I was one of those kids who had to go to the dentist A LOT.  I blame my sweet tooth for the many cavities I had and my parents for my genetically small mouth.  Because there was not enough room in my mouth for all my teeth to grow in properly, I had to go to have several of my big teeth pulled out.  Oh how I remember the drama!  I hated going to the dentist.  It made it somewhat easier that he was one of my friend's fathers (and somewhat odd as I always expected him to examine my teeth when I went to play at my friends house).  I remember my mom bribing me to get me into the office without a huge fuss.  A Holly Hobby doll was my all-time favorite bribe.

How different it is today for kids at the dentist.  My kids are actually excited to go to the dentist.  Seriously.  First, they get to choose between all these lovely flavors of fluoride (marshmallow, really?) and wear really cool sunglasses during the exam.  If they are having any type of procedure done, they get to wear movie goggles.  Quite a change having to beg my kids to get out of the dentist's chair because the work was done before the movie.  Oh how these things would have made my dentist-going a so much more pleasurable experience! 

Maybe one of the biggest differences between the two experiences has been the explosion of pediatric dentists over the past years.  When you go into a pediatric dental office, everything seems much less scary which is a huge deal for kids developing their perception of a dentist.  Whatever the reason for my kids 'happy to go to the dentist' attitude, it makes this mama happy.

If you are looking for a pediatric dentist, please check out our Business Directory to find one in your neck of the woods.  If you don't know where to start, you can always ask your dentist or your friends for recommendations.