We Love the Dentist's Office!

These two kids love the dentist more than any other kids I have ever seen.  It is crazy!  I actually think that they look forward to it.  We went again last week and both are in great shape.  No cavities and our brushing, while not perfect, isn't bad.  Whew!  Thanks to Dr. Lety and her staff for being so awesome with the kids!

Dental Surgery

 In the waiting room, prior to going back.  Last time with the two front baby teeth.

 After drinking some Versed.  Getting kind of noodly.  The assistant was calling him Mr. Noodle.

 After surgery.  Two baby teeth and the extra permanent tooth taken out.  All packed up nicely in green disco ball necklace.

 Showing his pulse oximeter.  Still noodly, as you can see from the posture.

At home about an hour and a half later with his Star Wars pillows, blanket from Great Grandma Grace and his teeth around his neck.  Watched How To Train Your Dragon for the first time.

Alex had a dental surgery on Friday to remove the extra permanent tooth which was above his baby teeth. We have known for a few years that there was an extra tooth up there, thanks to x-rays, but they wanted to wait until it would be closer to the time that the front baby teeth would normally fall out.  His teeth weren't loose, but it was time to take out the extra tooth, so during the surgery they took out the two top front baby teeth and then the extra permanent tooth which was above.  It took less time than they had indicated it would and Alex was a great patient.  He had some Versed, but wasn't really knocked out for the procedure.  He took surprisingly little pain medication afterward.  They had prescribed Tylenol with codeine, but he ended up taking just 1/2 a dose of that and then two of Motrin over the next two days.  After reading the How To Train Your Dragon book series for the past few months, he was able to watch the movie, which he enjoyed.  Quite the trooper we have!

Loving the Dental Office

Somehow I feel that I have hit the jackpot, having two kiddos who actually like going to the dentist.  Alex has always loved going and it has been so easy.  Julia was a bit hesitant the first time she went, but somehow this last time she was completely cool with it.  Not sure if it was the birthday card and sticker they sent to her, or us talking about the dentist a lot, or the bribing prior to the dental visit promising a treat (she picked out a plum), but whatever made her change her mind, I'm so happy!  She was perfect throughout her visit, following instructions, engaging in conversation and just generally being a perfect patient.  She was so happy to receive a purple toothbrush at the end of it all, in addition to a couple of tattoos and a new bracelet.

Alex was a trooper as always and cruised right through everything.  I was prepared for a not so good visit, but it turned out to be surprisingly relaxed.  Yay!

At the Dentist

We visited Dr. Lety's office yesterday for checkups and cleaning.   Alex, as usual, had a "fun" time at the dentist.  When we left, he told me that he "had alot of fun".  He always does.  It is so cool!  He has loved that dentist's office and all of the staff there, since the first time he visited.  He always makes me so proud when we are there, because he listens so intently and follows every direction that they give to him.  They always comment that he is such a good listener.  If only that would translate to listening all of the time to his Momma! ;-)  He was rewarded with a couple of prizes from the box and he chose a lanyard type thingy with teeth on it and some crazy squishy caterpillar.

Miss Julia did not like the dentist as much as her older brother.  To be fair, she has had much more contact with medical professionals than he has and has been poked and prodded during EKGs, echos, blood draws and the like, so I think that she is just more wary of anyone in scrubs.  She was very patient in the exam room while we watched Alex get his cleaning and exam and then when it was her turn, she was not thrilled with Dr. Lety trying to look at her teeth, even though when we practiced at home, she was a little champ.  Oh well, many more visits in the future, maybe it will get better.  She did stop crying once Dr. Lety gave her some special little dog stickers from her pocket.  Maybe we should try that first, next time.  Ha!

Of course, she didn't get anything from the box, probably because most of it is not really age appropriate for a 19 month old.  I knew that I should get two of the same toy (the squishy caterpillar) because of course she would be attracted to that crazy toy as well.  Alex let her play with it for a while and then I asked her to give it back to him.  She didn't want to, so I then gave it back to him and the crying ensued.  At some point, I am quite sure that she didn't even remember why she was crying, but she certainly was not going to stop.  Not for a sticker, not for a granola bar.  Nope, for nothing!  Needless to say, the caterpillar is now in Alex's room along with some other stuff which is in his "secret stash", which will remain Julia-free.