A Trip To The Dentist

The dentist, the most hated and feared of all healthcare professionals (although I would also nominate the mamogram tech for that award). If you have one bad experience, one cavity, you may never want to go again.

I really don't mind the dentist. In fact, I actually like my dentist, he is a really nice guy. You are probably thinking that I am one of the lucky ones with perfect teeth and that is why I don't mind the dentist. No, I'm not. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I have horrible teeth. I've had a bazillion cavities. I've had five root canals. Yes, you read that correctly FIVE ROOT CANALS. I've even had oral surgery to fix the root of a tooth that had become disloged from the jaw after I was hit with a softball in the face. I know, ouch. (Bubs, I did not drop my glove. And even if I did you shouldn't have thrown so hard at my face. Its not nice to throw things at people's faces. But I forgive you and will only occasionally bring it up to garner sympathy.) The surgery did suck but it fixed the pain and the problem so it was actually a good thing.

So despite all of the bad things that have happened to me at the denitist's office, I still go twice a year.

And now its Bunny's turn. She had her second appointment today and I could not have been prouder of her. She was so good. She did not cry or complain once. Of course it probably helped that the dentist's office has TVs in each exam room and ours was turned to Nickelodeon so she could watch the Wonder Pets and Ni Hao Kai-Lan. I'm pretty sure she would put up with anything if she could watch those shows (I know it would have made some of my experiences a lot easier if I could have watched TV).

She sat in my lap while I was having my cleaning done. She would occasionally turn from the TV and look at what was going on. They made a point of showing her the instruments and telling her what they were doing to me. Then she'd grow bored and return to her show.

When it was her turn, she didn't even flinch. She just opened her mouth wide and let them do their thing. No fuss, no muss. And as a reward for her good behavior she got a Cinderella toothbrush and a chocolate cookie. That's right the dentist gives out cookies after the exam, perhaps to insure some return business. (I got a plain yellow toothbrush and a bottle of water. Somehow I feel like I got shortchanged in the deal.)

When we got home, she asked if we could brush her teeth after lunch because it was fun. And then she asked if she could have some gummi worms so I know she's still normal.