The Dentist at 6
I do not like going to the dentist as an adult. It’s not cause they aren’t kind, helpful, much more technologically advanced, and very useful; but come on, who actually ‘likes’ it. We all do what we gotta do and submit to the help we need with whichever coping mechanisms we have acquired.
We breathe deeply, count to 10 or 100. We self-hypnotize. We laugh, make conversation, distract ourselves with the phone or even try to meditate. We all have ways we handle those dental moments in the chair with someone’s intense, bright light and instruments poking around in our mouth that stays way too open, way too long.
It’s just a thing we do. So, how is this my intro when I absolutely loved going to the dentist as a child… yes, it’s very true. I wouldn’t brush my teeth on purpose so I could go sooner (didn’t say I had all my brain cells yet).
I did it because I always felt sooo good during and after the anesthesia, ‘laughing gas’ they would give me. At least that’s what I interpreted as the reason why at the time and it did play heavily into my desire to go.
I mean, it was more than just the feel good medicine. I was getting more positive experience than just the laughing gas though. I also got a lot of positive attention because, instead of being my 2 big brothers pesky little sister who felt bullied and bushwhacked by them constantly, while mom was busy with the baby; I got to be important, singled out, with positive affirmations and a treat at the end ironically.
And the dentistry done to me wasn’t any kind of negative, it was just fill ins for cavities that I allowed to happen. Yes, I realize and recognize the satire that my 6 year old experienced addictive behavior that was accidently supported under the guise of good health practices.
I suppose you could also call me a young addict in the making, going for societal assisted addiction. Hmmm glad we don’t do anything like that anymore. Can you imagine? Plus, in my little kid eyes it was creative play, because the gas mask and hose they used, caused me to feel euphoric and other worldly.
My creative juices would just have a ball. I would sometimes just float out of the room-at least that’s what I remember anyway. I am pretty sure what I went through was not truly healthy. And for certain, all the dental issues I deal with today had their seeds in my behaviors and the procedures I had done to me back then.
I don’t hold anyone accountable or responsible, even me; it’s just an experience that was then and it helped cause the now. An experience no longer in practice, as I see such makes a lot of sense. An experience that was accepted, acceptable and culturally normal.
I’m also glad science changes and improves. Although people say it’s the standard we can bank on, I’m glad it changes, improves and that we don’t cause so many kids to try to get back to the dentist by whatever means. Well, we do have those cool ceiling TV’s to watch. Besides, we have moved on to other problems now.
