What Age to Start Going to the Dentist?

I started mine at 18 months, but not a regualr dentist. A pediatric dentist is definitely the way to go. Dentists are scary enough for adults, and pedi dentists just know how to calm them down adn have the "flavored" teeth cleaner and tv's on the ceiling. Good Luck!!

My dad is a dentist and he advises to take a child when s/he is 1. My son has been going since he was one and goes every 6 months. Because he sees my dad he is very cooperative and even lets my dad clean and polish his teeth. Make it fun. I tell my son the chair is a spaceship and it goes up and down. My dad had these fun tiles on the ceilings so my son is just content to sit there and look on them on his "spaceship".

My dentist has a mommy and me room and they start checking them at 18 mopnths.

www.fundentist.com

K.

I have a very good pediatrician who did not bring up the dentist question until my daughter's three-year-old check-up. I already had the appointment because I had asked my dentist six months earlier when I should start. So, my dentist and my pediatrician agreed: after their third birthday.

I don't think our dentist would see our kiddo's until they were 3 1/2. We opted not to go to a kid's dentist - they weren't on our insurance - so they get to go to ours and love it! We're in McKinney.

Ask your insurance company! ;) If you aren't insured, or if they don't have a recommendation, ask your dentist! I went through this with my oldest when he was little and I very quickly found out that most dentists (in the Hill Country where we were at the time) won't even see a child younger than 2. At 2, they were very skeptical.

My advice is to hop on the phone and start calling. You'll get an immediate feel for kid-friendly vs. kid-phobic offices; there was no middle ground last time I went through this.

If memory serves, my oldest went around 2 1/2. When I made the appointment I was told that the dentist would just take a look and that a polishing would be attempted if my son was cooperative. That first appointment is all about getting used to the routine! Good luck!!!

My ped said to get when my son turned 2.

I took my daughter to her first Dentist visit when she was four. Personally I think that was a little late, I think my friends took their kids at the age of three.

My dentist told me that my little one should have her first appt. by one year of age. Other Moms I've talked to do not seem to agree. Dentist said there is a small risk of early tooth decay.... probably not your child, but possible.

I take my children at 2. Even if all they are able to do is squirt water in their mouth and let them sit in the chair and give them a tooh brush and tooth paste. I am horrified of the dentist and want my kids to have good experiences.

I will not go to a dentist for my kids that won't let me go back with them and I will not allow my children to be strapped down (it does happen).

Little ones produce so much saliva that it helps naturally wash their teeth (as we get older we swallow it- and don't let it slober down our chins like babies -well most adults do anyway ha :P ) I was always told to use a soft cloth and on my kids' teeth but honestly, I let them chew on a tooth brush while I brush my teeth. I have horrible teeth but fortunately, so far my kids have my husband's teeth and out of all four-well my 4th will go for her first time in the next month, so three-we have only had one small place the dentist was able to use the sand blower thing on and get rid of it.

I make the dentist put sealants (my insurance pays for it) at around 6 yrs to their back teeth. Even though they aren't permanent teeth still, they have them until they are 12 or 13.

Good luck!

The frist vist to the dentist should be his or hers frist birthday or at least around that time my son is going for this two year check up soon.

My doctor says around two years old. I brought mine after they turned one just to make sure that everything is coming in alright.

I was always told at around 2 years old, so I have been trying to find a dentist for my daughter, but most are not part of any insurance networks, so everything is charged as out of network. I'm not sure why this is, but I'm still looking for an in network pediatric dentist for my daughter who just turned 2. When I find one, I'll be taking her in. I think 1 is a little young, but I see there are varied opinions here, so I think you can start whenever you feel like it's necessary. Just be sure you're brushing his teeth everyday for him.

I asked about going at age 1, but was told to wait until they were older. I did make sure that I brushed his teeth every night from about 9 months old. As he got older, he would brush, and I would "polish". I took him with me when I got my teeth cleaned when he was 2 1/2 yrs. But, his first visit wasn't until age 3. Good lukc!

M.,

I was told by pediatric dentist, and their Dr. that after they get their first few teeth you should see a dentist. My sons are ages 3 & 4 and unfortunately have tooth decay and already need work done. They dont eat or drink much sugar but some kids teeth are prone to tooth decay. My husband and I have great teeth but our boysI guess dont. I literally brush and floss them myself twice a day.

I would have thhem checked. Just for cleaning etc.

Good luck

I've heard that they should go as soon as they have teeth. So, your little sounds like he fits the age for it. You might want to make sure to get a pediatric dentist too. They are really geared to little ones.

With our first, we'd been told not to go until they are 2 years old. So we didn't even put her on our dental insurance plan until she was two. When she was 18 months old, she fell and chipped her front teeth. People told us she would be just fine, plus, we didn't have money to take her to a dentist. To make a long story short, as soon as we could, we added her to the dental plan (when she was 2 yrs old). They checked her broken front teeth and both had cavities because they weren't treated right away.

Whether you actually go to the dentist or not, by the time they have teeth, make sure you add them to the dental plan so that if by chance that happens to you, you'll be able to treat them:-) We felt pretty bad that we hadn't added her when she turned a year old.

Our son is 14 months old and we have added him, but we have never taken him in. We probably won't until he is two or unless something happens to his teeth.

Hi, I am a dental hygienist and thought I would help with your question. Assuming that your son eats healthy foods, does not consume a lot of sugar, and has his teeth brushed every day for him....I would wait until he is old enough to open his mouth and let a dentist at least look into it (without even touching.) If he ever complains of pain make an appointment right away though. Bring him to one of your appointments and let him see that it is no big deal for mom. He may think there is nothing to it and ask if he can sit in the chair. If he does, let someone look at him then. I have seen children as young as two sit down for a cleaning, x-rays, and exam...but I have also seen a fourteen year old that refused to even get out of her mom's car....so you never know. Hope this helps!

Unfortunately, both of my sons had accidents before they were one which started our dentist visits before 9 months, but my understanding is that 1 year you should begin taking your children to the dentist. We go every 6 months with both of the boys.

I just took my almost 3 yr old to the ped. dentist yesterday for the first time. I asked when I should bring my 15 month old and she said at 1 yr old. My daughter will go in 6 months so I will also schedule my son. I always thought that 1 yr was too young, guess not!
Good Luck!!

My kid's pediatric dentist said they should have come in at 2 years to get thier teeth sealed. I waited too long and now my 3 year old has 6 cavities! My 1 year old is also getting her molars. Soooo much drool!

Our pediatrician recommended they see a dentist at the age of one. Be sure to wipe your child's gums every day with a wet, soft cloth.

We use Dan Donohue, a pediatric dentist, in Tarrant County. I can't recommend him highly enough!