1st trip to the dentist

Various sources say kids should see a dentist as soon as they get teeth. Really? A 9 months old who isn't even walking yet needs to see a dentist? Other sources say kids should see a dentist when they turn a year old. Really? A 1 year old who probably still doesn't have all their teeth, needs to see a dentist?

Clearly I'm not a believer in this but then didn't know when I should take the kiddos to see a dentist. My conscious got the better of me and decided it was finally time for Jack to see a dentist and if he was going, might as well have Brooke go. And their first trip to the dentist went very well.

Jack was a little apprehensive at sitting in the chair by himself so we distracted him by picking out a toothbrush and then he sat on my lap, in the chair. He had no problem with the dentist -- who was great with the kids -- poking around in his mouth. No cleaning - just looking. Good news is that Jack's habit of sucking all four fingers on his right hand isn't affecting his teeth. The take away is that Jack's teeth look great and that he has a small mouth for all his teeth.

Brooke had no problem sitting on my lap in the chair and no problem with the dentist looking in her mouth. She had a little grey on her top teeth so the dentist offered to polish it off. We moved so that I sat on a bench, put Brooke sitting on my lap facing me and then laid her back so her head was on the dentist's knees - who was sitting opposite me. She didn't like that at first but quickly just let it happen. Jack was very curious as to what was going on and inspected the whole thing. The take away with Brooke is that anytime she has a cleaning, she'll need to go on antibiotics (because of her VSD) and that she has a big mouth to fit her teeth.

All in all, a great, easy appointment. We go back in six months for a potential cleaning for Jack and just another check in for Brooke. I'm so proud of my kiddos for taking on something new without crying or throwing a fit. And personally, it feels pretty good to know that my kiddos feel comfort by just sitting on my lap. If only I could always solve all their fears/apprehensions by having them sit on my lap!