What Doesn't Make Sense / Trip To The Dentist

I took Mac and Allison to the dentist this morning.  It had been a few years since I brought Mac in, but I wasn't worried, he brushes his teeth and even squishes with flouride rinse.  It was Ally's first time and she wore a dress she was so excited.  They got called and went in (they don't let parents back there), and I happily sat in the waiting room reading interior design magazines while other moms screamed at their little ones to "stop that right now!"; I thought to myself how happy I was that my kids were finally not toddlers anymore  and how I preferred the civiziled type of child who could get up, dress themselves and brush their own teeth.

My little bubble of happiness was completely burst during the post exam meeting with the dentist!  Each of my kids had 6 cavities - thats 12 total cavities!  What the heck?!?  I thought we brushed!  Apparently, not enough.  The dentist showed me x-rays and plans for filling the cavities.  Bottom line:  Its going to cost about $2,500.00 - Thats about the cost of a 4 day Carnival Cruise out of Tampa, or several treatments of Botox, or more patterned paper than I could ever dream of.  But it was a no-brainer, even though we don't have dental insurance, I'm going to pay to get those teeth fixed.  But I am determined not to let this happen again!

So on the ride from the dentists office I say to the kids. 

"I want to have a serious talk.  You each had 6 cavities, thats a lot of cavities.  You are both going to have to go back to get your teeth filled and let me tell you, that is not a pleasant thing.  They are probably going to give you shots - in your mouth!"

(I glance back in the rear view mirror to see two children sitting up very straight in their booster seats with serious faced and eyes bugging out of their heads.)

I continue:  "From now on, you are going to brush your teeth first thing when you get up, after breakfast, when you get home from school, and last thing before you go to bed so you don't get anymore cavities.  Does that make sense?"

The both nod their heads up and down and say yes.

A minute goes by in silence (I let them think about all this serious tooth decay stuff).

Then Allison says:

"But do you know what does NOT make sense?"

"What?"

Allison answers:  "It does NOT make sense that people give candy to kids so their teeth rot out of their heads and they get cavities, that does not make sense at all."

Mac nods and adds "I'm not going to Halloween this year."

Here's to hoping that the Great Pumpkin will be giving out toothbrushes this year.

Comments

[TracyBzz]

Last summer I took my girls to the dentist (not just the assistant at the health unit). And my 7 yo had 5 or 6 and my 5 year old had 2 -- both of them had them between thier teeth. Um, yeah, we brush but don't floss. I guess becuase I don't floss and don't have any cavities I never thought of it. We have dental coverage but it stopped covering a percentage on my oldest last few teeth.
The other thing they told me is that I should be helping them with their teeth once a day still.

[los angeles cosmetic dentist]

For me brushes our teeth or even squishes with flouride rinse is not enough,we really have to consult to our dentist.

by: florence