Miss M goes to the dentist

I decided it was time Miss M went to the dentist. The pediatrician said waiting until 3 years old was reasonable and recommended the dental place across the hall which had also been recommended by some friends.  

I picked Miss M up from summer camp and we went to the city. First we fought a lot of traffic and asked/answered a lot of questions about traffic and why I was cursing everyone and everything in sight. We got a bit of lunch, ran to the store for a few items and then went to the dentist office. She didn't seem scared or upset. I was terrified. 

The dentist was amazing.  She was really good with making Miss M feel comfortable with the chair and with what she was going to do during her appointment. They also had a TV above her and a TV monitor on the ceiling where she could watch shows when she laid back. I will gladly pay for some Mickey Mouse to make the exam easier for everyone. 

The dentist initially started out by telling her what she was going to do and showed her all the tools and how they worked. The dentist used the tools on her hand/fingers and then on Miss M's to show her they wouldn't hurt. 

Here she's letting her touch the spinning brush that put the fluoride on her teeth.

Then it was time to lean the chair back and have Miss M lay back.  The dentist had Miss M touch her nose which magically made the chair recline. After the chair was reclined Miss M was adamant she was not laying down. She eventually saw Mickey Mouse on the TV monitor and caved in.

The dentist told her she was putting princess sparkles on her teeth and Miss M ate it up. She was worried when we got in the car that when she brushed her teeth the sparkles would be brushed away. I told her the new toothpaste we got would ensure new sparkles every time we use it. Let's see how long we can ride this out.

She had a look of terror on her face throughout the exam but she didn't cry or complain.  The dentist said her teeth looked well. I lied about how much juice she drinks and how much water she doesn't drink. We are apparently supposed to start flossing her teeth 3 or 4 times a week. I floss my teeth about 3 or 4 times a quarter so I am not sure there's much hope for Miss M unless she learns to do it herself.

At the end of the exam she pushed her nose again and the chair went back into it's original position. Miss M thought this was wonderful. She kept wanting to push her nose but we had to tell her the chair was resting b/c it's so busy all day.  The dentist then offered her stickers. She let the dentist pick her up and hold her to pick out stickers and she gave the dentist a hug and high-five before we left. It was like something out of another child.

It was worth the money and the time to get to and from the city. I am happy her first dental exam was a positive one since the dentist gives me a bit of anxiety.