First Dentist Appointment

Children dont need to see a dentist until they are two years old just brush her teeth at least once a day to keep the sugars in drinks (formula, breast milk, regular milk, juices etc..) from causing tooth decay and she will have nice healthy teeth for her first visit.

now will be the perfect time to call the dentist and ask them.Some will tell you now and some will say wait til their a year old.

I started taking my son with me when he was around that age so he could get used to the office. The dentist said he would do his first cleaning around 3.

I think the "norm" is to take your child to the dentist right around their 3rd birthday ... however, you might want to check with your pediatrician to see what they recommend. :)

Hi C.: I had worked in dental offices for many years, mostly specialty practices, so if I remember correctly it was suggested to begin at age 2-3 yrs. old. Usually it is good to have tham go in once with you and sit in the chair etc. to see it is an ok place. My son is 8 1/2 and he has always loved going to the dentist (mainly because of the junky toys he gets each time!) I would suggest calling your family dentist to see what age they recommend. Also, there are pediatric dentists that specialize with kids, but we have always just used our family dentist. Of course, if there are any problems before she gets to be 2 or 3 call also. Hope this helps some. Of course-keep brushing those little chompers and use a toothpaste that isn't harmful if they swallow (which they do at that age!) L. G.

I took my son at 1 yr and now we're going again @ 2 1/2 in a few weeks.

Here's a link about child dental health in general:
http://mertesdental.com/parent_guidelines.html

As you can see from all the other responses, it seems to vary from dentist to dentist. My dentist recommends seeing kids at one year old, then every six months from then on out. My pediatrican recommends between one and two years (I think depending on how many teeth they have). I just took my 14 month old, and she has ten teeth with molars coming in. My son went around two years old. Like another mom said, I just want to be proactive about this. I also started brushing their teeth very early - actually their gums while they were teething! The more you brush their gums, the easier time they will have teething! I'd ask your pediatrician, or find a pediatric dentist to see what they recommend.

i tried taking my 18 month old last time, and she was SOOOOOO freaked out she wouldn't open her mouth. to me it wasn't worth forcing, so we're waiting. i have a great usborne book called going to the dentist-- it's AWESOME! we like to play dentist too, and stick straws and toothbrushes in our mouths or in baby doll's mouth... just to get used to the idea. when we brush teeth we talk about it too.

If you see a family dentist yourself, I would talk to them about when they like to first start seeing children. If you want to take your child to a childern's dentist I would just call around. I always thought it was around the age of 2, but when I started calling around most of the children's dentist in my area didn't like to see a child before they are 3. I take my son to my family dentist. He is wonderful. The first visit was 6 months ago( my son was 3 1/2) and the dentist got him up in the chair after me and just basically counted his teeth, trying to make a son comfortable with the whole situtaion. We have appointments next week and this time my son will actually get his first cleaning.
Talk with your dentist, talk with children's dentist. If you aren't brushing at home yet, I would start. They are many different products out there without floride for young children.
Good Luck!

My dh and I see a family dentist and when our dd was little he said he wanted to see her around age 1. However, I looked for the advice of a pediatric dentist and he said not till age 3 unless something is wrong. He said before that, all they will do is count teeth and maybe brush them..which we can do at home. He was honest enough to tell me that it was a waste of time and money beforehand unless there was a problem (loose tooth, discoloration). So, we now see a pediatric dentist (that one) and my dd has been going since just after her 3rd birthday. She will be 9 next month and loves him! My son will be 3 on Aug. 4 and goes for his first appt. the following week.
Good luck with your choice. From my experience, family dentists want to see them earlier, where pediatric dentist (and they specialize in ONLY children) say wait till after 3.

I was confused about this too. I took my oldest when he was 2 but they told me there was really no need to bring him in before he was 3 unless you have a reason to be concerned. When we were there he wanted no part of it, he would not open his mouth. I brought him when he was 3 he did rather well. My baby had a mouth injury at daycare at 18 mos. (several teeth were knocked loose and others were chipped). I brought him to the dentist at children’s and he did well. I would ask your pediatrician at here 18 mo appointment to take a look at her teeth and have the doc determine weather it would be necessary. Most dentists will not see a child before he/she is 3 years old. If you need to take her before, try the dental office children’s medical center.

We had brought my now two and a half year old daughter in for her very first dentist appt. when she was 12months old. Her dentist said that she really didn't need to come in until she was two, but since she had a mouth full of teeth so he went ahead and checked her out! I think when you feel your daughter is ready to see the dentist its your choice, no one elses, unless her pediatritan says that she needs to see the dentist!

Hello,
My brother n law is our dentist and he told me a child's first dental visit should be at age 3. My kids got their teeth really early, starting at age 4 months!!! He said that has no bearing on it. Age 3 is a good time to start. Good luck, S.

C.,

I just went to the dentist myself about two weeks ago. I was asking my doctor the same thing. They told me 3 was a good age. They said to start bringing her with me so she can get used the sounds and smells of the office. Her first visit they may only get her to let them see her teeth, but may get as much as polishing them done. It could be a slow process.

