Dirty mouth? Clean it up with Orbit gum!

Trey went to the dentist today. It was his second time. I wasn't too worried about it. The first time went better than I'd expected. He'd climbed up in the dentist's chair and sat there like a pro. The dentist told us how great his teeth looked. I was a proud Mommy.
Not quite the same story this time around. The climbing into the dentist's chair was no problem. The opening his mouth and following instructions was ok. It was the four cavities they found that wasn't so great.
Poor little Trey had no idea what was going on as the dentist and I discussed his teeth. He was simply lying there with his mouth wide open hoping to get a surprise for being good. He was gonna get a surprise all right! Oh the mommy guilt! I should have held him down and scrubbed his teeth all those days that he only half heartedly brushed. And a piece of candy for going potty? Whose bright idea was that?
The wheels in my head were already turning. We need a story book about cavities. Do they make coloring books about that too? A list of tooth healthy snack food was forming in my head.
I went to check out and the receptionist informed me they had an opening to go ahead and fill two of his cavities right then. My heart skipped a beat. Right now? Before I explain what is wrong with him and read him stories and get him all prepared so he won't be scared? Ummm. Ok...I guess. Maybe quicker was better, less time to dwell on things.
Before I knew it, Trey was fully reclined in the dental chair with a mask strapped on his face giving him laughing gas. But there was no laughing. He just got very still. The dental assistant was explaining that he had sugar bugs on his teeth that had to come out. The mommy guilt was mounting. Maybe this was a bad idea. Trey looked so tiny in that big mechanical chair. Maybe I should go hold his hand. No, he seems fine. He can do this. He's a big boy.
Next the dentist gave him a quick pep talk. Yes, he was going to remove the sugar bugs with his special tool that whistled and when he got the sugar bugs off it would tickle a little. What!?! Was this guy crazy!?! Don't lie to my boy. He's too smart for that. Maybe I should warn Trey that it may hurt a little so he can be brave.
Too late. The dentist flicks the drill on. I cringe for a moment and want to cry. I can hear the dentist talking over the whine of the drill, "There's those sugar bugs! I'm gonna get them! Tickle, tickle, tickle!" I peeked one eye open, then the other. Trey seemed okay. There was no resistance, no tears. "Oh", I thought as I noticed my heart pounding in my chest, "I'm the only one here who is afraid of the dentist."
Sure enough, Trey did great. As soon as he was finished he popped up with a smile and asked about his surprise. I was amazed and relieved. We have an appointment for next week to get the other two done. Maybe I can be a big girl next week. Trey has no worries. He left the office with a new tooth brush, bouncy ball and Lightening McQueen tattoo. From there we went to Walmart and bought anti cavity rinse and big boy toothpaste. Once I teach him not to eat his toothpaste, we're gonna beat these sugar bugs!