Back to the Dentist - First Cleaning

Six months ago when the Teenies made their first appearance in the dentists' office they were a little crazy and the decision was made by everyone involved that it would be best to just examine their teeth and leave the cleaning for the next visit.

Tuesday was the next visit.

We arrived right on time and took up most of the waiting room.  One of the practice's dogs was there, along with a bunch of toys and a "teebee" (as Max would say), so there was plenty to distract them.  I sat on a seat by the window.  Caroline found a butterfly Barbie doll and brought it over.  I thought she wanted to show it to me, but she really wanted to give it to the ten year old girl sitting next to me.  She then went back and got another toy, walked over to us and climbed up onto the seat inbetween us.  The girl seemed flattered that Caroline wanted to play with her, but also relieved when her name was called.  Caroline followed her to the reception desk only to be told she had to wait for her own name to be called.  She took it in stride.

When they were called back, Caroline marched back like she owned the place while Daniel dawdled along behind and Max followed the dog the wrong way down the hall.  By the time I'd corralled Max back into our room(s), Caroline was already up in the exam chair waiting.  Each exam room has a video screen facing the chair with another one on the ceiling synced to it and there is a whole host of kid-friendly animation to choose from.  Caroline got Sesame Street highlights.

The first step of each visit is a present - a new toothbrush.  Hers is peach colored with Eeyore on it.  She calls him "donkey".

Checking out the overhead screen

The next stage is to paint their teeth purple and show how much plaque is around.  Caroline has not been a fan of brushing her teeth, so I was nervous, but it turned out she only had a little patch of pink on the bottom.  Not bad.

Wiping the purple gunk off

Daniel was not nearly as pleased to be at the dentist as his sister.  He fought the hygienist and Daddy had to restrain him so that she could paint his teeth.

Caroline wants to know why everyone is in the other room.  I'm so sad this wasn't in focus - she's so cute!

After seeing how much plaque Daniel had, he got to try to brush it away.  He liked looking in the mirror while he brushed.

Daddy is pointing out where Daniel kicked him during the restraint portion of the event

In Caroline's room, she was preparing for her cleaning.

Checking out that overhead screen!

She was SO good!

Daniel got to choose his cleaning flavors from a little menu with pictures - he opted for orange and strawberry.

But even the flavors didn't make him any happier about the actual procedure.

Max had stolen my phone when we first got into the room, so he was a little more easily distracted / subdued than his brother had been.

But he was still a little wary.

The prognosis on their teeth was not so bad.  Daniel and Max have strong, well spaced teeth that need to be brushed a little bit more thoroughly.  Caroline needs to transition to dropping the paci to see if we can get her horribly bent and wayward teeth back aiming the right direction.  But other than that, her teeth are in good shape.

All in all, we were in and out in less than an hour for around $100 (thank GOODNESS for dental insurance!) and nobody seemed to hate it THAT much.

Here's Daniel dancing while Max endures his cleaning.