When Should I Take My Child to the Dentist for the First Time?

I asked my dentist and he suggested about 2.5 years. They called it a "happy visit" where they didn't do anything other than show my son the stuff they use and let him ride up and down in the chair. =) He had his first full visit (cleaning, fluoride, etc.) at 4.

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i just got back from the dentist. first off, they recommend coming in at 1. the reason is they like to look at the teeth to make sure there arent structural problems, as well as bottle rot(could also be from nursing). they discuss any parental problems, go over correct cleaning, flouride intake, foods to avoid, ect.

whether you go then or not, i would highly recommend going at 2 years old and go to a PEDIATRIC dentist. they are so much more patient, specialized, great with kids, the offices are geared to kids, cartoons on in the room, ect. at 2, they will check for cavities. i have been going to my dentist for my oldest for the last 4 years (we started bringing her at 18 months). you have no idea how many 2 year olds have full blown cavities to the point they need route canals. some of them even need a tooth removed. and it just gets worse the older they get.

my younger daughter is 2 1/2. she sat on my lap in the chair. they "count" her teeth to check them. they cleaned them, used the suction, then painted flouride on them( on my older daughter, i think they use a pointy tool but im not sure if they really are using it like they do on adults). she was fine since i was holding her, and since she has been going there watching my older daughter, she was familiar with the place. dont wait until they need to go, go before so they are comfortable there.

UPDATE. totally agree with katie b. dont bring them to an adult dentist, so scary. they dont like working on young kids, and they really arent prepared.

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3 is the suggested age

We just waited until 3 yrs old...he's almost 3.5 and even though I thought I saw a problem earlier I didn't make the appt b/c I was afraid of traumatizing him...well in hindsight, I'd probably take another child sooner OR I'd be more vigilant about taking care of their teeth. My son has 7 cavities and has to undergo work - which means, conscious anesthesia and nixtris oxide. I hate myself for letting this happen. I was told around 3 by my dentist and pediatrican but I know the pediatric dental community recommends 1.

My son is 3.5 and I plan to bring him at 4.. Some of my friends took there kids about 3... They say 1-2 years old is good but for us we are waiting until we think he'll actually sit there for the cleaning.. I brush (he helps) his teeth 2x's per day and my husband will floss them about 1x per week.. Good luck.. Definitely a pediatric dentist~

My was just about 2 when he went the dentist. he just loved it too.

I've heard various recommendation for ages.

We took our daughter at approx 21 months because we saw a spot on her tooth - to a normal dentist. In fact, he was a family dentist, but now specializes in gums (can't remember the term). He was FABULOUS with her. We knew he would be, because of how he is with us.

She sat on my lap, he got her to open her mouth, and he checked her tooth- said it looked like just a deep groove, gave us a special toothbrush to use, and will check her in a few months, and maybe try a real cleaning then. He said he'd rather watch her for 6 visits, rather than do anything that would cause fear of the dentist for the rest of her life. There was no charge for the visit, in case you are wondering.

I was concerned about going to a pediatric dentist, because I get the impression that they are often far more invasive than a regular dentist - putting a child of 2 under general anesthesia to check/fix teeth is incredibly dangerous and should not be taken lightly.

I do agree that a pediatric dentist has child-size tools, and more toys, but a good family dentist should also be able to handle children well, and the key is to get the best dentist possible, not the one with the best toys. If you have a great dentist, call and talk to them about how they are with kids, don't just assume that a pediatric dentist will be better. They may or may not be better with kids, and they may or may not be as good a dentist.

DS is 2, and I asked our dentist when we should bring him in. She said "not for awhile yet". She said as long as we got a "couple of swipes in" everyday with the toothbrush and toothpaste, we didn't need to worry about it for "awhile".
We'll probably take him around 3 or 4, depending on his ability to sit still for that long. :)

Hi D.
They used to say 3 yo, unless there was a problem.
The first appointment is usually just a prevent fear appointment from my experience.
can't wait to read others answers

My daughter went to the dentist for the first time when she was 2. Amazingly enough she had a great time and now when we brush her teeth we say, "pretend you're at the dentist's" and she opens big and wide! I'm glad I did it then, because now that she's three she's afraid of all of kinds of things that never phased her before. You want the first experience to be the best possible because they will always carry with them the like or dislike they had the first time at the dentist. Good Luck!!!

All of my children started going to the dentist when they were 2 years old. We have been lucky to have found great pediatric dentist in both GA and NJ. As long as your child can follow directions and does not mind having someone look in there mouth they should be O.K. Try getting some books about the dentist before you go as well. We have Little Critter Goes to the Dentist and also a Little Peopled flap book called Michael Visits the Dentist. They are both great and explain what is going to happen at the visit.

