I took three of the four boys to the dentist a couple weeks ago. Trips to the dentist can be a challenge for any of the kids. We never know what to expect with Daniel.
I am usually prepared for the worst. Most of the time that comes from Josh and Aaron. They are both at the age where brushing teeth is not something they remember and when they do, the efforts are minimal. To make matters worse, Josh has braces. Our last orthodontist trip ended with me having a visit with the hygienist because he was not brushing well. The dentist visit ended with a similar scolding.
Super D is the wild card. So far he has done very well, aside from trying to bite fingers when she was attempting to get the x-rays. We managed to get pictures of the front teeth, but the backs were not happening. I don’t blame him, having that sensor shoved into the back of your throat is not fun for anyone.
Well, I take that back. I ran into a friend there with her two girls. The youngest was so excited to tell me how she was going to get x-rays!
Dental hygiene is another challenging area for Daniel. I’ll admit, he often only gets his teeth brushed once a week. We ended up buying him some DenTrust three sided toothbrushes. These are wonderful things for children with oral sensory issues. Daniel will still bite down on them, but we can usually get all the teeth brushed. The three sided design means one pass covers every surface.
He does better each time we go. This visit, he allowed them to brush his teeth and floss them. Letting the dentist examine his teeth was not as popular. The best part, listening to him giggle as the toothbrush tickled his gums.
The dentist asked if he had oral sensory issues. I expected her to tell me he had broken or chipped a tooth. Fortunately, this was not the case. She told me the oral sensory seeking actually helps keep his teeth healthy. The constant chewing and saliva clean plaque off the teeth and wash it away. Hopefully he continues to be blessed with good teeth.
The next checkup, Baby B gets his teeth check too. He loves to imitate Super D. Hopefully he will follow in Daniel’s footsteps when it comes to dental visits.
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. – Psalm 8:2
Life With Super D! 