A Cavity, An Astronaut’s Mask, and a Date at McDonald’s
Navigating the world of pediatric dentistry can seem daunting, especially when your child is apprehensive about visiting the Hillsboro dentist. It had been nearly two years since my last attempt to take my son William to the dentist. In those days, I discovered just how determined a small child can be to avoid a dental appointment, clenching his jaws with fierce dedication. Our last visit was a bit chaotic; the Hillsboro dentist managed to count his teeth, but lost a pair of sunglasses in the process, and we left with William’s teeth no cleaner than before. Fast forward to today, and oh, what a difference a couple of years can make.
At four years old, William’s fear had transformed into curiosity. I knew we had turned a corner when he willingly let me brush his teeth with a Rota-dent(TM), which looks and sounds just like the tool used by our Hillsboro dentist. To my delight, about a month ago, William actually requested an appointment. Naturally, I booked it right away, and yesterday was the big day.
William was as excited as a child awaiting a theme park adventure. He eagerly climbed into the large examination chair and enjoyed the ride up and down. This time, he was calm, relaxed, and flashing his pearly whites. The dental hygienist counted his full set of twenty teeth, polished them with cherry-flavored paste, and applied orange-flavored fluoride. William was thrilled, rinsing and smiling throughout.
A Cavity Discovered
Everything seemed to be going perfectly. William even cooperated with the x-rays, intrigued by the images of his teeth and the sight of his six-year molars beneath the gums. He received a goody bag filled with fun items like coloring pages, stickers, and a whale-shaped toothbrush. Then, Dr. Susan Ellison, our trusted Hillsboro dentist, entered the room. Known for her gentle demeanor and excellent rapport with patients of all ages, she had finally won over my son.
But the triumph was short-lived when the x-rays revealed two cavities. My heart sank with guilt as I considered my four-year-old’s dental health. Dr. Ellison reassured me, explaining that the cavities were between his teeth, a common problem due to the lack of space, and difficult to address with brushing alone. Flossing, it turns out, is crucial. Feeling slightly better, I still resolved to improve.
Preparation for Treatment
As fate would have it, Dr. Ellison had an opening at eight o’clock the next morning. Rather than prolonging the worry, I scheduled the appointment. William took the news in stride when I explained that Dr. Ellison needed to fix a small hole in his tooth to prevent future pain. We celebrated his excellent behavior with lunch, while agreeing to keep discussions about cavities and drills to a minimum.
The next morning, we ventured back to the Hillsboro dentist. Armed with sunglasses and a calm demeanor, William approached the procedure with unexpected bravery. Dr. Ellison gently fitted him with an astronaut’s mask for a mild nitrous oxide boost. I encouraged him to imagine piloting a plane over a beach—his smile suggested he was up for the adventure.
The Procedure and a Rewarding Visit
Dr. Ellison skillfully sealed his molars and quickly resolved the cavities. William remained calm, alert, and cooperative throughout, his posture only slightly betraying any tension. Within thirty minutes, he was grinning from ear to ear, ready to celebrate his bravery with a treat.
You did better than your mom! Dr. Ellison teased, and I couldn’t help but agree. William hadn’t needed Novocain, a feat I admired and rewarded with a date at McDonald’s. His joy was infectious as we enjoyed our meal together.
Tips for a Positive Dental Experience with a Hillsboro Dentist
Dealing with kids can be tricky, but here are some helpful tips:
1. Educate Early: Explain what a Hillsboro dentist does in simple terms. Avoid sharing personal dental fears.
2. Persistence Pays: If your child resists, keep trying. Don’t wait too long between attempts.
3. Floss Regularly: Brushing isn’t enough; make flossing a habit.
4. Encourage Involvement: When children show interest in brushing, talk about visiting the dentist.
5. Make It Fun: Turn brushing into a shared activity, making silly faces or singing songs.
6. Offer Rewards: Positive reinforcement can motivate children to cooperate.
Remember, the Hillsboro dentist experience doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right approach, your child can learn to see dental visits as a positive, even enjoyable, experience. If you’ve been searching for a patient-focused, child-friendly Hillsboro dentist, consider scheduling an appointment at East Wind Dental Care. Let us show you why we’re the top choice in the Hillsboro area. Call us today at 503-614-0198.
