First Dental Checkup

Some of my friends start taking their kids to the dentist from as young as 2+ years old. And when they did, the kids already had cavities.

My friend, whose daughter is at Bryan’s age have had cavities many times. She told me to take Bryan to the dentist ASAP because cavities develop very quickly, and we should take the kids for regular dental checkup.

I had delayed taking Bryan to the dentist because
1. I check his teeth very frequently, and I don’t see any spots.
2. He never complains about toothache.
3. I did not want to scare him by taking him to the dentist too early.

But my fren said that by the time I see spots or when he starts complaining of toothache, it is too late. Yet, I procrastinated.

Until a few weeks ago, i found a very faint brown dot on his two lower incisor. *Panic* I quickly make an appointment with my dentist for Bryan’s checkup.

The dentist is quite popular and I could not secure any slots until today. Luckily I was able to book a slot that is within my lunch time. I took the kids out from daycare after their early lunch. Yeah, I took Dylan along. No harm to let the Dr have a look as well.

Neither kids were nervous about the dentist visit. Since a few days ago, i had been brainwashing Bryan about the dental visit.

Mommy: Bryan, mommy take you to the teeth dr. Dr will just check check to see if there are any chong-chong. If got, Dr will put medicine on the chong-chong so that the chong-chong die. If we don’t put medicine on it, later the chong-chong eat your teeth.
Bryan: Chong-chong eat my teeth, then I got no teeth issit?
Mommy: Yes, no teeth. Then cannot eat “sia ping” (prawn cracker), cannot eat ice-cream, cannot eat McD.
Bryan: No teeth like xxx? (a girl at his day care)
Mommy: Yes like xxx (I had no idea if she has missing teeth )

We had to wait a while when we got to the dentist’s office. So I took the opportunity to talk to the boys about opening their mouth wide wide for dr to check their teeth. There are also photos of dentist in action, so I showed them that this is what the dentist will do for them later.

When we got in, Bryan was very calm. He greeted the dr “hello” and then proceed to sit on the dentist’s chair.

The dentist told him that he will just count his teeth. The whole procedure takes less than 1 minute. And the dentist told me that his teeth are in perfect condition. And very good dental hygiene. *Yay*

The light brown mark on his teeth is just a small pit. It is not decay. It could have been there from day 1. Besides, he told me that the bottom incisors will fall out when he is about 6, and the top incisors 6 months later.

As soon as Bryan got down from the chair, Dylan was anxious to get on. He kept saying, “My turn, my turn”

The chair is pretty big for Dylan, so the dentist asked either hubby or me to let Dylan sit on our lap instead. So I sat on the chair, and let Dylan lay on top of me.

Dylan cleverly opens his mouth, and let the Dr “count” his teeth.. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8. Just like his brother, his teeth are in perfect condition, and very clean too.. *yay yay* I learned that there are 4 baby molars that have yet to come out. One on each side. Arghh…hope they don’t cause any problem when they come out.

Since I was there, I took the opportunity to ask some questions to the dr.

Q: Bryan fell on his teeth a few months ago. It resulted one of the top incisor to be slightly crooked now. Will there be any long term side effects?
A: If he had a fall when he was about 4, there should not be any damage to his permanent teeth as the teeth would have been in place. But if he fell on the teeth when he was 2 or 3 years old, when the permanent teeth is still not fully grown, the impact could rock the permanent teeth out of its place. And when it finally comes out, it will be crooked. For Bryan’s case, the most there may be a mark on the permanent teeth caused by the impact, but he thinks the teeth should be fine.
=> It shows just how important it is to make sure that their baby teeth are healthy to ensure a flawless smile later.

Dr also asked me if any of them are on the pacifier. I proudly said “No.” In fact, they were never on the pacifier. I asked him why.

He told me that kids who suck the pacifier to sleep tend to have weaker upper incisor caused by dryness. The worst are those who take the milk bottle to sleep. The combination of sugar in the formula and dryness due to continual sucking will cause some of the kids’ teeth to be gone by the time they were 3, if they did not receive prompt dental treatment.

I had wanted to ask if bfg to sleep is ok bo, but I didn’t because I remember that their PD told me before that bm will help protect the teeth due to the antibacterial qualities. That’s why bf children tend to have healthier teeth. Good…because lil Dylan still bf before bed and when he wakes up in the middle of the night.

I am so glad that both kids’ first dental experience had been pleasant. And the checkup is free too! I didn’t even have to pay any admin/ registration fees. Hahaha..I should have taken them there earlier.