Visit to Dentist

My son has oral defensiveness, a term to describe his sensitivity to anything to do with his mouth or area around his mouth. I've written in the past that he hates brushing his teeth. The area around his mouth can't be wiped clean after he's eaten, or else he'll vomit. So when it comes to having my son visit the dentist, I'm very nervous.

At the first visit slightly over a year ago, he cried badly until he vomitted. Back then, he generally vomitted easily during feeds or when he cried a bit too hard and he then still had a strong phobia of anyone in the medical profession (e.g. wears a mask, a white coat). The dentist only managed to have a look inside and to give advice on a particular tooth I was worried about.

At the second visit slightly over six months ago, he didnt even want to enter the premises. Just walking on by the roadside he sensed fear, even though we were about a shop away. He has good memory! That was despite me having bought a book (Harry and a Bucketful of Dinosaurs, on a visit to the dentist) to talk to him about it, prior to the visit.

This time around, the night before the visit, we mentioned that he'll be visiting the dentist, to which he said "I'm a little bit scared". Wow, just a little bit scared - that's a whole lot better than I expected. The next morning, I told him that it'd be myself and my sister who'd have our teeth cleaned too. I prayed the night before the visit and the morning of the visit, for peace to be over him and to remove the element of fear.

It was highly unusual - he was such a brave boy at the dentist today. He allowed the dentist to not only check his teeth but also clean them all, without whining or crying. This was a very noteable difference compared to the past two visits.

On the matters discussed:
- his problematic tooth is only decaying very slowly. The enamel had worn off and the yellowing is the hardened dentin. (we knew that from previous visit but good to know it's not worsened)
- that decay would not affect the permanent tooth that'll come out in that place
- we should continue to cut down on Pediasure milk which is very sweet. We could consider swtiching to cow's milk or soymilk (if we're concerned he might be lactose intolerant like me) which still contain calcium.
- continue brushing with Kodomo, but just use a tiny smudge of it
- it's ok if he doesnt rinse or spit, his teeth are still cleaned
- noted that his gag reflex has lessened

It of course helped that
- the dentist was gentle and has past experience with special needs kids.
- a TV was placed for the patient's viewing and turned on to Nick Jr.
- he had one of his favourite toy vehicles with him (a Toyota jeep)

Next visit scheduled in six months' time and I sure hope it goes as well as it did today.