Smith Family Weblog

I took Ava to the dentist for the first time last week. It used to be that you could wait until kids were five to have their first dental appointment; now, it’s three. Of course, they want to see Olivia at one. I see how this works.

Anyway, we’ve been following a very rigorous routine of dental care the last few years. Our plan includes allowing Ava to suck hot pink princess toothpaste off a Hello Kitty brush twice a day, then assuring our doctor that we hold her down and tend to each tooth individually with a power toothbrush while she screams and flails about. Needless to say, I was a little concerned about what her first X-Rays would belie, but somehow she was cavity free.

This butterfly-themed dentist office caters to kids, so flat screen TVs are mounted to the ceiling above reclining chairs. Pop in a Dora DVD, add headphones, and the jaw automatically slackens just enough to allow for a thorough exam.

Ava was surprisingly well behaved throughout the entire exam…

Though she refused to sit in the special butterfly chair to have her photo taken by the hygienist. Everyone has their limits.

You can’t believe the loot they send home. Play dough, tattoos, balloons, a t-shirt, gum, stickers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, princess-themed floss…

She can’t wait to go back.