When is it that a child should have his first dental visit? I heard recently, it was as soon as you see teeth! I can't imagine my 10 m/o son sitting in a chair for a dentist to look into his mouth to see his 4 teeth! What a funny thought;)
Thanks...
I took my son at 2 years of age and all they do at that stage is exam their teeth and hopefully get a cleaning done. Thank goodness I took him because he had 2 cavaties to be filled which went really well. Actually I think he likes it for some odd reason :)
Y.,
I have a 9 month old daughter and my husband being a dentist hasn't even looked at her four teeth except for when she smiles. My point is that good home care to start is all you really need. Getting them comfortable with brushing their teeth--even if there are only four! Working as a registered dental assistant for 10 years myself I have learned that the only benefit to bringing in babies is to get them used to your dentist.
As far as a pedodontist goes...if you NEED one great, but most general dentists can see children too. Most dentists will be honest with you from the start...if they feel your child needs to see a pedodontist for any reason they WILL let you know.
Hi Y.!
Yes, as soon as they have their first teeth you should take them to a Dentist. I'm an RDA (Registered Dental Assistant) I recommend taking your child to a Pediodontist, a childrens dentist. They specialize in treating children, their office is geared towards children, usually with movies, toys, smaller/specialized tools and so forth.
I recently took my 9 and 6 year old boys for their check up and cleaning and their Dentist looked at me and said I see Abby's (my 10 month old daughters) teeth, make her an appointment!
The idea behind them coming in early is to make sure that you understand the importance of brushing their teeth, even at this early stage. Mostly its education for you about the dangers of tooth decay, which the dentist will check for. They will look to make sure that your childs teeth don't have decay, they will look for problems caused by him sucking on a binky too often, which can leave their pallet mis-shaped. Things like this. Also, bringing your child to the dentist early to teach them that it's not a scary place to be will make furture visits easier for you!
There's lots of different time-lines. Our Pediatric Dentist says it's mostly to get the child used to the Dentist and the environment... then as time passes and they are older toddlers, they will be acclimated to the process. Nothing is really done procedurally at this point at the first visit, but in my Dentists case, he just makes it fun and looks in their mouth for as long as they will stay still, he talks with them so they aren't "frightened" and he wears "Elmo" t-shirts and funny hats to make the children feel at ease. Of course, he emphasizes dental hygiene as well to Parents because at this young age the child doesn't understand.
When the child is about 4 years old, this is when my Dentist starts the cleaning and "check-ups" and topical fluoride on the teeth.
But we didn't take my eldest child to the dentist until about 2 years old. We may start earlier with my youngest though, my son has a lot of teeth already for 19 months. Almost a full set.
It is rec at 1 yr old. I use to work for a pedo dentist. We just took a lokk and made sure there was no problems. No I am sure you child will not sit in the chair-where I worked and where I went we did a lap exam which is more comfortable for the child and easier to look at their teeth. My kida are 28 months and 14 months and both were there for checkups. If you need a rec let me know-GOOD LUCK! L.
The American Academy of Dentistry recommends their first visit by age 1. My son was two when we first took him but I think that was the recommended age then. We took our daughter in when she was about 6-7 months old. We held her on our lap and she laid back while he looked at her teeth, looked at where they were under the gums and just checked things out. He suggested we come back in a year or sooner if she didn't have teeth by 14 months I think he said...
Anyhow, I think if you have the insurance, go ahead and make the appointment. It doesn't hurt to cross your t's and dot your i's.
I should add, that so far neither kids have any cavities or dental problems :) Even the 12 year old doesn't need braces...
By the way, it's also recommended that they see the eye doctor by 6 months old (that's basically why we took her to the dentist at the same time-we just took all the kids at the same time to all three- eye, teeth and pediatrician)
You'll get many different responses/opinions on this one. Most of my friends say 3 years old.
My kids are 3 and 5 and have been going since their first few teeth sprouted. I did this for a few reasons. I've never feared the dentist and wanted my kids to have the same experience if possible. I'd hate for them to be 3, never seen a dentist and all of a sudden need some dental work. I thought it would be better for them to have a dentist they know and feel comfortable around should that day come that they need something done. So far we've only had check ups. Another reason we started so young was because it's covered under our insurance. We see a pediatric dentist and the kids didn't sit in the chair until they were ready to do so, my son still sits in my lap and he just turned 3. So, most likely, they will just have your child at that age sit on your lap. Don't assume the dentist is a scary place for a child, it doesn't have to be. All the dentist does on check ups is look inside the mouth, make sure everything is OK and then cleans the teeth which only takes moments but is nice because he/she can get the plaque that just doesn't come off even with daily brushing.
If you aren't already, make sure you are brushing your childs teeth twice a day, even if he only has four teeth. The sooner they get used to having their teeth brushed the easier it is in the long run.
Good luck,
M.
my hygenist said around 3. my son got his first tooth at 10 months and so i asked. she said the first visit they just count the teeth and it isn't until they around 3 that they will sit still long enough or open their mouths even for that long. i'm going to wait because i don't want the added cost of insurance until i need it. she recommended letting him "chew" on a tooth brush to get used to the sensation of brushing and you can get baby toothpaste that doesn't have flouride.
My doctor told me that 6 months after their first teeth come in is when they should have their first dentist appt. We honestly didn't go until our daughter was 1 1/2 years old. They just look in their mouth and talk to you about your child's tooth health. We got her next appt for 1 year later.
