Remember to Brush and Floss Regularly, so your Dental Checkups go as Smoothly as Mine

Yesterday, I had a dentist appointment. Connor didn't want to go with me, so he stayed with his Nana. Lex, on the other hand, really wanted to come with me, so I let him.

Lex and Connor have both accompanied me on dental visits before, with no problems. Usually, though, Lex is safely strapped in the stroller. On this particular day, I decided to leave the stroller in the car, as it was buried under an extra car seat, a cart load of purchases from Target (including a dozen foam swords that I didn't want to bring to Lex's attention again), books, blankets, winter coats (Ohio weather is so unpredictable in April), etc. I was being lazy, and I figured he was old enough to be let out of the stroller.

And he was. For the most part, he sat on my lap, happily watching Wizards of Waverly Place on the Disney Channel. Except when the hygienist was cleaning my teeth with something sharp, he starting bouncing around on my lap. She said to him, "Sit still, or I might poke mommy in the mouth and make her bleed."

This really didn't have any effect on Lex. It would have scared Connor half to death, so I'm glad that she hadn't said it in front of him. But Lex kept right on bouncing, so she offered him a fun character toothbrush to take home if he sat still. This was golden, so still enough he sat during that part.

Then, the hygienist wondered why he wasn't a patient at their office, as he was almost three, and they do see kids. This amuses me because I know they don't see children as young as mine, seeing as how I have to drive them to a different, pediatric, dentist all the way in Dublin. I don't say anything about it, though, as I really can't say anything at all while she cleans my teeth.

But I am not surprised at all when she can't find a fun character toothbrush for my child, even though she promised him one. Fortunately, before things can really go sour, another hygienist offers to blow up a balloon for Lex.

What color would he like?

Blue.

They don't have blue. What about red?

Red is fine.

So we hear the helium turn on. Then a loud pop and shriek.

Would orange be okay?

Yes, orange was fine.

And I treated myself to some Dairy Queen after all that.