My Vacation to the Dentist

The first thing I get to do is get in my car in anticipation of a drive in silence. I can choose the radio station or choose to ride in total silence. No one is fighting in the back seat, and no juice boxes are being hurled from the third row into the windshield. I am not pressing repeat on the catchy Lady Gaga tune to appease my daughter and therefore her older brother is not huffing in protest. This alone makes me consider the location of my dentist. Perhaps I should look on the complete other side of town.

Upon arrival to the office, I am greeted by a happy adult who asks, "How are you?" And, I can actually say, "great." I, having been intentionally early, will sit down to read a magazine or an e-book that I have downloaded just for the occasion. Sometimes I am lucky enough to strike up a conversation with another waiting room patron. This may be the only conversation I have with another big person for days or even weeks. I am not up with current events, and I don't want to talk about the latest episode of The Wiggles, so sometimes I struggle for words, but I take what I can get. It is an added bonus if the other patron is a senior citizen. This population is sometimes yearning for conversation as well, and we can talk about the weather for quite some time.

Once I am called back to the exam room, I gleefully hop into the reclining exam chair and tell the staff to take their time. This isn't as odd as the time I offered the same courtesy to my gynecologist, but it often gets a laugh. I breathe deep and listen to the background music, and maybe say some of those prayers I have been meaning to get to. I talk to the hygienist, I chit chat with the dentist, and I ask many, many questions to buy time.

I haven't had anything new for myself in quite some time, so I am practically giddy at the goody bag the dentist gave me. It came with the new toothbrush and all the free samples, and sometimes I splurge for a whitening product so I feel like I've invested in myself. Since I have a sitter, I'll be stopping for a soda on the way home to top off my relaxing day. No one is a bigger advocate for regular dental cleanings than the mother of five children. Take my advice and indulge in every way you can.