At What Age Did Your Child First See the Dentist?

I took my kids at 3 years old. I know the AAPD now recommends a year of age, I don't think that was the recommendation when my kids were small (they are 15 and 11), and I'd have seen no personal need to take a one year old but some people prefer to go earlier

You start brushing their teeth once the first one peeks through. Then I visited the dentist with my children when they were about 4 or 5, I think.

My dentist said 2 but I might shoot for a bit before. I've heard horror stories of baby having bad rotten teeth as early as 18 months!

My kids dentist said they should start coming in for cleanings at 3 years old.

We took our daughter when she was 3. I was having a cleaning also so she watched me first and then the hygienist was wonderful letting our daughter see and touch the different tools. letting her hear the sounds and seeing what was making all of the noise..

She did great and has no problems with the dentist never has. Yes, the sealants are a must..

the year my daughter started pre-k was her first visit, they did a "happy visit" to get them used to the sounds of all the tools, and gave them special "fun" names, then later scheduled the cleaning visit

Children are supposed to go now at one year. That being said, I find it's a waste of money appointment since all they do is count your childs teeth.

If you have a child who is uneasy in new situations, it could be worth the trip. My brother is a dentist and he said that unless there is a problem (discoloration, chips or something serious) 3 is fine. I brought my daughter at 3 to see him and we started cleanings at 3.5 (which she loved, BTW).

I took my daughter to the dentist with me when i got cleanings when she was around 1 so she got familiar with the setting. All the dentist did was look at her teeth.

At 2 she started going to the pedi dentist and still goes there. She'll be 16 in Dec.

The pedi dentist did all the sealants (WORTH THE $$, NO CAVITIES) and we are fortunate that our daughter has a great set of perfect teeth and no orthodontics were needed.

I took K in at 3 or 4 when she fell and broke off a tooth, took her to a regular childrens dentist and they wouldn't even touch her. They gave me a list of pediatric dentists and I picked one and have never looked back. She went to sleep, had all her dental work done in a few minutes, woke up and wanted to go eat. Never cried, never complained about anything.

J went at 20 months and was so enthralled with everything he sat the entire time they were cleaning his teeth that he nver moved and just kept smiling at the pretty ladies.

I think the younger the better, that way they have a positive experience before they may have a cavity and they have that trusting relationship. I would never have dental work done on a child and them not be asleep during, just my opinion.

age 4. She had to for pre-k. No problems.

According to the American Academy for Pediatric Dentistry a child age should be, six months after their first tooth errupts or before their one year old birthday. This is not a lengthly visit usually the dentist and parent are sitting knee to knee facing eachother with the child's head on the lap of the Dentist and the feet on the parents's lap. Many older Dentists are not comfortable seeing children so young, but they should be able to direct you to a Pedodontist or a infant friendly dentist. Many Dentists use this first visit to educate the parents about preventative care and the fee is either free or kept to a very minimal fee. Another source of referral is to check with your Pediatrician or contact your insurance company or the www.NJDA.org.

Hi there,

I started taking my kids to the dentist at about 2 1/2 years old. It was mostly to introduce them to the environment and let them meet the dentist.

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Have a great day!
M.

3 yr because she would sit in one spot to be still and listen.

my 3 year old has been going since the 18 months and he had his teeth cleaned at every appointment. He had to sit on my lap until recently because he was afraid of the chair.

As soon as they have a mouth full of teeth!

My pediatrician said age three (if everything appears to be normal) and that she would recommend a pediatric dentist; my own said he'd see her in 10 or 11 years! But do start home care early, even before the first teeth if just to rub the gums, to get baby used to the idea.
S.

When he had 4 teeth. Right around 1 year. First visit our dentist doesn't even charge since it's a "lets play with the equipment" visist (makes the chair go up and down - & lets them do the button.... makes the tools whirr and suck and tickle... shines a light in his own mouth and mine and kiddo's so the light makes things "glow". Since kiddo was doing so well we even got a cleaning and xrays out of him. But our dentist ate the fees on it. Just winked at us and said "First one's free."

We have the coolest dentist on the planet. He's also in his 80's and has been threatening to retire for over 20 years. We just keep hoping he'll hang on just a few years longer! The man makes housecalls in the middle of the night!!! And the "office" phone connects to his house line so he's reachable 24/7 365.

3, but I started brushing both my sons teeth at 6 months.

My daughter first went when she was one. She went last month (she is 3) for her first cleaning and will now be doing the usual cleaning every six months.

3 years old (she just went yesterday!). We have family coverage so they covered her getting a cleaning. I called and asked when they'd like to see her for the first time and they said around age 3 just to get her comfortable with the chair, tools, etc. But she did great and sat still for the cleaning, flossing and flouride! I was a proud mama!

My children have been going to a pediatric dentist since they were around a year old. A pediatric dentist will instruct you on proper care of baby teeth and give you guidelines about things like pacifier and bottle use as the babies get older, as well as address any other specific concerns you may have. It is a great idea to get children used to going to the dentist at a young age. I know so many adults who have a true phobia of going to the dentist! It can and should be a pleasant experience.

Both of mine at age 2.

3 and by then he already had 7 cavitiies and had to have them ALL FILLED! : ( He started getting teeth at 4 months. I should have brought him earlier!

Although I've heard recommendations about going as early as 1, I believe my daughter starting going when she was 3. My twins went when they were 2.

actually just made an appt for my daughter, she's 4.