Hope this helps!
S.

Actually i had this same question about my 4 year old. When i saw my dentist a couple weeks ago he told me that there is really no need for a child this little to see a dentist. When he is 5 or 6 and getting closer to losing teeth or starting to get his permanent teeth is when they need to see a dentist and start getting regular cleanings.

My dentist suggested waiting till about age 3 just because things can look kinda scary to a young toddler. Also by then most of the baby teeth have come in. He did let me know that I could bring my daughter in earlier if I noticed any problems with her teeth or that I could try a pediatric dentist if I really wanted her seen earlier than his recommendation.

Our ped said to wait until they are 3-4 years old. My daughter had some discoloration on her front teeth and she told us it was normal. When we first saw the dentist when she was about 3 we were informed that the marks were NOT normal and the were early signs of decay cause by night time nursing. Our dentist suggests that toddlers are seen around 18 months of age or sooner if you see a reason to be seen. Considering our situation with my daughter's teeth, I tend to agree with the dentist. Better to be safe than sorry later. Hope this helps!

Most dentists don't see kids until they are two years old, but there are some that will take them as early as a year old. As long as you brush her teeth she should be fine until she is 2 then go ahead and get her into the dentist.
D.

I am 31 and have been married for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7, and 4.

If it looks like she has good teeth and you don't let a bottle in bed with her/let it sit in her mouth, then I would wait till she at least has a full set of teeth. I'm taking my 2 1/2 year old for the first time next month.

My mother, an RN says, that you should take them soon after they have several teeth - by 1 or 1.5 at the latest. However, both my pediatrician said and our family dentist's policy is to not see children until they are 3. I think that is way late, but can't get anyone to look at our daughter's teeth before that. Maybe your dentist is different - I would ask.

So, I have the pediatrician check them at each appointment and get in her mouth myself to get her familiar with having someone's fingers in her mouth and to make sure there aren't any problems.

Good luck!

My dentist likes to see kids around a year old, just to make sure teeth are coming in correctly and that there aren't any problems. Then she starts seeing them at age 3 for cleanings

Hope that helps!

My dentist said to bring my little one in at 3 yrs, unless there are apparent issues. We brush and keep an eye on things. So far so good. Good luck with your little smile! Shannon G.

My kids all have a full mouth of teeth by the time they are 12 months old. Our dentist said you should start brushing their teeth when they get them, but they don't need to see the dentist until they turn three. It has worked well for us.

C.,

You will need to call the dentist that you would like to take your daughter to. You can ask them at what age to bring her in. I have 4 children and they see a pediatric dentist who started seeing them at 18 months. If you ever have a concern about your daughter's teeth you should always contact her dentist regardless of her age. Enjoy your little blessing(s)

Jacki

I had a dentist appointment yesterday and I asked my dentist when I should have my two year old come in. He stated that between 3 and 3 1/2. They will polish her teeth and then around 4 they will start floride. Hope this helps.

A little about me: I work full time, teach part-time, married with one beautiful 2 year old girl and trying for another!

Check with your specific dentist to see what they recommend. I took my oldest to the dentist when she was 2 and all they did was count her teeth, and brush them with a regular toothbrush & toothpaste. When she was almost 4 when she started preschool and needed a dental exam, and that is when they did x rays and a cleaning.

Our dentist told us that she didn't need to see our kids until they turned 3, unless there is a problem. I would contact your family dentist to ask what their policy is.

Hi C..

My daughter turned 2 the first week of July, and she went to the dentist just last week for the first time. I asked my family dentist when I should bring her in, and she said not until 3, but I called a pediatric dentist and he said she could come in at 2. My daughter was an early teether, and had her 2nd year molars well before her 2nd birthday. If you need a pediatric dentist, I recommend Dr. Murray Dock from Cincinnati Children's Dentistry. (I actually got his name from lots of moms right here on mamasource, and he was incredible!) Hope this helps.

I took my daughter to a pediatric dentist at one year old. This is what is recommended by the ADA. She is now going every 6 months just like I do. She sits in my lap in the dental chair for her cleaning and exam and the doctor is great with her. I just would prefer to be proactive with things like this. And my father is a dentist (in New Orleans) so this is what I grew up with!!

Sounds like your daughter is a late bloomer... 5 teeth isn't that many for 16 months. Unless you feel like there's something wrong with the teeth she has, I wouldn't worry about taking her until she at least gets her 1st set of molars. I only took one of my 3 boys at age 2 because of some strange discoloration and chipping... turned out to be no big deal. He is now 3 and goes for regular cleanings.

Hi my name is R. I live in Ft Branch. I am a mother to a soon to be 3 yr old son and 6 mo old daughter. I am a dental assistant at a dental office in Eville. All kids are different but usually wait until all their teeth are in and age between 2-4 before their first visit depending on how well they can sit still. As long as you are brushing for her she should be fine and watch her sugar and juice intake. Hope that helps good luck