Dentist Fail

This morning was Mac's first dentist appointment! Yes, I know he should have had it in July when he turned three, but give me a break. However, in hindsight, I wish we had done it in July!

I was NOT looking forward to taking him, based on his behavior at his three year well child appointment at the doctor. I had my cleaning yesterday and the hygienist recommended I not over communicate with him about it. Kind of like, the less he knows, the less he will freak out. So I didn't. It also helped that Finn and Korri were going after school, so I just said they were doing it too.

My worry was all for naught. Like he did AMAZING! It helped that his hygienist was super good with him.

He got to pick strawberry toothpaste and after his cleaning, he noticed a silly tooth monster, whom he loved! He didn't love that the chair reclined, but I just had him sit up until it was down and then lean back.

I was so happy with how the appointment was going. Until the dentist came in. Mac had SIX teeth with cavities on them. Please keep in mind he only has TEN teeth!! I was shocked and honestly felt like the a terrible mom (I didn't feel like the worst mom until later). But I shouldn't have been. I mean, the kid eats sugary snacks All. Day. Long. And while we do a pretty good job brushing, the sugar still sit on his teeth all day. AND bad teeth can be genetic and Jim has really soft teeth and has had problems with them his whole life. So, we made an appointment for next week to try to get the fillings started. If it doesn't go well, the dentist will refer us to a pediatric dental facility that is capable of putting patients under. Fingers crossed.

Mac says he loves the dentist, so I'm glad for that. We'll see how he feels after the appt next week. Plus, he got to (finally!) pick out a toy from the toy basket, which  make anything better.

Fast forward to Finn and Korri's appointments. I picked them up a little early from school to be sure we got there on time. Neither kid was excited about the appointments but after some grumbling and "I'm not going in," they both got started. After walking back with Korri, I stayed in the waiting room with Mac. I was a little upset they didn't call me back when the dentist talked with them because well, I'm the mom. Oh, well.

They both did very well for their cleanings. However, the grand total of cavities between the three of them was FIFTEEN! Korri had 4 and Finn had 5. I mean, what?!?! This is where the feeling of being the worst mom rear their ugly head. They brush their teeth twice a day. They use Act mouthwash Every. Single. Day! Holy crap! I get a pit in my stomach just writing about it.

So, now over the next few months, we get to go back in for filling appointments. Argh!!

Oh, and Finn got a referral for an orthodontist. I mean, I'd been told since he was born that he had issues and he'd need either surgery or orthodontics, but it still hit me like a ton of bricks.

It was just too much all at one time. I couldn't even fully process all of it. So it wasn't so much a "dentist fail" as a "dental health fail."