Natalya's first dentist appt

Today Natalya had her first dentist's appointment. She was such a big girl! I couldn't believe how well she did. The dentist's office is a pediatric dentist, and N has never been to the dentist before, but we prepped her several weeks ago talking about going to the dentist and how much fun it was, and how exciting, and how the dentist would make her teeth pretty and shiny. She was really looking forward to "going to the dentist and saying 'ahhh" :)

The way the office works is the first visit, you can go back with your child, but after that, they want to take them back on their own, to build a relationship with them. So I was allowed to go back with her. She was very nervous, as always, but she didn't need me there. :) The office is completely designed for children. TV's on the ceilings above the chairs, video games and toys in the waiting room, the bathroom even has a kid's size toilet (complete with an automatic flusher just like the big one) along with a regular sized one, and a kid-height sink along with a regular height sink. (she was so impressed by this, after her first visit to the bathroom, she kept saying she had to go so she could go back in there and sit on the little potty.

So the dental assistants were all very trained in kid-friendly techniques and N did awesome. They started out asking her what she wanted to watch on tv (Alvin and the Chpmunks) and then she got to pick her polish flavor (bubble-gum) and her flouride flavor (orange). The asst. showed her how to brush her teeth (while she held a mirror to watch) and then how to floss. Then she put headphones on her (for the movie) and polshed her teeth. She did great. She opened wide, closed her lips when it was time to drain the water out and did everything they said. When the dentist came in, she said that her teeth looked great. Said that the way her bite is (like Doug's), indicates crowding when her permanent teeth come in, so there are more than likely braces in her future (not a terrible surprise since Doug and I both had braces). Not a concern now, but somethign to watch out for as she gets older.

She has an appointment in 6 months for a checkup. She got a balloon and a 'kids-eat-free' coupon for O'Charley's for having no caivities. :)

I can't believe how big she is!!