Continuing Annabel’s infatuation with all things medical, she is now obsessed with dentists. This started a few months ago when I bought her a book about going to the dentist to prep her for her first dental exam. When I got the book, Annie was in an “I hate brushing my teeth” phase, so I was also hoping it would help make teeth brushing a little easier…I mean, I was fearing my fingers were going to be bitten off three times a day. That’s no way to live, man!
After the first reading of the book, Annie started wanting to “practice” being a dentist (In Annie-talk, Practice = Pretend). When tooth-brushing time came around, Mike was “Dentist Daddy” and he’d brush “Patient Annie’s” teeth. Then, she’d pretend to be the dentist and brush Mike’s teeth, along with the “teeth” of several of her dolls.
It’s only continued to progress. She asks me constantly if she can brush my teeth (hyperemesis makes it hard enough for me to brush my own teeth, I’m going to be a dentist’s dream), and she chases Rigby around saying, “Rigby, come here, I have to brush your doggy teeth!” Talk about getting your fingers bitten off. And, last week when we surprised her with Disneyland, I said to her, “Annie, what fun thing do you think we’re doing today?” And she replied, “GOING TO THE DENTISTS!”
But the funniest thing of all is that Annie has been insisting that she wants a Dentist Birthday Party. I think that would be so hilarious. Toothbrush and toothpaste goodie bags! Sugar-free candy! A dentist at the party! The Tooth Fairy can come!
The dentist party theme not only has to withstand the test of time – her birthday is nine months away, for goodness sake – but it also has to endure her first dentist appointment. I am really hoping that it lives up to her expectations…but honestly, as long as the dentist gives her a sticker at the end, she’ll be happy.
kristina says:
When I was getting my daughter ready for her first dental visit I remembered all the things to prepare her for: opening mouth, getting her teeth touched, etc. But I forgot to practice the chair recline! Totally freaked her out and hysterics ensued. So don’t forget the chair part!
Amanda says:
Do you mind if I ask which book you bought about going to the dentist? My son and daughter are going for the first time in a few weeks and there seem to be a lot of choices for books out there. The one you have certainly seems to have gotten Annie excited about the dentist!
Heather says:
It’s this book: First Experiences: Going To the Dentist, http://www.amazon.com/First-Experiences-Dentist-Experience-Storybook/dp/1445440687/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1368167910&sr=8-4&keywords=going+to+the+dentist Annie is wild about the stickers!
Leslie says:
Last year for her fourth birthday party, my granddaughter chose a carrot theme. Her mom, my daughter, who is very creative, ran with it. Carrot hats, carrot piñata, carrot whistle party favors, a carrot print dress, and yes of course carrot cake. It was so much fun.
This month, she will be turning five, and it’s a ninja turtles theme. Somehow, not as charming in my gramma eyes, although definitely retro.
JustAMom says:
Take her to the spaceship dentist! We go to the one in Simi and my daughter LOOOOOVES going to the dentist! Dr. Raza ia awesomme, though I’ve heard great things about the Camarillo & TO offices too!
http://www.spaceshipdentist.com/
Mommy says:
I went to the shapeship dentist as a kid and loved it! And now my boys love it too!!!
Terri says:
You really need to get her that playdoh dentist set if she doesn’t have it already… that would be hilarious! I think it’s really gross but sounds like she would love it! lol http://www.amazon.com/Play-Doh-Doctor-Drill-n-Fill/dp/B000ZRKSSC
Mommy says:
We have that playdoh dentist kit and it is soooo gross! You make the playdoh tongue and teeth and drill the cavities, gah. But, my kids LOVE it- particularly the nasty tongue part. Lol!
Rita says:
My 2.5 year old son would brush the “teeth” of his bulldozer toy! Just one of the many things you have to look forward to when Mr. Acrobat arrives!
Sarah Shohet says:
Our pediatric dentist gives the kids manicures afterwards (well, the hygienists do). Imagine how much Annie would love going to the dentist then!
Brooke says:
I wonder how she’ll react to the Acrobat’s lack of teeth.
Brooke says:
I love the idea of a dentist themed birthday party. Brilliant.
Annalisa says:
My daughter hated brushing and the dentist (brushing since 6 months, first dentist visit at 18 months, her pediatrician insisted on early visits because kiddo took a bottle to bed at the time) until her 2 year visit. Her (amazingly awesome) dentist sang her the ABC song while she was doing her tooth cleaning, and all of a sudden brushing was no longer the worst thing ever.
Not only does the daughter insist on brushing twice a day (rather than the one time we could do begrudgingly before) while I sing her the ABC song. Then she gets to sing it back to me when she’s finished.
Annalisa says:
Also, we have a couple of family friends in the dental profession. It’s expensive to get through school, but it turns out to be pretty lucrative afterward, even if you only work 2-3 days a week (like my dentist does, because she has kids she likes to spend time with ;)). Out of all possible aspirations, I think that beats out even doctors.
Kelly says:
This is hilarious. I hope that she still wants a dentist birthday, because that would be the funniest party ever.
Teri says:
My daughter had a dentist themed 4th birthday party. We asked our local dentist, and they were thrilled — they gave us little dental bibs, plastic dental mirrors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss for all the kids, along with a bunch of tooth-decorated party bags. We played “Pin the Tooth on the Smile,” and everyone brought a doll or stuffie so the kids could “play dentist”. The cake had a big smile on it, with lots of teeth showing. The kids loved the whole theme, and everyone left happy. I say to go for it!
S says:
I just took my almost 4 year old to the dentist about 3 weeks ago, and I prepared for the worst. Instead, she absolutely LOVED the dentist. Well, more specifically, the really awesome hygienist. I highly recommend finding someone who specializes in pediatric dentistry, if you haven’t already. I don’t think it would have been quite as successful if we took her to our general practice dentist (no games, no toys, no cool posters and mobiles, and certainly no princess stickers).
Love the birthday party theme! Hope it lasts because it sounds like fun. Plus, you always seem to throw amazing parties.
Ally says:
If you have an Ipad, I discovered a fun app called Tiny Dentist! She would love it!