When Did You Start Taking Your Little One(s) to the Dentist?

My dentist suggested not till age 3-he said as long as you brush their teeth, it shouldn't be necessary until they have a full set of teeth-which I guess is usually around age 3. I took her at 3 to a pediatric dentist and she did great, was very comfortable.

My dentist said 3 yrs old. But, I think we're going to start a bit earlier at 2 or 2.5. He's had a full mouth of teeth for a while (16 before his first birthday) and so I don't want to put it off.

I took my two at the ages of 2 and 3 to a pediatric dentist and it was awful. They took the kids back separately and mishandled the entire situation. Just a terrifying experience for the two of them

I then took them to my dentist 6 mos later, went with them in the room and it was fine. If I didn't suspect an issue, brushed a couple of times a day, etc., I would be comfortable waiting until they were 3.

Our dentist said 3 and that's when dd's first cleaning was. We took her to our appointments so she could get the idea of them. She did wonderfully when she wasn't able to see us.

Hi Tammy....I started taking my daughter to the dentist when she was around one and a half only because she had a mouth full of teeth and I felt it was time to get them checked out.

We took our son around age two, just for a look.

I started taking my kids to the dentist at almost 3. I started them at that age because our pediatric dentist prefers that they do their appointments on their own(meaning I wait in the waiting room while they go back). Before that age, I wasn't sure that they would listen to the techs and dentist well enough. Also, their 2 year molars didn't come in until they were 2.5, so I was waiting for them to have all their teeth. I don't think it hurts to take them in earlier though.

My twins girls went to the pediatric dentist when they were two for the first time. They have been twice and have had good experiences both times. Our pediatrician recommended that they see the dentist before three (his standard recommendation) because they have small mouths with lots of crowding on the bottom. My girls pretend they are at the dentist and give each other checkups, the staff and the dentist were great with them.

I took my son when he was 3-years-old, based on pediatrician and my dentist's recommendation. The pediatric dentist we went to sees the children without the parent being present. I was hesitant at first about this approach, but my son had a very positive experience.

I have asked my dentist and hygenist this many times and just last week in fact! They said there is no need to come in before they are three. At that point you can do a "happy" dentist visit where they get to ride in the chair and check things out or come in for an exam/cleaning depending on their age and how well they will let you get in their mouth. I think if you are good about brushing, that is the most important. She also said, many cavities occur in the molars so the sooner you can get the back teeth flossed, the better off you'll be. It's good to be proactive! Good luck!

I started taking my kids (I have 3 now) when they were 2 years old. It was a scaled back visit, but it got them comfortable with going. When my youngest was almost 3 he was so comfortable with going he sat by himself in the chair and even had his teeth cleaned!

The advances in dental care have changed so much since I was young that we are already going in for a consultation for my daughter's teeth with an orthodontist. At 7 they can apparently do things now to possibly avoid full braces down the road. I had to wait until I was in highschool to get mine! Not to mention, schools now require a dental checkup.

While I thought it was early to start taking my kids, I am glad that I did because some of my friends have a hard time even getting their kids into the chair. Mine love it! Start slow and work up to it - I had to sit in the chair with them at least once that I remember, but well worth it in the long run..Good luck.

We went at 2.5 yrs.....they did a light cleaning. The dentist was wonderful.

I guess all dentists are different. Mine said to bring them in when they were close to 1 or close to 6 months after their first teeth came out. My oldest was 2(I always thought this was the right age) when I first took him and my youngest was just 1. My oldest has done really good at the dentist (he has went twice). They took his picture when he first sat in the chair and it was just a really good experience. The office is set up to be really kid friendly too, so I am sure that helped out too. My youngest son (took him when he was 1) cried, but that is to be expected. Half of the time he cries at home. Whether it is because he wants to brush his own teeth or he doesn't want to open his mouth. They only brush their teeth and then put a small flouride treatment on them. After that the dentists takes a look for any issues. If for nothing else except the experience of getting your child prepared to go to the dentist in later years. I think it is a good idea to start earlier rather than later.

I was recently at my dentist and I asked him what age I should bring my son, who is 2 1/2. He said start bringing him anytime after he turns 3. My daughter starting going around age 4 (now 7) and she loves it. She likes getting the new toothbrush, tooth paste and floss. She was using the floss this morning. We have a good dentist.

HI--I wanted to do it around 2, but my husband felt that was way too early. I had her first visit at 3 1/2 and she had no cavities and had a perfect check up.

The dentist that I took her to dealt with small children and he explained everything before he did it. He did clean her teeth and she didn't care for that at all. Overall, it was a good experience. I think the reason it was a good experience is because the dentist took his time and went slowly talking to her about what was going to be done. I was worried about the whole thing because I truly believe that the 1st visit sets the record for the follow up visits. Good luck to you!

Wow, after reading the responses I guess I started early! My daughter who is now 10 had her first appointment before she was 18 months. My second daughter right before she turned 2. We see a pediatric dentist who is wonderful.

I just took my son since he turned three, and he did GREAT. I can't imagine him sitting still at any younger age. My pediatrician seemed to think three was the right age to take him too, so I went with it. :o) Hope this helps!

5. Or maybe 4 for the first sit-in-the-chair. I firmly believe that as the parent, however, I am the expert on my child and if there is a problem I will see it before any of the "specialists". I am very concerned about the early push to see dentists and orthodontists, as I have seen too much dental/orthodonitic work done on young children that then has to be redone when the children get older because the child's jaw continued to grow, teeth came in that weren't "expected" etc. I waited until my daughter had a good relationship with her tooth brush and understood WHY she needed to brush her teeth before taking her to see the dentist.