Dental Differences

There is nothing that better highlights the differences between your two kids like their very first appointment at the dentist.  We are fortunate to have found a lovely, family friendly dentist in Collingwood who offers “peek-a-boo” appointments for 3 year olds so they get familiar with the staff and the place and the whole process before embarking on their first official tooth cleaning.

When I took Toby to his peek-a-boo appointment three years ago he was still in his very shy and obedient stage.  He took the whole things VERY seriously.  He didn’t make eye contact with the hygienist.  I had to pick out his pair of sunglasses for him.   He sat in the chair stoically and solemnly, not even cracking a smile when she showed him the "tickle spray" or the "sucky thing".  In fact, he was SO well behaved that the hygienist and I decided- what the heck – why not just do his first teeth cleaning right there on the spot!   He certainly wasn’t going to kick up a fuss....  And he didn’t.  In fact, I had to check a few times to make sure he wasn’t asleep during the process.

We left the appointment and I couldn’t have been more proud of my boy.

And then there was Mia.

Mia awoke the morning of her Peek-a-book appointment and BOUNCED out of her crib and IMMEDIATELY demanded to put on her very best summer dress and her patent leather shoes. 

I will leave the rest of the differences for you to pick out from the below photograph.

Yes, those ARE leopard skin cat-eye sunglasses.  No, I did not have to pick them out for her.

Although the hygienist had fun with her quirky personality and Mia's "wiggly-giggly" approach to the dental chair, a different conclusion was drawn at the conclusion of her appointment.

“Um...Maybe we should just wait to clean those teeth of hers until she’s 4….”

I couldn’t have agreed more.  There was no way she could have kept still in that chair for another second.

But despite the differences, I left that appointment equally proud of my energetic-life-loving little girl.  

Now if only I could borrow bit of Toby's calmness and Mia's eagerness the next time I have to see the dentist...