night by himself more frequently, and despite the fact that he “doesn’t brush teeth” they had no cavities—-again! A perfect record thus far.
I take exceptional pride because I’m still brushing my 7 year old twin boys teeth. Some nights it’s frankly exhausting and I wish I could just pretend I was just Big Daddy and skip it. I don’t though because our dentist says until they are writing cursive well they must have their teeth brushed by an adult.
And we all know that whatever happens to a kid is his or her mother’s fault. So I brush. No matter how exhausted. No matter how much I want to tell myself that they could brush well on their own, cursive writing be darned!
Our routine is after I brush, they brush. I’ve done this since they were 2. I highly recommend it. It works great for Toddlers who want to do everything…sometimes you have to let them brush first though.
Thankfully we had a great trip to the dentist. As I was walking out though it occurred to me that in a little over a year and a half I will be back with FIVE kids. I might need to upgrade from a grande chai to a Venti Chai.
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Yay for no cavities!
I let my 5 year old try to brush his by himself and then I have to finish for him.
Haha! Now I want me a chai latte!
Your dentist sounds so fun, why didn't I ever get a cool dentist like that?
So funny, my husband and I are the same way. He refuses to brush for them saying that they can do it themselves (they are 4 and 2). However, my dentist has told me the same as yours and I force myself to stick to it. Good for you- I know your pain:)
I didn't know that little rule of thumb until after Austin's first dentist visit. It was horrible (for me)… several cavities and a crown! I am thankful for that nice little orange cup of sleepy juice they had us give him on the way. He never remembered a thing. And now that they are older, we go to the same pediatric dentist. While we don't get lattes (bummer!) they do have WATER LASERS. Which means you can fill a cavity without shouts and without a drill! ZERO pain. How awesome is that?!
We are going for our first dentist appointment today actually, so it's great to see this post! I have let my kids brush their teeth on and off when I'm too tired or too busy and I hope I don't regret it today when we see the dentist. I wish we had a pediatric dentist, but they will just have to see the same grouchy old dude I see. lol.