Kids' Dentist checkup

Keira and Aden had their 6 month dentist check up August 12th. I am very proud of both them, Keira did not have any cavities and is losing 2 of her baby teeth. She is getting a 6 year molar and her teeth are in excellent condition. Aden has no cavities and his teeth are sparkling white :). Their pediatric dentist was very proud of Aden's teeth because most boys at 2 1/2 (3 in a month) will just let their teeth go and so will the parents because the child will not let the parent brush their teeth or the parent will just give up and not even worry about it. Aden is very excited when it comes to brushing his teeth, parents have to put excitement into brushing teeth.

Taygen has her first dentist appointment next week. I am anxious and nervous to see how she is going to do. She has 4 front teeth on the top, 2 back top teeth, 2 back bottom teeth, and 2 front bottom teeth. I am worried that she only has 2 bottom front teeth. But, we will see what the dentist says. At the kids' ped. dentist they go back by themselves, which is great because it makes them feel independent and know that mom doesn't always have to be there to watch over everything. They probably act better when mom is not around :).

There was one negative thing they said about Keira's teeth. Keira's teeth are very weak. There is a film around her teeth, can't remember what it is called. It's not something she did wrong or we did wrong with brushing or anything, it is something she was born with. The film makes it easier to get cavities, gingivitis, etc.. But, I am very proud of the fact that she does not have any of that and that those things can be prevented if you use good brushing and flossing habits with kids.

We have been trying to instill good eating habits into our kids. So, with this said I would like to complain a little bit, I know, nothing new :).  The kids get "something special" through out the day if they are good, polite, or just have a good attitude through out the day. Since we are trying to eat healthier and watch what we eat I decided that the kids' something special would be "fat free" or "low fat" candy or treats. Such as, suckers, tootsie rolls (chocolate and/or flavored), licorice, raisins, jelly beans, etc.. Well, the dentist doesn't want the kids eating that kind of stuff because it could get stuck inside the tooth and cause cavities and other stuff, which I understand because most of that stuff is "sticky."  So, the dentist recommended chocolate, of all things to give the kids. Really?  She even suggested Little Debbie snack cakes.

Chocolate is probably the worst thing you could give to a kid if you are trying to eat healthy. So, I am doing another form of reward system for them. I am doing a sticker reward system. If they listen, clean their room, get dressed, etc... then they get a sticker. It is a 5x6 reward sheet. If they get 5 filled up horizontally then they get their something special, now it is m & m's or candy bar, or 5 pennies to put into their piggy bank. If they get the whole card filled up (30) stickers they get to put 4 quarters into their piggy bank. They like it and they get really excited when they know they get to put a sticker on the card. Another idea the kids like to do is chew gum after they had a snack, sugar free, and ADA approved, of course. Keira also likes to drink flavored water instead of juice and only have milk in the morning for breakfast.

Article provided by Amber Weyer, Aug. 15th, 2011. The Dentist location is Lincoln Pediatric Dentistry