This morning I took Elaina and Zach to the dentist. Zach was a great big-brother and hopped up in the chair to show Elaina how it's all done. However, Elaina was immediately concerned for Zach and kept motioning for him to get out of the chair. She did not like it when the hygienist tipped the chair back and she did not like her putting the instruments in Zach's mouth. Elaina cried and whimpered pointing at Zach. Zach looked at Elaina and said, "Elaina, look I'm OK!" Elaina paused for a moment and looked at him. Zach smiled at her and said in his sing-song voice, "Elaina I'm OK." That seemed to satisfy Elaina and she continued to watch the hygienist cleaning Zach's teeth and then take x-rays of his teeth.
Then it was Elaina's turn in the dentist chair.
Mommy and Elaina climbed into the chair. Elaina turned around and clung to me. She wanted nothing to do with this. Then Zach looked at Elaina and said, "It's fun Elaina! Open and say AHHH!" Elaina settled down and opened enough for the Hygienist to take a peek at her teeth. Her incisors and molars are both currently breaking the surface of her gums. So she's definitely experiencing some teeth pain. Poor girl!
The hygienist let Elaina pick out a tooth brush and she picked out a Tigger toothbrush. Elaina wanted to open it up immediately. Then she popped the toothbrush in her mouth and started moving it around and chewing on it. They hygienist laughed and said, "that's what we like to see! We can tell you are attempting to brush her teeth at home." Then she gave me tips to make it easier to brush her teeth. I don't know why I didn't think to give her a tooth brush to hold while I used another toothbrush to brush her teeth. But I'm going to give it a try and see. I have been using the method of Elaina tries then mommy tries and we swap back and forth. But that doesn't always go so smoothly. Elaina is rather independent.
Elaina was still 'brushing' away when the dentist popped his head in. He smiled and said hello to her. Elaina's bottom lip curled up and she started to whimper. She did tolerate the dentist looking at her teeth but she cried the entire time. However, when you cry your mouth is open so that was a bonus that the dentist could see her teeth.
Then she was "all done" and was all happy. Until she realized Zach had to hop up in the big dentist chair for his turn with the dentist. Again she protested Zach going in the chair. Silly girl! Then they were both ALL DONE and it was time to pick out toys.
Elaina and Zach were checking out all the toys in the bin trying to choose just one toy when Elaina lost her balance and fell to her butt then lost her balance again tipping backwards hitting her head on the floor. Tears flowed and her mouth was open in a cry but there was no sound. I swooped Elaina into my arms and cradled her at my shoulder. Asked Zach to pick two toys FAST one for him and one for Elaina and headed towards the lobby doors. We were almost through the lobby doors when the silent sobbing turned to LOUD THUMPING IN YOUR EARS SOBBING.
I decided I would make their next 6-month visit via phone as it was time for us to leave as the entire dentist office did not have to listen to her sobbing cries. The moment we walked out of the doors Elaina stopped crying and settled down quickly. Zach gave her the inflatable beach ball he picked out from the toy bin selections and she was all smiles and giggles. I still didn't turn around to make their 6-month appointments. I buckled them both into their car seats and we headed to daycare.
Elaina saw all her little friends playing outside and was very happy to be able to play on the playground with them her first dentist appointment now a distant memory.
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