Dark Side

I don’t like the dentist.

Evidence of this in reflected in me not taking The Boy to the dentist long after I should have.

I also try to learn from my mistakes. And so I took Miss Thing to the dentist much sooner than I took her brother. Her pearly whites are much prettier than The Boy’s (sorry Boy) so I had high hopes that she had inherited her father’s good teeth. Much of my dislike of the dentist may have something to do with the fact that whenever I was taken to the dentist as a child he always seemed to find something wrong. Always cavities. Then once they told me I had a cavity on top of a cavity. Uh, hello? How is that possible?

I made her appointment at the same time as The Boy’s follow-up appointment. Prior to going I had suspicions that she had a cavity. Then I took her to a pre-school/play group and that day they just happened to be talking about taking care of our teeth. The nurse was there, too, to check their teeth. When I went to pick her up the nurse wanted to show me something in Miss Thing’s mouth. We went in the other room and she had the girl sit and open wide (which she did perfectly) and then shined her light in toward the left side of her mouth and had me look. Then she said these infamous words, “do you see that dark side?” From then on Miss Thing has often referred to her “dark side.” I have to be quick to swoop in and explain what exactly her dark side really is. But she has learned that she can’t eat a lot of candy because of her dark side. At least she says she’s learned it. That doesn’t really stop her from eating the sweet stuff to her hearts content. Or at least until I catch her.

The time finally came for her dentist visit. We thought it would never come. Not only did she know of this dark side but the famed dark side had started to cause her discomfort. Something she reminded me about on a regular basis. You would not believe how still this girl sat while the hygienist cleaned her teeth. The hygienist herself could hardly believe how well behaved she was. She even sat still enough for them to take an x-ray of her mouth. What four year old does that? I had her go first as I know The Boy would be putting up a fight. With her hand holding and words of encouragement and my holding him on my lap he got through it. As some sort of stroke of genius I had taken a small pin-like flashlight with me. It was the perfect thing for the kids to hold onto, and shine in their mouths while they sat for the dentist.

Unfortunately the dentist found more than just the dark side that needed work. She has my mouth. The poor girl. So today I’m taking her to the hospital to have it all worked on at once. This girl does not do pain very well. As in at all. Small scratches usually require the world to come to a screeching halt. And if there is blood involved. Oh. My. Word.

And so I am not looking forward to that girl coming out of the anesthesia. Not. One. Bit.

It’s going to take the phrase “dark side” to a whole new level.