Ella got her first fillings at the dentist last week. She came to us with what I thought were at least two cavities, maybe more, and there was nothing I could do about them until recently. I dreaded the whole dental experience. So I brought her with me to our dentist and let her see the office, meet the dentist and get the feel for the place. After several visits she refused to sit in the chair. When it came time to book a real appointment I realized that I didn't have full confidence in my dentist to work on Ella. I really like my dentist but she is often distracted during appointments, taking phone calls in the middle of cleaning my teeth.
I was thankful when I got a glowing recommendation from a friend of mine for another dentist who had done some work on one of her kids. So I took Ella in to the new dentist's office to make the appointment so she could see it and get familiar before her actual appointment. We went back a week later and I had very low expectations. I talked to Ella about it all week leading up to it and only encouraged her to sit in the chair, open her mouth and let the dentist look inside. I gauged her readiness by her response to this. She was very positive (and super-cute practicing what she would do when the dentist asked her to open up) and seemed eager to give it a try. I was nervous.
On our first visit she totally blew me away. Not only did she do what she agreed to do, she actually sat there and let the dentist give her a good teeth cleaning. I was able to sit with her in the chair, and while she was a bit nervous at first when it came time to lean back in the chair, she did so with encouragement from me and the dentist who was super matter-of-fact, kind, patient and all-around disarming. He was perfect. Thank God there were only two cavities. He said he could go ahead and do one of the fillings that day but I decided we shouldn't push it.
We came back a week later and she had her two cavities drilled out without any anesthesia and two fillings put in without even a twinge of pain. I sat with her in the chair again and held her hands the whole time - not because she wanted that, but because I did - and I noticed that her hands and the rest of her body were so relaxed the entire time. She was SO CUTE sitting there with her mouth open, body relaxed, tongue fishing around, and alternately turning her eyes to look at the dentist, then the assistant, then the dentist, etc. This was like NO BIG DEAL for her whatsoever.
It appears that I have underestimated her.
I was thankful when I got a glowing recommendation from a friend of mine for another dentist who had done some work on one of her kids. So I took Ella in to the new dentist's office to make the appointment so she could see it and get familiar before her actual appointment. We went back a week later and I had very low expectations. I talked to Ella about it all week leading up to it and only encouraged her to sit in the chair, open her mouth and let the dentist look inside. I gauged her readiness by her response to this. She was very positive (and super-cute practicing what she would do when the dentist asked her to open up) and seemed eager to give it a try. I was nervous.
On our first visit she totally blew me away. Not only did she do what she agreed to do, she actually sat there and let the dentist give her a good teeth cleaning. I was able to sit with her in the chair, and while she was a bit nervous at first when it came time to lean back in the chair, she did so with encouragement from me and the dentist who was super matter-of-fact, kind, patient and all-around disarming. He was perfect. Thank God there were only two cavities. He said he could go ahead and do one of the fillings that day but I decided we shouldn't push it.
We came back a week later and she had her two cavities drilled out without any anesthesia and two fillings put in without even a twinge of pain. I sat with her in the chair again and held her hands the whole time - not because she wanted that, but because I did - and I noticed that her hands and the rest of her body were so relaxed the entire time. She was SO CUTE sitting there with her mouth open, body relaxed, tongue fishing around, and alternately turning her eyes to look at the dentist, then the assistant, then the dentist, etc. This was like NO BIG DEAL for her whatsoever.
It appears that I have underestimated her.
6 comments:
Yay Ella! Koen has his first appointment on Monday and like you said, my expectations are low:)
Well, we know she is a brave one!! So very proud of sweet Ella. And her mommy. Good job Jen.
Thirty Eight Days!! till we see you in Tampa!
Beautiful, brave girl!
OMG! Brave girl. I get soooo scared and sad for Connor when he gets his immunizations, I can't imagine fillings!! GOOO mommy!
Way to go Ella!! You are one tough cookie!
Way to go Ella!! We have the same experience with our girls. I do believe these little Filipinas are made of tough stock :o)!!
Blessings!
Deborah
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