1St Dentist Visit

We took both kids around their 3rd birthdays.

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It is never too early!
As soon as the first tooth comes in, go.
If only to get your child acclimated to your dentist. My kids LOVE going to visit there dentist. It can be a frightening event if done too rushed and when there is a problem. If you go before you HAVE to, everyone will feel better for it!
You also get the right information and knowledge on caring for your little ones teeth.
Good Luck!

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They say it is as soon as they have teeth or by age 1. I took my son at 1. I think the younger they are, the less scared they are. And I would definitely go to a pediatric dentist. Makes the whole experience fun and non-threatening. I don't know where you live, but if you are anywhere around Huntington Beach, I highly recommend Dr. Suelene Chen 17692 Beach Bl #303 Huntington Beach, CA 92647 ###-###-####. Even her website is amazing: http://atoothdoctorforkids.com. We love her.

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I first took my son when he was about 2 1/2 and it was a calossal waste of time. He had no interest in letting them do anything in his mouth even though we had talked about, read the Elmo book and he seemed totally on board all right up until he sat in the seat.

We went again when he was about 3 1/2 and magic! He LOVED that he got to see his "adult" teeth on the x-ray. He didn't have any cavitees and has now been twice. With my youngest, I'll just wait until he's three!

Good luck!
-M

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As a dental hygienist, we usually recommend coming with mom when she has her teeth cleaned about age 4. Then coming themselves sometime after that. There is no need earlier as young children do not get the bacterial plaque. The digestive enzymes and bacteria are not yet in abundance. Usually the diet is good but if fed lots of sugar and soda the balance of the oral saliva can change and then the child will have plaque. Feed the child a well balanced diet and there will be no need to have them see a dentist until permanent teeth start to come in. M. RDH Oral facial myologist, FACE

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Both my kids had their first dentist visit at about age 2. They have lots of their teeth by then. I just took them when I had my appt. Of course the first visit is just to meet and the dentist take a “fun” look at their teeth. Since both went early in age, they have been very accustomed to the dentist and I never have to fight them to go. Each experience for them has been very positive!

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I use to work for a pedo dentist and the American Academy of Pediatric dentistry rec age 1. It is more preventative, but better safe than sorry-you don't know how many one yr olds I have seen w/almost every tooth decayed. It is usually every yr until they are 4 then every 6 months-the will just do a visual exam to make sure everything is ok and watch things if needed. L.:)

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We started taking our daughter to the dentist at 10 or 11 mos old. Some dentist will tell you you can wait until they are 5 yrs old before taking them in unless you see something that has you concerned.

I went with pediatrician recommendations and took mine during her first year, around 18 months. I knew they wouldn't do much, but it helped with getting her used to it. She was so young and curious, not scared at all. She's 25 months now and had her second visit about 4 months ago and did better. Opened her mouth and everything. She loves going there now. She uses a sippy cup a lot still so I worry about her teeth, even though she brushes twice a day, but so far so good. I would say if your child is not good with experiences like that in new places with new people and her teeth look fine then wait until she's a bit older, but if there are any signs of something going on with her teeth I would take her as early as you need to even if she is scared because the sooner you catch something the better.

My kids' pediatrician checked their teeth until they were 2...that was when both he and the pediatric dentist recommended I bring them to the dentist. The main reason why 2 is a good age is because it introduces your child to what will become a 6-month ritual. Most 2-year-olds are too scared to go in without mom or dad, so the first couple of appointments or so (depending on the comfort level of your child) are usually just to check for any problems and to allow your child to acclimatize. I totally recommend a pediatric dentist...my kids love going now because of the fun environment (Disney movies during the cleaning and in the waiting room) and the free toys and balloons. Plus, the staff is trained on how to handle anxious children. My son still looks forward to going even though he has already had 2 cavities filled (poor boy had a deep depressions in both molars that toothbrushes and rinse couldn't reach) and sealants placed over all of his molars. Ask other parents and I bet you will get some great referrals! Best wishes to you!

I started taking my kids when they were 2. They go every 6 months for a cleaning. So far so good!

It is recommended that you start taking your child to the dentist when they are one. My adult dentist told me the age was 4 and that is wrong and I know many kids who wait that long already have irreversible damage.

I started taking my kids to a pediatric dentist when they were one. At that age, they only check the teeth and gums to make sure there are no issues starting. The next visit isn't until they're 2. Mild cleanings started at 3.

