Some time in the middle of October, we took the kids for their first dentist visit. Agnes found a dentist that specializes in kids’ teeth, and we brought them out for their appointment. At first, we had planned on showing them the Jon and Kate Plus 8 episode where they went to the dentist, but we didn’t remember in time.
In the waiting room, I tried to show the kids the Jon and Kate Plus 8 dentist episode while Agnes filled out forms, but the Scooby Doo that they had on the TV in the waiting room was too loud, so we let the kids just draw instead.
We tried having the dentist examine Eleanor first, and she seemed to be okay until the dentist started adjusting the chair. Then she started squirming and looked uncomfortable.
We decided it probably made more sense for Miranda to go first. Miranda tends to be better with new and intimidating things and Eleanor becomes more comfortable with doing something after she sees Miranda do it.
Miranda noticed that Sponge Bob was playing on the TV above the dentist chair.
The dentist showed Miranda that he had nothing in his hands, and then felt around her face and jaw. He then had her open her mouth so that he could visually examine each tooth. He told her that he was counting her teeth as he touched each one. Then he let Miranda know that it would tickle as he cleaned her teeth, and proceeded to do so while his assistant suctioned excess saliva.
Miranda was asked to purse her lips together into a kiss to form a seal around the suction when the cleaning was done. Since things went well, the dentist suggested getting an x-ray of Miranda’s front teeth as well (the side teeth are too hard to x-ray since the film is tricky to hold in place). Agnes held Miranda on her lap, and they both wore lead vests.
All this time, I pointed out to Eleanor what was going on with Miranda’s examination. We also looked at the mural of sea life on the wall, and played with the sets of teeth on one of the tables. After Miranda’s x-ray, it was Eleanor’s turn, and she was much more confident about it.
Miranda played with the teeth on the table, and checked out what she got in her dentist goody bag (tooth brush, floss, and toothpaste).
Eleanor also got her teeth x-rayed.
After everything was done, we took at a look at the x-rays. The dentist said that Miranda’s baby teeth looked like they had plenty of room, but that there was some crowding of her adult teeth on the x-ray. One of her teeth was starting to turn as a result. Eleanor’s teeth were the opposite. Her lower baby teeth are a little crowded, but her adult teeth seem to have plenty of room. We’ll just need to watch this over time.
We were told to make sure the kids start spitting out the toothpaste or that we switch back to a non-fluoride toothpaste, and that we be more diligent about flossing. We went home, taught the kids to rinse their mouth (and not swallow the toothpaste), and we got some floss sticks to floss their teeth. It’s become part of our regular routine ever since.