I've been bringing my daughter to the dentist since she was 2 y/o. They want to see her every 6 months for a check up but she's been uncooperative so they haven't done any teeth cleaning. I don't have dental insurance so it's costly for us to keep going every 6 months. Is it really necessary to bring toddlers in for dental visits every 6 months? Would once a year be a good compromise?
We do have a pretty good diet and we brush and floss regularly. I do brush and floss after her because I know she doesn't have the motor skills to do a good job herself. So far, she hasn't had problems with her teeth.
Its recommended to begin twice-yearly dentist visits at the age of 1. I feel its important to take my son every 6 months.
Cavaties and decay in baby teeth can lead to problems with adult teeth. I take my son to a pediatric dentist who is very patient and caters to the fact that he's a toddler.
Did you know that the flouoride application that the dentist applies in the office is 5x stronger as it is considered "Prescription Strength"?
Therefore, even if the dentist is "only" getting a good application of fluoride on the teeth and checking for decay betewen the teeth (where you & I generally wouldn't notice) they are getting more done than we may think.
I have worked in Pediatric Dentistry for 7 years and I am sad to say how many 3, 4 & 5 year olds come in with rampant decay. Many parents think that the "baby teeth" will just fall out anyway, so why bring them in, but then the child ends up in pain! We've had kids in our office with faces so swollen it would break your heart.
You, on the other hand, sound like you are doing an excellent job (better than most!) so I would say that you would be absolutely okay to stretch her recare out to 8 or 9months instead of 6months. Your dental office should understand due to your insurance situation.
Also, once your child is spitting her toothpaste out you can request a "take home fluoride gel" that is stronger than what you can buy in the stores, but not as stong as they administer at the dental office. It's better than Act or any of the rinses that you see OTC.
The one that we sell is called "Just for Kids" and it comes in Grape, Cotten Candy, Melon, Strawberry etc.
You just brush it on a few times a week and it's an added layer of protection to fight decay.
And by the way - for anyone that thinks baby teeth aren't necessary - TOTAL myth.
They are the place holders for the adult teeth. And the primay (baby) molars will be with your little ones until they are approximately 12 years old, so c'mon... just sayin'
- C.
I took my son with me to the dentist at 3 and we began regular check ups at that age. At 6 he began losing his baby teeth and they did a panoramic xray to see how his adult teeth were coming in. Crooked teeth run in my side of the family, so I knew it was important to find out how things were coming along as soon as possible. By 2nd grade he had so many developing adult teeth fighting for space below his gum line it looked like some kind of traffic jam. Adult teeth were not always right below a baby tooth, so the root of a baby tooth did not always dissolve as it should have and a few had to be pulled so the adult tooth could emerge. He started an expander retainer. Now in 5th grade, he's had braces for one year and he has one year left to go before he's finished. His teeth look beautiful and he won't need 7 yrs of braces and 8 adult teeth pulled due to lack of jaw space like I had to have when I was growing up. If you let teeth go, they can be a source of trouble, bother, pain and cost for the rest of her life. For our family, regular checkups are something I insist on.
I think every 6 month is a bit excessive. She only has well checks every year with her doctor right? I would run this by your Pediatrician and see what she says. My sons doctor says he doesnt send children to the dr unless something is necessary until they are 3. Again ask the DR
I am a BIG believer in Pediatric Dentists. I can't say how much I think it's the most awesome thing. But I have Sooner Care throught ehState because our income is low, it's above minimum wage but the kids qualify for a medical card. If they didn't have that card we would not be able to afford it.
I can't believe I am saying this...if he's not cooperating then discuss it with the dentist on your next visit. If he takes X-rays every year at your appointment then he should be able to see if there is a problem that looks like it needs more visits.
I have twin 5 year olds, a 3 and 1/2 year old, and a 1 and 1/2 year old. None of them have been to the dentist once. I personally don't see the point. For starters, they all still have their baby teeth. None of their teeth have fallen out, so they have no adult teeth. My advice to you is not go at all until she actually has her adult teeth in. By then, she'll be old enough to understand that the dentists aren't going to hurt her. I hope this helps.
If she's not cooperating, I would hold off. There's no point if they aren't doing anything and it just reinforces the trauma. Our son was also very uncooperative at that age and our dentist just said to bring him in when he's really ready. We brought him in again at around 4 1/2 when his behavior was better and by then we could really talk through the process with him in a way that calmed him down. There was a large enough gap between visits, too, that he didn't really remember how much he dreaded going at a younger age.
I was told every 6 months is good IF they are cooperative and like going. Otherwise, hold off a year and try again.
so many childern are found to have cavities due to sugary drinks and sodas. I would not skimp in dental visits, but would talk to the dentist to see if things can be changed to make her more comfortable.
If they cooperate, yes it is best. The flouride treatments strengthen the baby teeth, which will protect the adult teeth developing under them. If they're not doing flouride or cleaning though, it's completely ridiculous for you to take her back that regularly without insurance. Just keep a close eye on her teeth, and clean them regularly yourself!
