- ellie goes to the dentist -

So my mom and I took Ellie to the dentist for the first time yesterday. There is a great practice that just opened a few months ago in our neighborhood. After looking at their website, and seeing that it was a husband and wife team who had two young boys, I knew they would know how to deal with a 17 month old. I, of course, requested the wife, since Ellie does not do well with men that she doesn't know. I'll be honest, I was prepared for the worst...because I know my little stinker, and she isn't always the most cooperative kid.

Is this where we are going Momma?

The office was gorgeous. State of the art...brand new...the waiting room had more to do than most daycares! Seriously! Ellie didn't want to leave the waiting room!

Momma, Fish!!

When we met the dentist, I knew I had picked the right office! She was so sweet, and so good with Ellie. Her and her assistant instantly got Ellie's approval, and she immediately started playing cute for them. The dentist talked to me for about 10 minutes or so, and apparently we are doing everything we should be doing for her teeth. I did tell her that Ellie still used a pacifier for naps and during the night, and she did encourage me to wean her from that soon...sigh...I knew that was going to come.

Then she said it was time for the examination...and I braced myself for a disaster. And you know what, Ellie did great!! The dentist took a minute or two to explain to Ellie what she was going to do, and she let Ellie play with a few of her instruments...

She had me do the entire examination with Ellie on my lap, which was perfect and set Ellie at ease. She told me they do exams like that until the child is at least 2 or 3, which is perfect for Ellie. She had me lay Ellie down and started looking at her teeth.

Ummm, Momma, what is she doing?

She counted all of her teeth (grand total of 10, with 4 more popping through right now...oh, that explains all the fussiness...I didn't realize 4 were popping through all at once!). Ellie didn't get her first tooth until really late (almost 12 months old), but the dentist said that with the 4 that were all coming through right now, she was going to be back right on track for her age. She did already notice crowding with the bottom 4 teeth, and told me that it was probably because she was such a petite girl with a petite mouth, just like her mom...sigh, and that means, more than likely needing braces! But honestly, I already expected that. Both the hubby and I needed braces, so we had already assumed Ellie would eventually need them. Other than that, she said Ellie's teeth looked great! Strong enamel, no decay, and perfectly clean! (Surprising, considering Ellie fights me every night when I try to brush her teeth). 

Ellie was rewarded with a stuffed animal and some stickers! (A stuffed animal? Seriously?? When I went to the dentist, I used to get a tiny cheap plastic Cracker Jack toy!!) The dentist then taught her how to do a fist bump (which she loved) and she gave both the dentist and the assistant a farewell kiss (so cute)!

All in all, a great first trip to the dentist!!

With all of her loot from her first trip to the dentist!