Teeth are fun

The Tooth Survival Book
American Dental Association
1977

I think it is a great idea for there to be a book about dental care for kids. I don’t know how much is different in terms of dental care since 1977, so we shouldn’t weed based on age alone. My gripe is that the illustrations are a bit creepy. (I am totally willing to own my dental anxiety, and frankly these pictures don’t really ease my mind)

First we have the decay picture. Okay, I get it. (Reminds me of the fungus in that commercial or the cartoon mucus in the other commercial.) Not really fond of this, but I can live with it.

But now we have the example of the root canal!

YIKES! That drill doesn’t look scary at all! This visual about killed me. I can’t imagine kids finding any comfort in the giant drill scraping away the insides of the tooth. By the way, is a root canal a common procedure for a kid? Anyway, I am all for dental hygiene and having materials available for kids on all matters dental. I do know that pain and fear management has come a long way in dental care. I used to dread any procedure way back in the day. Now my dentist gives me a nice Xanax pill and headphones and I am no worse for wear.

Smile pretty everyone!

Mary