Dr Johns

A couple weeks ago Eleanor had her first real cleaning at the dentist. Eleanor has beautiful little white teeth and has always let me do the brushing for her. At her cleaning the hygienist mentioned a soft spot between the teeth and suggested an x-ray. A few days later the receptionist called to let us know the dentist reviewed the x-rays and unfortunately Eleanor needed FIVE fillings. Oh my heart sank. I felt like I failed her. I did her brushing and all the cavities were between her teeth with only flossing could have prevented. I think I flossed her teeth only once in her life.

So we called a pediatric dentist who uses nitrous (laughing gas) for doing fillings. I wanted her as comfortable as possible. She did wonderfully well. She wasn't scared, she didn't hesitate. She went off with the hygienist and came back happy when she was done. Three cavities filled and an appointment to do the others in a couple weeks.

Polaroid of Dr Johns and Eleanor

So now I'm thinking, if Eleanor has 5 cavities, Carolyn must have a mouthful. She's my sucker loving candy hound who is stubborn and rarely let's me help brush her teeth. So when I'm flossing her teeth I see black spots - one especially black and huge. Great, now I'm a double bad mom! So I call the dentist and ask if Carolyn came come too.

A few days ago, Carolyn saw doctor Hudson for a checkup. She wasn't very cooperative so I'm expecting the same today at the dentist. I'm imagining the dentist and hygienist prying open her mouth which she kicks and screams. But the dentist is so friendly and asked her if she would like to pick out a new toothbrush. She doesn't hesitate and walks over to get a Jesse from Toy Story toothbrush and a handful of stickers. She sees the big blue dentist chair and starts climbing in without being asked. She gets her picture taken and a ride in the chair. He counts her teeth and stops at the dreaded black spotted tooth. Then says it's hard and if it were a cavity it would be soft. It's just a stain and he was able to scrape most of it off. So she's cavity free!

Polaroid of Dr Johns with Carolyn

And while Carolyn was getting checked out, Eleanor scooted off to the other room, a veteran now, and had her other teeth filled. So she's cavity free as well! Shew! Now let's get flossing and throw out those darn suckers.