Open Wide!

Having reached the grand old age of three, it was time for Max to pay his first visit to the dentist. We were actually fortunate that we hadn't had to pay a visit to the dentist yet – a lot of preemies end up with discolored baby teeth and thin enamel, but Max teeth have always appeared to be normal. He was excited to "go for a ride, count teeth!" (I told him we were going to visit the dentist, so the dentist could count Max's teeth). He happily rode to the dentist's office, periodically practicing opening "really wide!" Of course, we got a few inches of snow on the day of his appointment, so the roads were a mess and the drive was slooooow.

We take the kids to a pediatric dentist, whose office boasts both a TV AND an old-fashioned Galaga/Ms. Pac-Man arcade game (no quarters or tokens required). Max was pretty much in heaven when he came into the waiting room to discover that "Finding Nemo" was playing and that he was allowed to push as many buttons on the arcade game as he wanted (he liked to make "pshew pshew" firing noises when pressing the fire button for Galaga – just like Mama!). When they called us back, Max happily hopped into the examination chair and checked out the Etch-a-Sketch that they had on hand. The hygienist got out all the examination tools and the cleaning implements (just in case he was cooperative enough to let them clean his teeth). He was doing great until they reclined the chair and tried to get him to lie back. Ever since Max broke his leg, he cries when he goes to the doctor's office and has to lie down on the exam table. I guess he thought the dentist's chair was a fancy version of the doctor's exam table (which, I suppose, it is), because he started howling as soon as we tilted him back.

He wasn't very happy about it, but he did let the hygienist and the dentist get a good look at his teeth. Happily, his teeth are nice and clean and healthy – we must be doing an adequate brushing job after all. His baby teeth are a little crowded in spots (especially his top middle incisors), so the dentist suggested I floss them a couple of times a week. His adult teeth may or may not have the same crowding problems – Max has a really high palate, probably as a result of his preemiehood and vent time, which may contribute to orthodontia problems down the road. So, I guess we should start the "braces for Max" saving fund now. ;)

After the brief examination, Max was cleared to go – we'll try to a proper cleaning next visit, when he's a little older. Max got to pick a toy out of the basket and went on his merry way. Of course, we hadn't been in the car more than ten minutes when he wanted to "go more ride, count teeth" again. I’m guessing he just wanted to go back and finish that game of Galaga. Like mother, like son! ;)