Getting Over My Fear of The Dentist

harper hoodie + boots + headband  ||  my top +cardigan + jeans + flats  ||  houston hoodie + pants 

If there is one appointment I’ve allllllways dreaded in my life, it is the dentist! Just hearing people talk about a toothache stressed me out, so I always pushed off making an appointment. Being in a new area I had no idea where to even start looking and who I could trust, especially with my crazy fear of the whole experience. My friend Kate told me to check out Dr. Chad Ellis at the Smile Studio, and you guys…my  whole attitude towards the dentist has been completely changed. He is that good. You know I consider you my girlfriends and have to share when I find something good, and a dentist is no exception. So today I wanted to share with you what sets him apart as the very best, AND I even got him to answer all your dental questions too!

You probably think I’m crazy talking about a dentist like he is some kind of miracle worker, but you guys he is! As soon as I sat foot in his office, my fears left my mind. Every single person that works there talks to you and takes interest in you like you have been friends for years, especially Chad and his wife Lynette. They are some of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. The office runs like one big family, with everyone sharing all the responsibilities. They call them selves members of a team, and it really shows how much Dr. Ellis realizes they are as much a part of the team as he is.

There is no waiting room, because the don’t believe in wasting your time and making you wait. I have been in to the office a handful of times now and never once had to wait. That right there should be reason enough, especially if you’ve ever been trapped in a waiting room with your little people. They have a great little room with snacks and movies for you and your kids to relax in and it could not be nicer.

So now on to your questions!! When I shared about my fear of the dentist over on Instagram, SO SO many of you could relate! I opened up my stories to any and all  the dental questions you had for Dr. Ellis, and sat down with him to get all the answers!

• WHAT AGE DO YOU REALLY RECOMMEND TAKING YOUR KIDS IN FOR THEIR FIRST VISIT?
  I would say around 2-3 years old.
• WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE ON PREPARING YOUR KIDS FOR A DENTIST APPOINTMENT, ESPECIALLY THEIR FIRST?
   The best advice I can give is to bring them to the dentist BEFORE there is a problem if possible. It is always best if the first visit isn’t an emergency or a toothache. If their first visit to the dentist is just routine visit it can save someone from having a life long fear of the dentist. Don’t make too big of a deal about the appointment, but try to stay positive!
• WHAT AGE IS IT SAFE FOR KIDS TO USE LAUGHING GAS?
  Laughing gas is completely safe for toddlers when administered properly. I would say 3 years old would be fine.
• BESIDES THE QUALITY OF DENTAL CARE, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER DENTAL OFFICES?
  Great question! We love the relationships and trust that we build with our patients and their families. Also, we  take our training seriously and are up on the very latest and best techniques available, to give you the best experience we can.
• I HAVE A 9 YEAR OLD WHO IS STARTING TO GET YELLOW TEETH, EVEN SHE HAS NOTICED. WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?
  I would recommend whitening toothpaste. If that doesn’t work, we would do an evaluation to see if she would be a good candidate for whitening trays, as well as look to see if the teeth had other reasons they were yellowing and what we could do to fix it.
• WHAT AGE IS IT SAFE FOR YOUR CHILD TO START USING TOOTHPASTE?
  When they can spit the majority of it out in the sink, rather than accidentally swallowing it.
• DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR BRUSHING A TODDLERS TEETH?
  Stand behind you child and look in the mirror with them as you brush their teeth so they can actually see what you’re doing and how they will eventually do it themselves. This way is a lot less intimidating and makes sense in their minds what’s is really happening.
  
• WHAT TOOTH WHITENING TOOTHPASTE IS THE BEST?
  Gosh there are so many! If it has the ADA seal on it it has to do what it says it will do. I do like Rembrandt personally.
  

I hope this helps answer some of your questions for your visits or for taking your own little people in. A lot of you had questions about my teeth whitening and what I’ve had done by Dr. Ellis, and we will be sharing all about that and what the office offers in a follow up post coming soon! So if you have any additional questions about my experience or for Dr. Ellis, leave them here and we will get to all of them!