The Dreaded Trip to the Dentist...

After being told from my daughter's pediatrician that she was encouraged to see a Pediatric Dentist at age one, I literally laughed when I got back in my car.  Are you kidding me? She barely has teeth and she's supposed to see a dentist already?!  Ludacris.  So I made the much dreaded trip to the dentist, hoping the experience wouldn't be too traumatic for my little mama.  God bless 'em, the pediatric dentist office and staff did the best they could.  Beautiful themed rooms for boys and girls; baseball room, rainforest room, princess fairytale room, and even a space room with hanging planets and overhead TVs...the whole nine yards.  The dentist is showing my daughter Reese how to brush the big stuffed animal's teeth with a massive pretend toothbrush and they're singing together and having a ball.  Until it's her turn.  The woman is singing and attempting to count Reese's teeth while she practically tries to bite the woman to stop.  So the dentist decided maybe we should come back.  Gsive it a month or so, and bring her back.  I thought - no way!  That was horrible.  I'll wait till she's a little older and she actually has all her teeth in.  Well, I'm embarrassed to admit it, but "a little older" was two years later.  Reese is now 3 and let's just say the appointment didn't go much better- for her or mommy.

After a fun time going through all the mumbo jumbo to get your kid "comfortable", I became uncomfortable when the dentist told me some AWFUL news.  Reese has 8 CAVITIES, and needs 2 root canals!!!! Yes you read right- 8 fillings and 2 root canals on a 3 year old.  They would need to sedate her to finish all the procedures, and she could knock it all out in one session.  Reese left the dentist so proud that she made it through not a clue what was going on.  She got her goodies: a little Ariel toothbrush and "Dora goes to the Dentist"book.  And I got my goodies - a bill and estimate (I won't even say how much) for the surgery.  Yikes. 

 Moral of the story- get your child to the dentist early!  But really the bottom line is -take your kid's nutrition and sugar -intake seriously.  She told me to treat Reese like she has Diabetes. Kind of dramatic, I know. :)  I mean it's okay every once and a while to have a massive cookie with icing that has about 13,000 calories :)... But every day mmmm not the best.  For snacks give your kids string cheese and always water.  Obviously brush their teeth and FLOSS (yes floss these little babies) 2 times a day. 

 So if I've officially freaked you out concerning your own child's teeth don't worry. Most of the problem with cavities isn't about sugar, it's actually about genetics she also told me.  Why are our worst traits always passed down to our kids!?  My mother told me I was literally born with holes in my teeth.  So I guess Reese was the same.  We'll do the best we can with her sugar-intake, and everything else is obviously in God's hands.  I'm not going to stress about it, but I will take every effort to take care of those little teeth! Hope you do as well!  Have a blessed day!*