The Dreadful Dentist Part 1

Today was the dreadful dentist office. James has struggled with Doctor and Dentist visits since he was about 18 months old. I honestly think it is because when 18 months to 2 years old, he remembered how going to this place hurt him. I don’t necessarily think that he remembered what specifically hurt or that he remembers remembering now, but when he entered the room it brought back an uneasy feeling to him that he knew he was uncomfortable with. He is the type of kid that when you go somewhere once, he can get back there again. If he had to get to school on his own from our new house or get home, he could do it. Long story short, I believe that his how James got to the place his now with going to the Dr. and Dentist.

However, TODAY he was amazing! He went in and he knew he had to do this regardless of how he felt so he was as strong as he could possibly be. He sat down in the chair, had his x-rays, and his teeth cleaned and did not cry or break down. There was no kicking, screaming or restraints like I had expected with him.

I did see a negotiator in him come out that I had never seen before… when it came to taking the x-rays she told him he had to take two. He said, “how about one?” Josh explained to them this was not an easy task from him. She offered to do four easy ones instead of two hard ones and he tried to negotiate again, “How about 2 easy ones?” LOL

Then when he was getting his teeth cleaned, after she would floss the front, he said, “OK, we’re done” and begin to climb out of the chair. Then, when it came time for the brushing he told them he doesn’t want to get that done because it taste bad. They told him they had one with no flavor and he opted to take that deal. When the polishing was complete, he said, “Alright, I am done now.” I held his hand and explained to him that it is not something that he gets to decided. There are certain things they have to do to clean his teeth and they will let him know when they are finished.

When it was all said and done, James did fantastic. He went to school immediately following and as far as I know he did ok there. When he got home, he released all of that built up anxiety he was holding in, so it was a rough afternoon. But I am proud of him for controlling himself as long as he could!