I like teeth. Despite the wine and coffee build up between cleanings, mine aren't bad. They are a little horse-ish in that greenery tends to get stuck. If I avoid spinach dip in public, it isn't too big of a problem. My good friends and family aren't shy about making a "neigh neigh" here or a "neigh neigh" there when there is something offensive caught in my incisors.
I went through a period of time in which I was called snaggle tooth, but after a few years of social isolation during middle school orthodontia, I came out alright on the other end. Sophie recently endured the trauma herself, but it didn't seem to phase her. Fortunately, she was never prescribed head gear.
Overall, the whole dental experience is so much better for my children than it ever was for me growing up. I have enjoyed a long and solid relationship with my dentist, but he doesn't t have 101 flavors of fluoride, a two story toy room, and roving magician.
When Sophie was born, there wasn’t a pediatric dentist on every corner either. I naturally brought her to my dentist. Sophie was a compliant child and followed directions well so there were never any issues.
Like so many decisions I made about Maren during her early years, I picked a pediatric dentist because I thought my dentist might hurt her when, not if, she bit him. Not really, my dentist is a great guy that I have trusted for over 30 years. I'm sure he had a straight jacket. I just didn’t want Maren to get me 86’d from his office.
I have had the longest relationship with my dentist than any other health care professional in my life. I have seen many a hygienist come and go and followed him to 3 offices. When I moved 40 minutes away, I still drove to see him every 6 months or more depending on the state of my aging teeth.
Last week, the pediatric dentist pissed me off. I know the place is a machine. It is designed to get children in and out as quickly as possible. Ours often overbook appointments if the off chance everyone actually shows up. Thankfully I was home sick, because I was irritated by proxy. After Craig had waited with the kids for an hour in the lobby after their appointment start time, he left.
They did call and apologize a few hours later, but now I need to decide if they are ready to graduate to my dentist (I'm so possesive), find another pediatric dentist, or give the original machine another shot?
Where do your kids go, regular or pediatric dentist?
I take mine to a ped dentist, and I am not crazy about her or the office itself, but he is only 4. Once he is a bit older I will switch him over to mine.
Posted by: The Sweetest | 12/12/2011 at 09:35 PM
Pediatric dentist. I also LOVE teeth. It's one of the 1st things I notice about a person. That horse picture though? Nasty ass teeth.
Posted by: Rachel | 12/12/2011 at 09:55 PM
My mom took me to her dentist when I was little. Her name was Lily and I loved her! Every time we drove by the dentist's office I would shout "I want to go!"
Posted by: Sarcasm Goddess | 12/12/2011 at 10:26 PM
Regular dentist. I tried a pediatric one when we lived in Savannah. They were assholes. It was a factory, overbooked, questionable practices, overcharging.
If you like your guy, go with your guy. I take all 4 of my monsters to my dentist (who I love) and he doesn't hate me yet.
Posted by: Bridget | 12/12/2011 at 10:28 PM
Pediatric dentist. They are geniuses at distraction. Sorry to say ours lacks a roving magician, but the movies on the ceiling really help my son not care about sharp objects in his mouth. He is going to have to get used to that because both my husband and I had braces as kids. Ah well. Genetics.
Posted by: MamaSayMamaSo | 12/12/2011 at 10:45 PM
Funny you should have this topic today ... I have to address this very issue today.
We move a lot and each time we have to find a new dentist. This time we have a gem ... this gem just told us that almost all ped dentists do NOT have real hygienists ... they use dental assistants. So after confirming that, we are switching our kiddos to our gem. Hopefully, it goes well ... the kids seem excited to be finally going to a "big persons" dentist
Posted by: Merri Ann | 12/13/2011 at 04:31 AM
I never even thought about that, but that makes total sense. There are far too many and I always thought they were kind of young. I mean really young. I am going to ask. Thanks so much for sharing that info.
Posted by: Poppy | 12/13/2011 at 05:59 AM
My oldest just got out of braces as we knew she would have to have them. My younger two have a 50/50 shot at decent teeth. I'm hoping one of them don't have to endure the torture. At least my checking account is! I think my son could handle a regular dentist, but still not positive about my daughter. Thanks for the input :)
Posted by: Poppy | 12/13/2011 at 06:02 AM
I totally feel that it is a factory, but once they get it it's great. As my mom pointed out, I better watch and make sure they didn't charge our insurance for the appointment we walked out when they were an hour late.
Posted by: Poppy | 12/13/2011 at 06:03 AM
A dentist you get to call by her first name. That is FUN for a kid. I grew up a long long long time ago, that option wasn't available :)
Posted by: Poppy | 12/13/2011 at 06:04 AM
My youngest is 4 too and has never been to a regular dentist. None of my kids have ever had any dental problems so it's usually easy visit then they get to pick 3 toys from the huge toy room. Overkill I think because I really don't want that crap in my house.
Posted by: Poppy | 12/13/2011 at 06:08 AM
Ohhh - good tip on the dental assistants! I'm gonna check that out at my pediatric dentist's office, which we love btw - both of my kids wanted to be dentists because of the wonderful people there. Bummer that you got the factory. I say ditch 'em.
Posted by: Lori Dyan | 12/13/2011 at 06:57 AM
We all go to a regular dentist, though there's a carousel and loot bags and a train there. If we lived where I grew up I would bring them to "my dentist".
I should say we always ask to see the girl dentist, the guy that owns the office is a bit...uhm...sleezy.
My 2 cents, if they pissed you off and you have another option you trust, move.
Posted by: Kristin | 12/13/2011 at 08:43 AM
I love your 2 cents and I am moving for sure. Just trying to decide if I should take to my dentist or find another kid dentist. Leaning towards my dentist.
