Do you remember when you were in elementary school and a dentist (or dental assistant) came out to your school to discuss good dental hygiene? He/She/They tell you about how important it is to brush your teeth and floss every single day. And then they take a little peek in to your mouth to see how you’re doing. I hardly remember elementary school, but I remember that. Maybe it was traumatic for me even then.

Keaton just went through this experience last week. He seemed pretty excited about it, which really shocked me considering he’s ten years old and I still have to harrass him daily to brush his damn teeth and use his mouthwash. So anyway, yesterday there was a little note in Keaton’s bag from the dental nazis. It says “On 2-1-05 a dental screening indicated your child may have some dental needs. A complete exam was not done. If your child has not had a recent checkup, we suggest that you have a dentist examine the teeth. If care is not needed, you will have the satisfaction of knowing your child is in good dental health.” And then there are some reasons for referral. They checked “Possible Cavities: One or more teeth appear to have decay.”

I was a little offended because if you are a mother you know we, as mothers, are supposed to be perfect. And here was this glaring, accusatory note telling me that I don’t take very good care of my child’s teeth. And not only am I rotten mom, but now the school and the dental profession know it. I realize some parents don’t take care of their kids’ dental needs and it’s really a good thing that the school has the dental hygienist come in for a periodic check. It’s sad that the school has to take on many roles that parents should be dealing with. But I do take Keaton to the dentist. Every six months. Religiously. It’s obvious by the metal that is already in his mouth on his baby teeth from cavities he had a few years back. In fact, Keaton just went to the dentist in December and he didn’t have any cavaties. Dr. Kelly did tell Keaton he needs to make sure he brushes his teeth every day. And he asked him to start using ACT (mouthwash) every day. So I bought Keaton some cinnamon ACT to go with his cinnamon toothpaste. And I hound Keaton to brush his teeth daily. “Brush your teeth” is even on his daily checklist. But he’s ten year olds. And if I know anything about ten year olds it’s that they don’t always do what their parents tell them to do. Sometimes he ignores me on purpose “cause he’s practically a teenager” [or so he thinks].

Yes, I realize the school is not trying to prove my mothering failures. I realize I’m overreacting. But these are feelings that we mothers feel. When we feel like our parenting skills are being attacked we bring out the claws. I’m going to take a deep breath in. Deep breath out. And tonight I’ll [again] hound Keaton about his brushing. And we’ll see about those cavaties at Keaton’s already scheduled appointment in June. Ok, I feel better now.