—
East Wind Dental Care
Address: 7546 NE Shaleen St Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA
Phone: 503-614-0198
Website: eastwinddentalcare.com
East Wind Dental Care
Dental Implant placement in Hillsboro, Oregon, and Beaverton Oregon
family dentistry in Hillsboro
https://eastwinddentalcare.com
amily and Cosmetics Dentistry in Hillsboro, Oregon.
East Wind Dental Care Family and cosmetics dentistry in Hillsboro Oregon. We at East Wind Dental Care are committed to providing quality dental care to families located in the Hillsboro and Beaverton area and treat patients of all ages. We provide comprehensive solutions for our patients' oral health needs. Believing in the importance of listening to our patients, we take the time to truly understand each person's needs, goals, and lifestyle. By understanding our patients' objectives we can provide solutions that will improve their health while transforming their smile into something bright and beautiful. East Wind Dental Care at Hillsboro, Oregon provides a wide variety of dental services and procedures to address all of our patients' dental health needs. By combining quality patient care with up-to-date technology, we are able to treat patients of all ages in a comfortable and relaxing setting. Our website includes information on the following items: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, Family Dentist, General Dentist, Emergency Dentist, Dental Implants, Teeth Whitening, Dental Veneers, Dentures, Dental Crowns and more. Our Dentist and expert staff are trained to not only treat patients but to identify what caused the health concern in the first place. This comprehensive approach sets patients of East Wind Dental Care in Hillsboro on the road to recovery and long term oral health. When you walk into the office of East Wind Dental Care you will be immediately greeted by our friendly staff who are dedicated to making sure that you feel comfortable during your entire appointment. We understand that patients can feel anxious when going to the dentist, and our staff will take the time to listen to all of your concerns and help you understand exactly what your procedure is going to be like. At East Wind Dental Care we pride ourselves on being an affordable family dentist that accepts a variety of insurance plans and payment options like cash and credit cards, because we want to provide a beautiful, healthy smile to everyone in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area. Call East Wind Dental Care today at 503-614-0198 to see why we are the dentist of choice in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area.
Address: 7546 NE Shaleen St Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA
Phone: 503-614-0198 Call us today!
Website: https://www.eastwinddentalcare.com
Dentist in Hillsboro, OR - East Wind Dental Care provides general dentistry in Hillsboro. Make your next family dentist appointment at East Wind Dental Care. General Dentistry, Preventative Dentistry, Pediatric (Kids!) Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Tooth Replacement. Crowns and Bridges, Dental Implants & Mini Dental Implants Dentures (with specialty), Complete denture, Partial Dentures.
East Wind Dental Care
Family and cosmetics dentistry in Hillsboro Oregon.
We at East Wind Dental Care are committed to providing quality dental care to families located in the Hillsboro and Beaverton area and treat patients of all ages. We provide comprehensive solutions for our patients' oral health needs. Believing in the importance of listening to our patients, we take the time to truly understand each person's needs, goals, and lifestyle. By understanding our patients' objectives we can provide solutions that will improve their health while transforming their smile into something bright and beautiful.
East Wind Dental Care at Hillsboro, Oregon provides a wide variety of dental services and procedures to address all of our patients' dental health needs. By combining quality patient care with up-to-date technology, we are able to treat patients of all ages in a comfortable and relaxing setting. Our website includes information on the following items: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, Family Dentist, General Dentist, Emergency Dentist, Dental Implants, Teeth Whitening, Dental Veneers, Dentures, Dental Crowns and more. Our Dentist and expert staff are trained to not only treat patients but to identify what caused the health concern in the first place. This comprehensive approach sets patients of East Wind Dental Care in Hillsboro on the road to recovery and long term oral health.
When you walk into the office of East Wind Dental Care you will be immediately greeted by our friendly staff who are dedicated to making sure that you feel comfortable during your entire appointment. We understand that patients can feel anxious when going to the dentist, and our staff will take the time to listen to all of your concerns and help you understand exactly what your procedure is going to be like. At East Wind Dental Care we pride ourselves on being an affordable family dentist that accepts a variety of insurance plans and payment options like cash and credit cards, because we want to provide a beautiful, healthy smile to everyone in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area. Call East Wind Dental Care today at 503-614-0198 to see why we are the dentist of choice in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area.
East Wind Dental Care
Address: 7546 NE Shaleen St Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA
Phone: 503-614-0198 Call us today!
Opening Hours Mon - Fri: 8:00 - 17:00 and Saturdays with appointments.
Website: https://eastwinddentalcare.com/
Make an appointment online at https://eastwinddentalcare.com/contact-3/