Posted by: Poppy | 12/13/2011 at 08:57 AM
Take them to your dentist, the one you've trusted for so many years. I've never had a cavity. When I had to change dentists when I lived in Tulsa, and in Folsom, both of these geezers told me I needed fillings AND that I should get my wisdom teeth pulled; just cause. I didn't and then next dentist said I had NO cavities and my wisdom teeth were just fine. So I'm all about going to someone who isn't just trying to make a buck off of you. Go with trust. Bring your own toys.
Posted by: Lindyez | 12/13/2011 at 09:16 AM
I'd take my kiddos to my trusted dentist. Especially after reading the peds dentist doesn't use real hygienists. WTF?
Posted by: Julie | 12/13/2011 at 11:39 AM
I don't care if you are the pope..if you are a dentist I hate you.
Seriously.
I have a phobia of dentists. Probably because the one that I had when I was a kid hacked away at my teeth. He pulled out 4 of them and I swear that he didn't numb my gums. Jerk.
My kid will be going soon. But I don't think we have any peds dentist in our area. Go Canada...still living in the stone ages.
Posted by: Kimberly | 12/13/2011 at 11:43 AM
I heard that if you don't take your kids to the right dentist, that they'll grow up listening to Rihanna.
Posted by: Alexandra | 12/13/2011 at 11:45 AM
Noah has a pediatric dentist who is awesome, but if I had to change him to my dentist of over 30 years I wouldn't hesitate. I also wouldn't hesitate to switch him up if I wasn't happy with the service - and I have in the past. Now if only I could find an actual PEDIATRICIAN to see him that would be FANTASTIC (thanks California). Next year. Everything will change next year and he'll be on my insurance(s) and I will be poor but he'll have his pediatrician back. Wow. I think I just blog posted.
Posted by: Kim Pugliano | 12/13/2011 at 12:00 PM
I went to a pediatric dentist once when I was 4. It was horrible. Since then, I've gone to my parent's dentist who is the awesomest guy ever. I've been going there for over 20 years now.
Weird little tidbit about me.
Posted by: KLZ | 12/13/2011 at 01:19 PM
Gosh. I'm no help.
(Then why don't I just shut it, right?)
No kids here...but my whole life I have bounced from dentist to dentist.
My sister has been bringing my nieces to her dentist for lots of years now and they're 11 & 12. They really like him and always have.
My sister likes him though because he sedates her.
Wuss.
Posted by: Carrie | 12/13/2011 at 05:42 PM
I left my regular dentist over 10 years ago. He was an alcoholic - he left gauze in the hole of my pulled tooth and went on vacation. Sorry to hear about the one hour wait, but in NYC, a 1 hr wait's a jiffy.
Posted by: Nami | 12/13/2011 at 06:23 PM
I thought everything was faster in NYC, I must have my novels mixed up! Dude - pulled teeth and vacation? Hope a big plant named Audrey 2 ate him.
Posted by: Poppy | 12/13/2011 at 08:36 PM
I'd like a dentist that used sedation. Not because I needed it, but it would require that someone would HAVE to watch my brats for at least a couple of hours.
Posted by: Poppy | 12/13/2011 at 08:37 PM
This story reminds me you are an entire generation younger than I am. I still love your random tidbits.
Posted by: Poppy | 12/13/2011 at 08:39 PM
Ha! Ya - Pediatricians are tougher to come by. I'm familiar with your pediatrician debacle. Only a few more weeks, right?
Posted by: Poppy | 12/13/2011 at 08:40 PM
I think I now know the real reason Erin Domareki and I are so divided in our teen mall allegiances. Rock on, Tiffany, rock on.
(Yours was the best comment of the day. Hell, the week.)
Posted by: Poppy | 12/13/2011 at 08:45 PM
Just pull out some of your pharmaceuticals. For you, not Chunky. They should be good for something.
Posted by: Poppy | 12/13/2011 at 08:46 PM
Totally leaning that way. I was thinking about finding another peds, but might as well keep there records in one place! Besides, it takes FOREVER to pick out toys from the 2 story toy room.
Posted by: Poppy | 12/13/2011 at 08:47 PM
I feel like I responded to this in my head so if this is a duplicate, I'm sorry. I really liked this advice. That's all. :) I'm not drunk either.
Posted by: Poppy | 12/13/2011 at 09:04 PM
I have great teeth and I love going to the dentist. Always have. In fact, I have an appointment on Monday. I've been to the same dude for 10+ years. He's a big flirt. Which might be why I like going to see him. :)
Lucas should start going (or so I've been told by my ped.) at the age of 3. Six months. His teeth are gorgeous (if I do say so myself) and we brush them without too much fight twice a day.
Posted by: Tonya | 12/13/2011 at 09:27 PM
My boys go to a pedi clinic because my own guy wouldn't take them. He knew that the older kid would be more comfy in a kid friendly zone. And he was right. But I've seen many that are like chains - basically a revolving door and maybe the kid will get some toothpaste on the way out. Ours is small & family owned, and the boys aren't afraid.
ps you have a lovely smile. the headgear did ya well.
Posted by: MommaKiss | 12/14/2011 at 12:31 PM
And nobody asked me for a blow job until like college.
Posted by: Poppy | 12/14/2011 at 12:45 PM
The girl has always gone to a regular dentist. She's been fine.
I miss my old dentist. She was awesome - I'd still be seeing her except - why don't I? I should call her.
Anyway, yeah, move on. Fucking around waiting for dentists is bullshit.
Posted by: Suniverse | 12/14/2011 at 04:45 PM
I hope you and your dentist get back together. As long as she didn't sleep with your husband or anything. Assuming your life isn't General Hospital, that probably didn't happen. I hope you don't need a root canal.
Posted by: Poppy | 12/14/2011 at 09:37 PM