Growing up, I was fortunate to receive good dental care. What I mean by that, is that my parents encouraged teeth brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and took my siblings and me to the dentist twice a year for cleanings. The industry term for these checkups is prophylaxis.
I have seen what disadvantages, such as a lack of fluoridated water (found nowadays in city tap water), can do to someone. My parents, part of the baby boomer generation, grew up without many of these basic preventative treatments and have felt the consequences respectively.
Now it is Frugal Boy’s turn. The general recommendation is that everyone age three and older have regular cleanings. I wasn’t sure how well he would do, but there was only one way to find out. Shae scheduled an appointment for all three of us and in we went.
Shae was in the room with Frugal Boy, and I was in the room next door having my cleanup done. Frugal Boy was up first and was very nervous about laying down in the chair. He gave Shae a look of “Are you going to leave me here?”
They gave him a pair of sunglasses to help him relax and then the hygienist began cleaning his teeth with the normal tools. Frugal Boy did a great job and followed instructions very well. I enjoyed listening in from the other room and made some small talk with my hygienist. Apparently, little kids fall into two groups, those that do horrid, and those that do great. I was deeply relieved that Frugal Boy was doing great. At the end of the cleaning, the hygienist used a small brush to paint on fluoride varnish onto his teeth. I have to say, he lucked out. When I grew up, I always got the horrible fluoride trays.
The dentist came and counted his teeth, took his picture, and had him pick out a prize. Frugal Boy really enjoyed the experience and spent the rest of his day telling anyone that would listen.
If you know that the grandparents are coming and are going to load your kid(s) up with sugary food, then schedule the dentist visit for afterwards!
the day before