One of the things about having kids that can be a real pain in the backside is getting them to brush their teeth properly. With the teenagers I am constantly asking them in the mornings if they have brushed and more times than not they will say yes. And with further investigation (very carefully of course, protecting my new found smell detector being fixed from surgery last month) I do inspect! Teeth are expensive to fix and PAINFUL if not taken care of. The little boys I will do the initial brushing to ensure proper cleaning, and then let them take over just for the sake of learning how to brush.
I always warn the kids that they will have cavities and being that there are hereditary diseases they need to make sure not to slack off. Brush now or pay later! I also scheduled ALL FOUR at the same time because, in all honesty, I DO NOT wish to go multiple times, I just don't have a schedule that allows me to do so. However, I do like the dentist, and their kid friendly play room and open exam chairs.
So, we arrive and kids are happy and content in the play room. Many toys keep them occupied while mom fills out the file folder the size of dictionary of paper work for each of them. Side note** I usually also have a backpack packed with so many things to TRY to keep the kids occupied in case we are not in a kid friendly area. Includes, drinks, snacks, books, toys, colors, extra diapers, and extra shorts (just in case -you never know, and you shouldn't ask LOL).
We didn't wait long at all which was A to the W to the E-SOME! The staff is extremely friendly, and they not only accommodate for every possible need (not to mention the big screen tv along with benches so you can be in ear/eye shot of your child while they are getting their teeth x-rayed, cleaned and counselled. I should have taken more photo's, but, I was too busy. Ha!
Gabe found the dino's quite fascinating!
Ok, so don't ask, I don't even know. Maybe he was pretending to be a super hero and had laser eyes for a moment???! LOL
Jeremy was waiting patiently, and even got down on the floor to play with the boys. Good biggest brother!
This would have to be my favorite shot! And NO it's not photo shopped at all! GO ME!
Now Jeremy is getting a little crazy! I think I took a few shots to try to get Brandy and he kept jumping in the way. With the auto delay on the iphone camera, I just COULDN'T get one and so I gave up! LOL
Kien was such a trooper! He didn't give any resistance what so ever, and even showed the dental assistant how we practiced "open wide" on the way there. Preparation is they key people!
Here is Brandy waiting patiently for her x-ray results.The assistant asked Brandy if she had ever had braces because her teeth were nice and straight as if she did. Brandy told her no, but wished she did because she thought it would be, "cool" to have them. Yeah, NO! The grass is not always greener on the other side my child!
Jeremy didn't want his photo taken, for whatever reason, I don't know. He is usually camera ready and interfering! Haha!
Kien was being a great example for his little brother. Gabe did well, but I went and sat with him just in case, therefore not being able to take a photo of him. I think he was ok with it.
Their exam gloves taste like cherries and they get to choose their own flavored toothpaste/fluoride to have their teeth cleaned with. Kien chose strawberry. Then all of them received their own special toothbrush and floss, compliments from the brands who donated them for advertising purposes- and toy.
After all was done, which only took about an hour YIPEEEEEE (a mother's dream doctor/dentist visit for four kids) the report is as follows.
Brandy- no cavities and perfectly straight teeth.
Jeremy- one tooth needs a filling (which was scheduled on the following Monday) and has perfectly straight teeth.
Kien -was suggested to have his front teeth capped which included anesthesia due to his front four teeth having very little enamel and cavities. I did ask the dentist if there would be anyway that we could possibly wait until the next 6 month visit to reconsider the surgery because he is so close to losing those teeth in the next year. She agreed, and said that if we brush with fluoride toothpaste and floss them twice a day, there may not be any further issues to worry about with his permanent teeth and if he doesn't complain of pain. The dentist also confirmed that his front teeth issues were in fact stemmed from the diet of his first year being restricted to poor formula and Congee -which is a rice porridge- until he was 1 year while in the orphanage. Karin was able to help him make a transition over to baby food when she officially received him. He was on a special type of formula, soy milk and much more solids shortly after he came to be with us. With all that said, we are going to wait 6 months, and if the xray proves to the teeth deteriorating we will have his teeth capped to help from the cavities reaching the nerves and to help preserve his permanent teeth.
Gabriel was too little for a cleaning, but they did check his teeth and the dentist said they look like they are coming in very straight and no evidence of cavities.
AHHHHHHH--- overall, a GREAT experience!
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4 comments:
SUCH a great mom to these children of yours! They are very fortunate to have you teach and care for them in these ways. Yay, Cathi
Thank you Esther. I consider myself blessed to have each one of these precious souls as my children, and although there are trying days, I wouldn't change anything about any one of them at all. Love them so much!
Oh, my.... I am sooo sad about Kien's teeth!!!! He was on breast milk from fabulous Noelle after coming home! He didn't begin the soy formula until months later after the breast milk was depleted. I hope and pray his permanent teeth will be OK!!! Are his cavities visible? Were you aware he had them?
Honestly, there was nothing anyone could do, even with the breast milk and special formula. A child's teeth are actually formed in the womb and it is important for the mother to eat properly and take vitamins to help assist with the healthy development. That we know was the not the case, and better yet, not for the first year nutritionally speaking. However, the dentist is confident that the permanent teeth will be fine once the baby teeth are gone, based on his other teeth that have come through just fine, but they cannot guarantee this because the permanent teeth are formed also in the womb and may have issues later on. That is why we are brushing/flossing and rinsing every day!
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