Our First Dental Visit
During his first dental examination at hoikuen, we were told that Hithesh’s teeth were prone to cavities and that he needed a more detailed dental check-up. I knew we had to take him to the dentist, but somehow, it took me a little while to make the appointment.
It all started at his hoikuen (Japanese daycare). During a dental check-up there, they told us that Hithesh might be more likely to develop cavities. I started thinking about his little teeth and whether I was doing enough to take care of them.
As a first-time mother, there are so many little things you learn along the way. Some things you already know, some things you discover only when you have a child, and some things make you wonder, Oh, should I have known this earlier?
So, I finally made an appointment for his first dental visit.
Finding a dentist for a little one
One thing I noticed is that not every dental clinic seems to deal with very young children. Finding the right place took a little thought, but we managed to find a clinic that could see him.
And honestly, I was curious about how the whole experience would go. Taking a toddler to a clinic is never quite predictable, is it? The interior of the dental was amazing I was enchanted by the painted colorful walls.
But, nothing could our boy’s crying, hahah!! even before coming here I could imagine him crying, refusing to open his mouth, or wanting to run around instead of sitting in the dental chair.
Well, he did cry well and truly!
Banana-flavoured toothpaste and little tears
The dentist examined his teeth and looked at some white patches. Thankfully, she explained that they were not major tooth decay. She cleaned his teeth and applied fluoride to help protect them. There was banana-flavoured toothpaste too, which I thought was such a cute little detail. Who knew a dental visit could involve banana toothpaste?
cute little brush with good grip
Floss
Our baby wasn’t exactly enjoying the experience, though. He cried during the examination, and I felt for my little boy. But we got through it, one little moment at a time.
The dentist also showed us how to take better care of his teeth and asked us to come back in December for another check-up.
We were given a little toy, too. I think that was probably one of the nicest parts of the visit for Hithesh!
A surprisingly lovely little clinic
Something else I really liked was the clinic itself.
The walls were so charming, the play area was beautiful, and everything felt thoughtfully arranged for little children. It was the kind of place where you could see that someone had put effort into making children feel comfortable.
We also got a toothbrush and dental floss for him. It felt like we came home with more than just a dental check-up. We had a few new things to learn and some little habits to work on.
Of course, getting a toddler to cooperate with toothbrushing is another story altogether!
Learning motherhood, one little thing at a time
Living in Japan as a foreign mother means I am always learning something new. Sometimes it is about the language, sometimes it is about the healthcare system, and sometimes it is simply about looking after a little person who depends on me for almost everything.
I still have so much to learn. My Japanese is not perfect, and I don’t always know exactly what to expect when I visit a clinic. But somehow, I ask questions, listen carefully, talks slowly, learn a few new things, and manage.
And that is something motherhood keeps teaching me. You don’t have to know everything before you begin. Sometimes, you just take the next little step. For now, we have our next dental appointment in December, a new toothbrush to use, and one more little experience to add to our life in Japan.
I hope our boy will become a little more comfortable with the dentist as he grows. And hopefully, brushing those tiny teeth will become a little easier for both of us, too!
One little tooth at a time.
