Pedodontist?

I called my dentist on this one and he said 3 years. That is when I took my daughter. They said there is really no need before that unless you have concerns. My daughter did have a cavity so I'll probably take my son around 2 1/2.

My Pediatrician told me to not let my kids have a pacifier after 1 because after that it can start to do damage. Even if it is a part time deal and you can't see any movement. Just something to consider.

I first took my daughter at 3 years, but you can start earlier if you have concerns. I recommend a pediatric dentist because their office will be designed to put the kids at ease. My daughter was conservative enough that we even went for a visit/tour before the actual appt so she'd know what to expect.

I have always been told to take my child a three years of age, As for the concerns you are having i wouldnt worry about them right now, As the permanent teeth come in around 6 years old they shoudl straighten out, if not they can do things then, but with you son being so young they wouldnt do anything right now anyways. I hope this has helped

Hello,
My son was 12months old when I first took him. My sons front tooth does sit behind the other. I just found out that my sons Jaw did not grow in the way it needed to. His top jaw is fine but the bottom is not. I can tell you a way to get rid of the binkie you have to take all of them and do the same thing. What you do is take them and cut a little hole in them leave them like that for a week. Then the next week cut a little more. Keep doing that until he just gives it up. Once he understands he can not get the sucking that he wants he will give it up. He needs to find another way to calm himself. Hope I was some help any more questions let me know. Good luck and God Bless.

My children all started going at 2 years old. We use Dr. Korsten (he is a pediatric dentist in Lee's Summit). I highly recommend him if he is in your area. I know you didn't ask for advice on this....but I would get rid of the pacifer as soon as you can. It can cause damage even with limited use. Our dentist said to get rid of them by age 1. But, you have to do what works for you and your son. If you have concerns call the dentist and see what they say. They may say it is no big deal until age 2...but that way you won't be worried. Best of luck.

I started taking my son for regular check ups at 18 months. Hope this is helpful.

I took my son to the dentist for the first time a couple months before he turned two. Any age is fine, especially if you have questions.

I would DEFINATELY drop the paci, the sippy cups are okay but its best to not lay them down with them.

Hey there, I started taking my 4 1/2 year old twins to the dentist when they turned two like the pediatrician suggested. & I think the earlier you start them, the less traumatic it is on them. I have some friends who waited til their kids were 4 & 5 to take them, & they had nothing but meltdowns at the dentist. So don't wait too long. Plus those kids have cavities, & mine don't. Find a good pediatric dentist near you that is very good with kids, & your little boy will end up thinking its fun. My kids still don't mind their trips to the dentist!

K.,

We were encouraged to take our daughter to her first dentists visit at 1 year. It took a while to find a dentist that would take a child under three, so her fisrt visit was at 18 months. Basicly they just wanted to get her used to the idea. We did not even do a cleaning the first time. They looked in her mouth and talked about what I should be looking for. We have been back about once every six months. The last time we cleaned her teeth and they painted a sealer on them for extra protection. We found our pediatric dentist by asking for a referal from our regular dentist. Good luck.

J.

Binki's and bottles can still cause teeth movement no matter what, so you may want to try to get him off those things as soon as possible if he has his front teeth all the way in. Sippy cups can actually move teeth too, so those are even supposed to be short-term... the PAT teacher and the doctor has told us that teaching to drink form a cup as soon as possible will be really great in the longrun especially because they can cause teeth movement...

I would not stress too much on his teeth. They are baby teeth. I have asked my dentist how soon does he want to see them. Dr. Michel. He is wonderful and he said maybe a little before they turn 3 if not 3 years old. If you are brushing his teeth you are doing a great job because you are training him to brush and he will want to brush his own teeth soon if he isn't already. Make it a routine. The pacifier really doesn't start affecting their teeth that soon. At 2 you might want to ween him off only so it won't delay his speech. That is what happened to my daughter. She wanted the pacifier so much that she would not talk. Now that I have taken it from her during the days she is talking alot more. There is nothing wrong with giving it to him for naps and to sleep. It is easy on both of you. Just gradually start taking it away and pretty soon he will get used to it not being there. They will eventually lose those teeth and my dentist said that the next teeth they will get a protective sealant put on their teeth to make them stronger. Straws are the best thing for him so if he prefers that then he is doing good. To tell you the truth straws are more healthy for us to drink from too so that the juice, which is really acidic or other drinks we are having doesn't have direct contact to our teeth as much. But if it meant using a regular cup or a sippy go with the sippy everytime. People always want to nag about not using them but they are not cleaning up the mess when something is spilled. A regular cup should be introduced gradually while you are there holding it for them. If you are not there to put it to their lips and take it from them when they are done, a sippy cup is definitely the best way to go then. Good luck and take care

Well, it wouldn't hurt to get his teeth checked if it really worries you, but to be honest, since he's just getting teeth, they move and change position. Just because they look like they're wrong right now doesn't mean they'll stay that way when they're fully in. Some of my son's teeth came in crooked but straightened up after they fully came in. Myself, when my permanent teeth came in they were almost turned the wrong way but by the time they came in fully they were perfectly straight. My doc told me pacis weren't really a worry with teeth, only if they kept them past about two or so. My son never took one, so it wasn't an issue for us.

Hi K.,
I had just read in a magizine about a couple of these issues you are talking about.
pacifier I read that as long you are using the pacifier in a controled way (as you are) and only at needed times and trying to wean from the pacifier you are fine.

Sippy cups on this issue it says that you should only put water in them and they should only be given the sippy cups with their meals at the table. Which in my opinion I see nothing wrong with what you are doing.

Dentist on this issue it says that when your child (no matter what age) gets their teeth they need to be seen by the dentist just to make sure everything is coming in ok.

In my opinion the pacifier is not something you can just take away and be done with in 1 day and every child is different with this issue. I say keep going you are doing great.
On the sippy cup issue I don't let my daughter carry her cup around all day with something in it at all times, but I let her have her cup after her meal that way she isn't getting filled up on what she has to drink.
I think you are doing an awesome job and keep it up. I would make an appointment for him to a dentist and at least get his teeth looked at and then go from there. Goodluck W. mom of 4

Hi K.. I used to work in a dentist office for 17 years. We didn't recommend bringing children in until age 3 unless you notice black spots on any teeth after brushing or a broken tooth. While he is still a little young to go to the dentist, it's not a bad idea to talk to his doctor the next time you take him in. What I experienced with my daughter and am experiencing with my son is the different way the upper palate and the lower jaw grow from each other and at different times. Most children grind their teeth as well which causes the teeth to shift and move and not align with each other. My son, who is 3, is going to the dentist I used to work for tomorrow for his first visit. He does have one of his front teeth tucked behind a lower front tooth, but that is from the grinding he does. It's very common and normal for children to grind. Most people do it too and don't even realize it. My daughter will have braces due to her upper and lower jaws growing at different speeds and times and crooked teeth. I'm sure his doctor will tell you too keep an eye on things and not to worry.

Good luck, I hope I could help.