Teething - Seminole, OK

I am also afflicted with PCOS- have been for almost ten years now.
But to the question:
My daughter is 22 months, and she is STILL cutting teeth. I thought it was over with when she was 18 months (she received her first tooth at 5 months), but I was mistaken. The drooling and acting out (due to pain) started again a month ago. And I've read that 12 months is when they should visit the dentist, although I can't imagine how they get into those little mouths without being bitten.

Hi M.,
She may or may not have all of them just yet. Have her molars come in yet? I think it's recommended they go at 1, but I'm not sure and if that's the case, my son is way behind schedule.

My older daughter is almost 4, we just took her to the dentist 2 weeks ago for the first time. She loved it!! Most dentists say age 3, but pediatric dentists want to see them earlier than that. However our insurance didn't cover her until she was 3-so I waited until then. This dentist was awesome! The chairs were more like a dr's office table than a dentist chair and they had TV's mounted on the ceiling which is what Cassidy tells everyone when she talks about her trip to the dentist. All the people are trained specifically to work with children, they did x-rays, cleaning, flossing and flouride treatment on the first visit. I dont' know that putting them to sleep for procedures is a good idea when they are so young-our dentist doesn't do that unless absolutely necessary. It's ok for them to feel some discomfort-helps them deal with life! Find a ped. dentist in your area and call to find out when they would like to see her.
She should be getting her 2 year molars before too long-I didn't really notice my daughter having any teething trouble when she got hers.

The correct time to go to the dentisit is three years of age. My 2 1/2 year old started getting teeth at 5 months old and had all his baby teeth by 10 months. The doctor suggests to go at three years old.

J just got his 2 yr. molars in the past few months and now his eye teeth are coming in. He is 21 months. We have his first dental appt. on Fall Break in October. I asked K's Pediatric Dentist back on Spring Break when he wanted to see J for the first time and he said bring him next time we brought K. for her 6 month check up. There are no obvious problems but with the exam and everything we will know if there are any that are developing.

We still use a non flouride training toothpaste to brush his teeth and brush them every evening during bath time. So it is possible that he needs the flouride, Dr. Lee can let us know.

I cannot say often enough, or strongly enough, Pediatric Dentists are Specialist in treating baby teeth and very young children. Regular children's dentists are for school age children. We have an absolutely wonderful Pediatric Dentist in OKC. I travel over 130 miles to go to him. He puts the kids to sleep to do the work and they wake up with no trauma, no pain, and have white fillings, not silver. He also takes Sooner Care for people who get their insurance through the State. K looks forward to going and has such a good time with the staff. It is an all around good experience.

Good luck.

She may or may not have her 2yr molars. If not, it won't be long before they come in. As for the dentist, I had to go for a filling when my daughter was 2 1/2yrs. We hadn't intended for her to have a check up, but she climbed in the chair when I got out and opened her mouth so the dentist had a look. He said usually around 3yrs is when he starts seeing kids. Be prepared, most dentist offices will not allow the parent to go back with the child. They say the child responds better if mom or dad aren't in the room.
J.

as soon as they have teeth is a good time to go to the dentist. they can look for any indicators of future problems, and also, the earlier you get them used to going, the easier it is. if you wait until they are old enough to know what's going on, they are more likely to get scared or throw fits.

I heartily agree with LJ. We switched dentists due to distance (high gas prices) and the new dentist didn't allow me into the room. That was our first and last visit. We have decided that the first dentist is worth the drive and went back to him. I had another dentist tell me that he didn't usually need to see a child until he lost his first tooth. I'm sure an earlier visit wouldn't hurt, but if you brush his teeth twice a day and look at the teeth often...Also, YOU (or Dad) should brush her teeth until she is old enough to thoroughly do it herself well. I brush my 7 and 9 year old sons teeth at night and they do it themselves in the morning. I've seen their neglected back molars,Yuck!

Most doctor's suggest taking your little one to the dentist around age 2. It's a pretty simple appointment and it's more to get the child use to being at the dentist then having an actual cleaning.

The dentist will take a peek and maybe clean there teeth with one of 50 flavor toothpaste and you'll be on your way. It's a great time to ask any questions you may have and I'm sure the doc will give you advice as well.

Children's teeth come in at a different rate so it's hard to say if your daughter has all her teeth now. Take a peek, there are 20 primary teeth in all, 10 at the top and 10 at the bottom.

I'd call a pediatric dentist and see what he says regarding the first appointment. Sometimes they just bring them in to have them sit in the chair, open their mouths, etc.

I don't know the exact age for all of the teeth anymore; however, I do know the wisdom teeth come in mid/late teens, early adult -- whenever it's the most inconvenient to get your child home if they're in college to have them pulled (if necessary because of pain as the wisdom teeth move everything else to make room.) Many children get braces earlier now and then those monsters come in....

If you or your husband didn't get them, your child may not get them either. It appears those teeth are being phased out in the evolutionary processes .... we don't need them to eat the same sort of stuff our early ancestors did.

We started the kids going to the dentist when they were a little over 2 years old just for a quick check up. They won't do xrays yet and will just count their teeth, which makes the kids really excited to hear how many they have and just to look at their mouth's development. It's really more about getting them used to going to the dentist before they might need to go for something more serious. Our 9 yr. old daughter LOOOVES to go to the dentist and will ask me when her next visit is. They also enjoyed me having my appt. and taking them to watch when they were old enough to sit and not get in the way in the room. The also LOVE the goody bags!

Some may tell you the kids do better when you being in the room - I have NEVER seen this to be true. I always insist on going back with the kids, even my 16 year old. I assure them I will just sit in the corner in a chair and not get in the way. There is usually a visitor chair in the room anyway. If they had a problem with this, I would find another dentist. Ours allows this and feels more comfortable with my "witnessing" what is happening. There have even been stories on the news about medical professionals not treating children well ... don't take any chances. There was only one time that a new tech. told me I couldn't be in the room because of an OSHA policy. I told her I have never been told that before but in this case I told her then I would stand by the door. She didn't seem happy, but I didn't care. It's my child we're talking about. If they are doing anything medical (even dental fillings), I want to feel comfortable with everything they are having done. This makes certain I have no questions about what was done and who did it.

You can take her to the dentist now. Pediatric dentist see children at 1 year. Most general practice dentist wait until 3 years. At her appointment they will check teeth for proper spacing and cavities. They will also clean them. I think starting early helps set a routine and make the dentist less scary. If you are close to the Daphne/Malbis area, Kelly Jones is a great dentist. She is located across from the Eastern Shore Center in Malbis. She helped my son with his fear of dentist by explaining everything and letting him try out the equipment. Hope this helps!

Hey M.,
I'm a dental hygienist, so I thought I'd put my 2 cents in. :) When your daughter gets all her baby teeth, she should have 20 teeth total. But I think that last set of molars doesn't come in until between ages 2 and 3. As far as the dentist, some will say to bring them in as soon as they get their first tooth, others will say wait till 2 or 3. I would just take a good look at her teeth and see if she has any dark spots or anything that seems unusual. And 2 is probably a good age to start with the first visit. I would go to a pediatric dentist, and it will probably make things easier. Even if she doesn't open up for the dentist, it will be good to have a positive experience there.
Good luck!
W.