a blog about raising a daughter with cerebral palsy and learning unexpected lessons along the way

Friday, January 7, 2011

The Dentist

My little "big" girl had her first dental appointment today. I was a bit apprehensive going into the appointment because 1) Oia hates to lay down at doctor's appointments and 2) she hates when doctors and nurses touch or mess with her head. Hates translates to a red face and a sad, pouty, bottom lip, verge of tears.

With some sweet talk and a little encouragement, she bravely reclined back into the chair. She opened her mouth when she was asked to and allowed the dentist to take a look around her mouth with his mirror. So far, so good. He brushed her teeth and then applied a vitamin solution. Again, so far, so good. Then came the spit sucker and from there it was downhill. And I can't blame her.... dentist gave no warning that he was about to use such a thing. The noise and the surprise and even the feel of the sucker was just enough to FREAK her out. At that point, she was crying and fighting to get up and get the heck outta there.



First dental appointment over. Teeth look good. No cavities. No worries of malocclusion and no more spit sucker for another 6 months.

4 comments:

  1. Awe, she's so brave. What a big girl she is!

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  2. Please say this to Oia for me - my what lovely teeth you have! I am jealous because I had both girls have to go under general anesthesia for dental work because specialty dentists don't do sedation for underweight people. And I am amazed she let a stranger do all that stuff before the spit sucker. She is brave, and has lovely teeth!!

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  3. Charlie's doctor calls the sucker "Mr. Thirsty" I don't think Charlie was particularly impressed with her creativity, but I imagine it's comforting for some kids.

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  4. The air blower thing freaks me out. It gets my startle response even when I know it's coming. Now most of the people at the dentist's office know I need warning & sometimes a practice run or else my entire body will bolt out of the chair. They really need to show you how stuff works (not just explain it) before it goes in your mouth. It's not like you can see in your own mouth.

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