I think by exposing my kids to the dentist early on has also prevented any fear they may have with the process. Now, ages 5 and 8, my kids have great teeth with no issues and great habits. They actually look forward to dental visits.

i heard at 3 yrs old, i keep asking and the drs. i ask say 3

K.
mother of 2.5 yr old

As soon as they have all their teeth. I myself waited until he was about 2 and asked the doctor if it was too early to bring him in? He said as long as they have teeth they can be checked. No harm going too early, your child will only benefit from it.

I took my son at 1 year however it seemed almost like a waste of time the dentsit really didn't do anything. I think 18 months to 2 years is perfect they have way more teeth then.

Pediatric dentists recommend around the age of 1 year.

I took both my children when they we 3 yrs old. I wanted them to get used to the experience early so they wouldn't be afraid later.

Check with your dentist, or pedodontist. My first daughter refused to open her mouth at 3, 4 and 5. When I took her little sister, who was very cooperative at 2, then the older one finally opened her mouth. If you notice problems, you need to get it taken care of, even if you have to give him some sleepy juice. My kids have been fine, even though the first one did not have an official cleaning until she started to lose her baby teeth!

from what my daughters insurance book said (the dental part) 1 year is the start of dentist visits. my daughter saw her dentist at 13 or 14 months (it was the soonest she could get in). all they did was count her teeth (she had 6 lol) and look for signs of decay and give you tips. i take my daughter to a pediatric dentist because they are relly patient with kids and are trained to handle them and such. my daughter is 32 months old and sees her dentist for and annual check up this month. some parents dont think its needed to take their kids to the dentist till all their teeth are in. its a personal choice. i personally fear my child having tooth decay and cavaties at a young age that i started her at the dentist just after a year old. do what you feel is best. my daughter doesnt only let me brush her teeth thuroghly but i also floss them every night. she has very healthy teeth thanks to her dentist and myself. whatever you choice will be fine as long as you practice good brushing routines. good luck.

oh fyi- yes my daughter screams the whole time her teeth are being looked at (she hates her mouth messed with). but her dentist says its a good thing because she keeps her mouth open. also her dentist has scented (and maybe flavored gloves). i really like her dentist and i think that its important that the childs parent trusts the dentist so the child learns to trust them too. oh and also my daughters dentist has my daughter lay her head in her lap while her legs and body are on me.

I took my daughter when she was about 18 months, b/c she had some black stain on her teeth. The dentist didn't really do much, advised me to brush her teeth more frequently. I am taking her to second visit next week b/c she got more stain which I can't seem to get rid of. She is now 2 1/2.

I think you should also ask your pediat. if you are unsure when. Hope this helps!

Ask your pediatrician. Ours told us two years. My friend said that her pediatrician said three years. The pamphlet that came with a toothbrush my sister gave me from her pediatric dentist said one year! We are going with what our doctor told us. Good luck!

i took my daughter for her first dental visit when she was four years old. however, i have heard you can take them as early as two when they have most of their teeth. you should call a local dentist and ask what they recommend.

Make sure whenever it is, you use a CHILD-FRIENDLY dentist. We spent years undoing damage by one, not kid-sensative dentist who kept asking our daughter, "Are you scared? Are you scared?" Well, our well prepared little girl went from "this is an adventure, and I know how Mickey Mouse visits the dentist, and also Michael from The Little People books", it took just a few insensitive sentences from the professional to our girl, being terrified and sobbing.

Good luck.

They say 2, I waited until 3. But I don't give her gummy fruit chews or gummy vitamins etc. My friends who did.....they all had cavities before 4.

I followed the 1 year old recommendation with my son. He totally freaked out and we even went to a pediatric dentist who was nice and prepared for it. I should have listened to my gut instinct and waited another year or two. He just wasn't ready yet. And my son has never been shy or afraid, he's always been very outgoing. But having someone put strange tools in your mouth is still very scarey for a small kid.

At age 2, he still freaked out. At age 3, he was scared, but didn't totally freak out. At age 4, he was totally fine with it. He did get a little freaked out when they told him that they would have to give him a shot in the mouth because they had to take out two cavities. They explained it more child friendly than that, but the smart kid he is, figured it out pretty fast anyways. But once they wrapped him in the velcro blanket that strapped him down from shoulder to knees, he was fine. Weird huh? But my kids have always loved being super swaddled. The more squished and uncomfortable it looked, the quicker they fell asleep, so I guess being "swaddled" at the dentist makes sense.

With my DD, she is more shy than her brother and more clingy. We've been taking her with us to the dentist when her brother goes, so she knows the whole office. She will go for her first official appointment this year in February (just a few months shy of her 3rd birthday) when her brother goes in for his 5 yo appointment.