I think the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends a year old. When my oldest (now 15) was young, the recommendation was age 3, and that's when we took her. I think the recommendation had changed by the time my 11 year old had teeth, but I didn't find it necessary to take him til he turned 3. We never used a pediatric dentist, our kids always went to our dentist, they have never had a cavity or other dental issues. My daughter was a little anxious at her first dental visit and they only managed to get her in the chair in my husband's lap and count her teeth but my son LOVED the dentist and had the whole shebang at his 3 year old visit - exam, cleaning, flouride treatment.
Good luck

between the ages of 1 and 2

I took my son at 4 because i thought that was the correct age but i found out the correct age for a first cleaning is now 3. but i had started telling my son about the dentist when he was 2 so he wouldn't be scared.

My daughter was around 3, and the main reason we went is because she chipped her tooth... for her it was a nightmare because she hates others by/inside of her mouth. We took her to the "family dentist" that my husband and I go too. After helping holding my daughter’s hand so the dentist could do the check and cleaning there was an x-ray for the tooth which the technician had to hold the xray in because once again my daughter is not so good with other things in her mouth. The dentist them said she was going to recommend us to a pediatrician dentist due to behavior, I was fine with that because the dentist (who is a female) was horrible with dealing with my daughter who did not sit like an adult.

Anyway I would highly recommend checking with your dentist what the youngest age they deal with or if they recommend you take your child to a pediatrician dentist. For use our insurance did not cover any pediatricians dentist with-in 2 hours of us so we had to have a the dentist fill out special paperwork saying my daughter needed to see a pediatrician dentist for at least 8 years and recommended one near by (our insurance agreed to cover at that dentist, so all good). We did a follow up check up at the pediatrician and my daughter did A LOT better because the dentist is use to kids screaming, crying and so on.

If you dentist does not have young patients or not a lot I would ask for a recommendation & check with your insurance for a pediatrician dentist especially if your child is sensitive to food texture and others touching his mouth. It makes a world of difference in someone treating your child if they are use to dealing with kids all the time, not just every once in awhile they see the "perfect" kid that sits still and quiet during the check up and cleaning.

My son's first visit was at 11 months and it was very helpful the earlier the better.

Age 2. I know people who have waited to later because they thought their child couldn't handle it, and were unhappily shocked to find out their child had cavities. Better to catch problems as soon as possible. After all, I don't know any people who doesn't take their child to their pediatrician because they don't think their child will like it, and I personally don't think that's a valid excuse to delay something that's important to your child's health. Teeth are important!!

as soon as they have teeth, but check with your dentist.

My son was 2 when I took him and I wish I did it sooner, because it too 2 years to get him to stop FREEKING OUT. My other son was 9 months and LOVES the dentist. My Daughter will be 18 months at her 1st visit, I am nervious I waited too long again, I hope not, she loves brushing her teeth.

I've heard 2 years old for a look at the teeth - most won't sit there for a cleaning. I'm about to take my 2.5 year old and we'll see if he'll sit for a cleaning or just the check. My 3.5 year old just did a great job sitting through a whole cleaning!!

I took my son when he was 4 and he did excellent. Some kids get scared if they are too young. Maybe ask your pediatrician. Ps. if you see problems go sooner.

The dentist I used to work for always said to start at three years of age. That's when I started taking my son. Mainly to just give the child a ride in the chair, show them the instruments etc. to get them used to being at the dentist. He would always check the childs teeth while they were there as well. Just nothing too traumatizing the first visit.

The official recommendation is one year old.
But frankly I had a really hard time finding a dentist on my insurance that would see my daughter that young.
She will now have her first appointment just shy of her first B-day. I made it in June and can't get in until October! Some pediatric dentists have even longer wait times or do not accept new patiens at all (where I live at least).
Good luck!

early is good so they get used to office,dr. and staff--3 is good just to 'ride'in the chair.............try not to make a major deal of the whole thing-kids do better without parent 'hovering'and constantly saying'it won't hurt'etc,.---parents create problems if they don't stay back and let the team do their job..i know --was dental hygienist for40yrs!

I waited until my son had all of his teeth (after the 2 year molars came in), he was about 2 years 9 months. My daughter now has all of her teeth (she is 2 years 2 months) and I plan on taking her in the fall. We go to a pediatric dentist. He is great with the kids. My son's first cleaning was just with a regular toothbrush, but they did take x-rays. After he turned 3 they did proper cleanings. Hope this helps.

Both my kids started at 2 yrs old with a pediatric dentist. I think having a dentist that specializes in kids makes a huge difference.