The Importance of Oral Hygiene and other "Mother of the Year" stories

I have a confession to make.  Nolan had not visited a dentist until last week.  Part of this was the "I'm too busy" epidemic, some of it was "I didn't see a dentist when I was a kid" (I think most of us know how that turned out) and some of it was old-fashioned denial.  Then a few weeks ago I noticed a dark spot on one of his teeth. Then, seriously, within a week that brown spot went from small to large. 
Our first visit to (what might be the BEST child dentist in the country) the dentist went really well. 

Until I heard this:  "Nolan needs a crown"

Oh my gosh.  The bottom of my stomach fell out.  I felt a deep sense of guilt.  The type of guilt that forces you to tell strangers on the street and wake up in the middle of the night in a sweat (both happened to me). 

Today Karl took Nolan in to the dentist for the crowning.  He was a trooper (as always) and although he wasn't thrilled about being at school he told all of his friends that he had a new "silver tooth". 

I know there are bigger issues that kids have to deal with as a result of poor parenting.  Like my deeply embedded distain for anything resembling Christmas.  Or my bad sleeping habits and stress management skills that have rubbed off on him.  But, there's something more concerning to me than the oral hygiene issue. It's the idea that I could use my 'busy-ness' to rationalize not being proactive with my child's care.  Perhaps that sounds like I am being too hard on myself, and for just a big cavity, perhaps I am.  But, I know first hand, too close, that you should never take your child's (or your own) health for granted. 

There is an important lesson in here for me, and Nolan.  For me: I have to get my schedule under control.  For Nolan: he has to "floss his face off"  (quoting the oral hygienist).