Check Out Our Pearly Whites

We made our biannual trek to the dentist this past week and boy was I in for a surprise! Jared has always been amazing at the dentist - mouth open wide, letting them clean every nook and cranny, taking x-rays, even having a cavity filled - including a shot to numb his mouth! Liz, on the other hand, has only opened her mouth one time for them and they were able to clean 3 teeth before she said she was finished. Long story short, Liz has had 3 teeth cleaned TOTAL in our 4 or 5 visits to the dentist. Usually she sits with her mouth clamped tightly shut; it is always an experience!!!


I tried to talk to Liz about what would happen at the dentist for a few days before we went. We even went to the library and checked out books about going to the dentist. She was wavering and even considering letting them clean the bugs out of her teeth. Then the morning of our appointment she announced that she wasn't going to let them touch her teeth. Oh joy, here we go again!

On the way there I was trying to be sneaky - I asked Jared what flavors they offer when you get your teeth cleaned. He named about 6 flavors. I asked him if they tasted yummy. He said they were delicious! Liz was silent the entire ride there. I then asked Jared which flavor he was going to choose. He pondered (so many great choices) and finally decided on grape. We arrived, parked, and were unloading when Liz announced, "I'm going to pick cherry!"

They took us all back together and cleaned my teeth first with Jared and Lizzie sitting next to me. Liz must have asked me 6 or 7 times if it hurt. You would have thought I was getting a massage for how positive my answers were! She was very interested in everything that was being done. Then they came and took Jared for his check-up (thus the lack of Jared pictures - I was in the middle of my appointment!). Liz fluttered between the two chairs watching me and then watching Jared. Luckily our appointment time was 8 AM and we were the only patients for a long time!

My appointment ended and I walked over to see Jared finished and Liz being prepped. You can see the anxiety in her eyes.


And then the shocking part...Liz opened her mouth and let them clean her teeth! There was no cajoling, no begging, no bribery involved. She let them clean.


She let them floss.


She even let them fluoride!


It was my most enjoyable trip to the dentist in at least 2 years. I guess my baby girl is getting mature! Here's Liz at the end when she heard she was getting a new princess toothbrush. See, going to the dentist is a ton of fun! Well, let's not get crazy...