The dentist really isn't so bad...or is it?

In effort to get Adam prepared for his first trip to the dentist, I'd been telling him about what to expect, and spending even more time on teeth brushing in general, so he would get comfy with someone examining his mouth.

All of this preparation went out the window today, however, when we walked into the office and heard a child's screams coming from back in the exam area. Shortly after we checked in, the office staff was kind enough to close off the doors in effort to muffle the sound of this poor child clearly being tortured in the dentist chair. I did my best to keep Adam focused on the toys in the waiting room, and did a pretty good job.

Our appointment time was delayed a bit, due to the aforementioned patient being held hostage in his exam chair (who I later learned was just 5 years old and already in need of 3 tooth extractions). The staff was hoping that he would be finished sooner (obviously), but when it became apparent that that wasn't the case, they no doubt said a few silent prayers and called Adam back.

Now, it isn't unusual for him to be anxious in situations like these. He gets worked up going to the pediatrician's office, and when I took him to my OB appointments when pregnant with Miles, he would cry each and every time. I wasn't surprised when the waterworks started as soon as he started walking down the hall, as if being led to the inquisition. I "helped" him with the X-rays, and then had to hold his hands in his lap while the dentist (who, to her credit, was extremely kind and patient with him) "counted" his teeth.

It was over very quickly, but I can't blame Adam for being apprehensive throughout the procedures, especially given the unusually-tense circumstances. I have a feeling that the visit would have been less traumatic had this other patient not been a part of the picture. The staff apologized over and over, and really, it was just dumb luck that he was there when we were.

Thankfully, his teeth are healthy and no cavities - that's the best part! She did say that he had experienced some "trauma" in his top two front teeth (probably from a fall as a baby or something), resulting in the root not forming properly. If anything, these teeth will fall out sooner rather than later, and not with the help of adult teeth pushing them out. Not a big deal, unless you consider he may have a toothless grin for upwards of a year. Can you imagine?