Cooper's First Trip to the Dentist

If you haven’t picked up on this already, “firsts” and “new experiences” and “changes” are all panic situations for Cooper. Even something as mundane as a new pair of shoes can instill such fear and anger into that little heart you would think someone stole his bike, ripped his lovey and ate his cupcake.

You can imagine my anxiety about our first dentist visit. My pediatrician has been on me for a year to take him in and I finally caved this morning. I figured that since he was almost 1 year by the time his first tooth broke through that I had a little pass.

Let me tell you, my stalling wasn’t without merit. It’s 8pm and I finally have the courage to document it.

We got there and things seemed pleasant enough. They were playing Monster’s Inc. in the waiting room which was also filled with video games and fish aquariums. First impressions were good.

They called us back and asked me to come with him since it was his first visit. On subsequent visits parents stay outside. I don’t think I will mind that next time.

We started off talking to the hygienist about Cooper’s brushing habits which included a discussion on his “dragon breath” and how we have to brush the dragons out every night. Not sure where we picked this up but it works for now!

Then, she started cleaning and Cooper started shaking, crying and flailing. He employed every tactic he knows of to get out of that chair. He tried to physically escape. He tried being polite yelling “No thank you! No thank you!” to the hygienist. He tried getting angry yelling “Stop it!” and “You’re hurting me!”. He tried holding his breath and successfully got a rise out of all of us when his lips turned blue. He almost threw-up when they put the thing in his mouth to hold it open. Ugh.

When it was all said and done, the dentist tried to give Cooper a new stuffed animal and toothbrush as a treat for getting his teeth clean. In the most defiant move that a three year old could muster, he took that stuffed animal and threw it right back at her. Point Cooper.

As you can see, he is very good at his craft. I’m not sure who is more traumatized, him or me!

The good news is that his teeth are in great shape with no cavities. At three years old he is still working on getting one of his molars in. Maybe I can attribute this all to teething?! Anyway, we will all live to fight off the dragons another day. Until next year, pediatric dentist!

Post-visit dentist approved treat.