Dental Debutante

Finally, we have gotten around to bringing Alek to a dentist. I say finally because the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists say the first visit should happen as soon as the first tooth erupts. For Alek, that would have been at seven months. No business plan in that recommendation (note sarcasm). Conversely, the American Academy of Pediatricians recommendation was a visit at three years.

Anyways, Alek went to this particular practice with his pre-school, so he knew that we would have to take an elevator to get there and that the waiting room was designed to emulate a 1940s bus station complete with child sized Greyhound Bus. These inducements certainly created enough excitement to get us out the door for our 8AM Saturday appointment (very little waiting and easy to schedule), for both last and this Saturday's visits.

The first visit last week, was mostly a get to know you. The main theater is a big open room with four chairs and a big toy box in the corner. They let us in for a bit and Alek got comfortable playing with the toys. Eventually he noticed a big boy getting his teeth cleaned and serruptitiously watched that until the dentist came in. She talked with Susan and I about our concerns, Alek watched that too.

Then came the arkward part, getting a kicking non-compliant Alek into the oversized, reclined dental chair so the dentists could somehow examine his teeth. Fortunately, the dentists had other ideas. Here's what happened, Alek straddled Susan's lap, facing her. Slowly, keeping eye and fifi contact she lowered Alek back onto her and the doctors lap. Alek calmly and willingly open his mouth while the doctor checked his teeth with her fingers a mirror and a scary looking pick. The dentists trick was to not move too fast and frame upcoming events in terms Alek would find familiar. For example, when introducing the pick she asked Alek if he could hear the music and then proceeded to tap his incisors.

The non-ordeal was quickly over. Along the way, our concerns were addressed. Alek has 20 fully formed carie-less teeth, well spaced and straight. He jaw has placed his teeth well. There is a very slight protrusion of his right front incisor that seems to be a consequence of thumb sucking but the dentists remains far more unconcerned than anti-thumb commentors I have encountered. The dentist also thought the perception that Alek's teeth are a wee bit discolored to be a result of looking too hard. On a scale of 1 perfect to 10 horrendous dental health she gave Alek a 1.5!

We went back again this past Saturday for the actual cleaning. This involved a dental tech gently brushing Alek's teeth, with a bubblegum flavored toothpaste/fluoride polish. This time he willingly reclined in the chair and even wore sunglasses to maintain his coolness factor. The dentist came in, impressed by Alek's willingness to sit in the chair, and reiterated her prior diagnosis.

So the low sugar diet and daily brushing regimen are paying off and we can all look forward to a pleasant check-up in December.