high fives for fun

[gfrancie]

As one knows, I am a bad Mother. For my son ended up with THREE cavities in his teeth. I will wear proudly wear my badge. Maybe I can wear it at a jaunty angle to show how much it bothers me.
His appointment was at eight this morning. On the East side. I was the one to take him. Everything about this is horrible. This meant getting up early in the darkly dark, driving on the horrid freeway in the wet darkly dark with all the other miserable people and going to the East side. People drive like the angriest assholes on 405 which always makes me nervous. AND I had to take my son to the dentist and watch them do things to him. I have made great strides in my dental phobia/anxiety but this was pretty shitty. I had to sit there and watch it all because I am a masochist. He was so very good and did a fantastic job having that filling put in. I had a panic attack but I was polite and kept it all inside while I felt like I was drowning and having a heart attack. I should point out that I did not eat breakfast before taking him because to put it plainly, my body's reaction to anxiety is to immediately need to use the bathroom. It just seemed wise to not give my body anymore things to worry about.
Hungry and a panic attack. It keeps those arteries velvet. They took care of the worst cavity and we get to come back for the next two Thursdays at eight motherfucking am. (I am handing off the next appointment to Mr. Jenner because I would rather poke myself in the eye with a reindeer antler than do that just before Christmas.)
I took surface streets back to 520 because I knew that the traffic would increase in its awfulness and wanted to avoid much of the parking lot that is the morning commute.
I came home and had eggs and toast. And a smug kale shake because kale is a thing.

As for Senor Onion, he is kind of freaked by the numb face. He really can't eat anything. I offered him some straight hummus and well that was a failure in getting food. He screamed that he wanted to kill his face. I feel ya kid. So he is lying under an afghan on the sofa, watching Sid the Science Kid and his spectrum disorder pals. The kid looks so sad. I suspect there will be eggs and mashed potatoes in his future.

Comments

[jessiesquash.livejournal.com]

Aww poor Senior Onion and poor you! Dentist offices are evil. :(

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

They are. Hee.
My son has a different dentist from me and everyone seemed rather nice. But still, not a party.

[cusackam.livejournal.com]

I am a bad mom too, Aidan had 3 cavities when he was 5 also and so did Connor. The good news is they have had NONE since then but it still sucks. I started taking Ian in with them this year to hopefully avoid the "oh hey you turned 5 here are your cavities!"

Hope he feels better!

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

All right, I can start a club.
I hope Ian escapes.

[rebeccmeister.livejournal.com]

That really, really sucks. Poor kiddo. Did the dentist have any insights into things you could do to prevent future trauma/cavities, or is this mostly a matter of losing the genetics lottery?

Here's an embarrassing confession - my mom just made a dentist appointment for me because I have been so bad at scheduling one for myself. After this one I will have to be a grown-up about it. I'm pretty nervous because it has been YEARS since I've gone to the dentist (no dental insurance in grad school!), and the last time I went I got the first fillings I've ever had to get. Ugh. But it must be done, for healthy teeth are tied to a whole host of other health benefits (lower risk of heart disease, etc.).

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

A few flossing tips were about it. He likely lost in the genetics lottery game because teeth are an issue in my family.

Hey you are in good company. I know a lot of people like that. I went for YEARS without going to the dentist. Yeah I ended up with a gorgeous gold crown for my trouble but since then, it has been okay.
It is pretty common among people in their twenties.

[rebeccmeister.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think you're right about many people in their twenties skipping out on their dental trips...it's been years for me as well.

That really sucks for poor Senor Onion, especially given that there isn't much to be done for the situation. Having a numb mouth is such a bizarre feeling, and I'd worry that he won't want to go back to the dentist again. Does his dentist at least give him a prize from a magic chest for his good behavior? My pediatric dentist used to, so I never minded trips to the dentist as a kid.

[cutebutpsycho99.livejournal.com]

That poor kid. I think I've screamed that I wanted to kill my face after getting my wisdom teeth pulled the first time. And I hope you're feeling better also.

[k425.livejournal.com]

It happens. I had cavities in my baby teeth, despite my mum being a dental hygienist. YoungBloke has cavities and we've agreed with the dentist that this is likely to reduced calcium before either of us was diagnosed coeliac. As an adult I've had a few very small fillings. I missed going to the dentist for a few years, went this year and had a huge check-up. The dentist asked me when I'd last seen a hygienist? Erm, never. She was surprised, because actually apart from a tiny bit of plaque, it's all good.

YB has a great paed dentist (she teaches it at my university) who's said that should his current cavity actually require proper filling she'll do it under "magic air" - light entonox.

[artemis-moon.livejournal.com]

Why didn't they do all three at once? Man!
Poor kiddo. I had to go back with my kids too and it was hard to watch, being phobic myself.

[ms-pooka.livejournal.com]

so did they offer to put sealants on his other molar? she mentioned that to us for oliver's uppers and we're on the fence.

and she gave us this tube of flouride toothpaste and the last several days he's been freaking out during his toothbrushing saying his teeth hurt and he has these little spots on his gumline that i'm assuming were not there on tuesday during our doctor's visit. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THIS CHILD'S MOUTH.