Ethan who is seven years old was great...calm as a cucumber and got through everything with flying colors. Our five year old, Preston, was a little hesitant at first, but when they let him watch his big brother, he settled down. Preston was a rock star from that point on and even garbled something about the watermelon flavored toothpaste tasting good. Theeeeeen it was Lauren Elizabeth's turn.
There really are no words for the description of what her three year old little self did. It was as though the depths of hell opened. This tiny child screamed and latched onto my arms and neck as though her life depended on it. We couldn't get her to peel off one tiny inch. They finally had to check her teeth between screams but we eventually got through it.
I always think at every appointment that it HAS to be better next time...to tell the truth, this time it actually was. At the last visit to the dentist, both Lauren AND Preston screamed their heads off until they almost made themselves throw up.
When today's appointment was over and Lauren calmed down, I asked her why she cried so much. Her big eyes looked up at me and she whimpered, "I was afwaid dey were going to give me shots in my mouf". -and there you have it. She's never actually had a shot in her mouth but for whatever reason, there we go.
In the mind of a three year old, the world of doctors and dentists can be a scary thing. I can't help but think that the only kids who were even more scared from today's visit though, were the ones sitting in the front lobby - waiting for their turn to go in next. You could see the whites of their eyes.