When Did You Start Taking Your Child to the Dentist?

Just heard a doctor TODAY on TV say they need to get to the dentist at LEAST by the time they are three if not before. The lady dentist recommened after they start getting teeth....anytime after they are one.

My own dentist also does not take children until they are 4 years old. You will have to take her to a pediatric dentist. That what I had to do with my 2 year old. They are more skilled in working with the younger set.

Well, my son is 4 and he has been in the dentist's office at least 2 or 3 times but has yet to allow the dentist to look in his mouth. I had to practically hold him down to brush his teeth until he was 3, though he was been cooperating for over a year now. Some kids take to it easier than others I suppose.

My daughter is 2 1/2 and I still haven't taken her yet. I probably won't until she is around 3 or 4, probably closer to 4. I also responded to your post about the talking and maybe I'm overstepping my boundaries, but I think you need to find a new pediatrician. This one seems to be making you too worried about things that you should not be worried about. Like you don't have enough on your plate already!!!!!

I just took my 4 yr old and he did great...opened and got his teeth cleaned. He wouldn't have done that younger than 3. My dentist said after 3 yrs old to take him in (so actually i meant to take him in 6 months ago) but the pedi dentist said they like to see kids when the teeth start coming in. It doesn't hurt to take them young if you think she would open her mouth. But my son's teeth were fine at 4.

That's BIZARRE school of thinking. My dentist went to school when god was a boy, and he's been seeing my son every 6 months since he had 4 teeth. He also is of the opinion that the first visit or two it's "victory" to have them get up in the chair and be shown the equipment (letting them hold the sucker, try on sunglasses for the light, etc.) and do just a cursory exam with a toy at the end... but my son loved the experience so much (he was about 1 year old) that we even got xrays.

It was especially important to us to go as early as possible, because my husband's side of the family has bad teeth. Mushy baby teeth (they don't have enough dentin) the crack, abcess, rot even with daily care. Even so, all the kids in my family (over 40 between all the cousins) typically started dental care at about 12-18mo. Exceptions were the 2 kids born with full sets of teeth. They started seeing a dentist from week 1.

I have been taking my son (4) to a ped dentist since about 18 months. He is now on his second one (due to a move) and loves them. Find one that you can relate with and that will allow you in the room with the child. Not all do. He is not afraid of the dentist even after he had work done due to a fall and chipped tooth. He does not like the drill because it tickles but has let them clean polish and xray his teeth. They can even do most work with out numbing if it is found early. It helped with the brushing and talk of keeping his teeth clean. I recomend it. Oh one extra thing is they can also help with things like making sure that their mouth is forming right to talk and function properly. I would take her in and get her used to it before she has a problem (you never know when a fall will happen. I know I didn's) so the dentist is not a scary place.

our family dentist says age 2. That's when all 3 of my kids started going.

Hi K.! A lot of dentists won't see kids until they are at least 4 or 5. There are pediatric dentists though that will see young children.

My daughter just turned 3. We took her to the dentist about 2 months ago for a "Happy Visit." It just introduced her to the people, let her sit in the chair, hear the sounds, smell the smells, check out the sucky tool, taste the water..... that kind of thing. She sat in the chair & they moved it up & down, layed it back, turned on the light, wore the masks, gave her the bib thing. It just got her adjusted to the idea & everything that would happen.

While your daughter may end up with great teeth (sounds like her parents have fantastic teeth) then maybe just routine cleanings would be needed. I'd take her in for a happy visit so she doesn't get scared out of her pants when she is there. Good luck! :)

Our pediatric dentist suggests 18 months but we ended up taking our daughter at 2 years. Find someone who only specializes in kids so they can accomodate your little one who will most likely have issues sitting in the chair. Our daughter sat on my lap while she had her first couple of visits.

We started at 2. Not because they really needed it, but because it was a way to ease them into it. It made it just "something you do" rather than some new doctor they had to visit when they were older.

I totally trust my dentist. She has two small children, and I know as a mom she knows how to treat kids. It's nice to have someone else besides you take a peek in there to make sure everything is ok. Just because you're doing all the right things doesn't mean there won't be dental issues down the road.

Take her to a pediatric dentist. You should be able to find one that wants to see them young. Please don't wait until they are older. We had the same issue, our son had his teeth early and the first dentist we called said they didn't take kids until 3 (but they would see him to examine). He now has 5 crowns because he has an underlying medical issue that affected his teeth. He is now losing his baby teeth at an appropriate age.

Its better to be safe than sorry and the 4 year old is an old way of thinking, you want a more modern dentist! I think our son would have been more accepting of the procedure of dental exams if we had started him younger too.

Find a pediatric dentist in your area, my youngest just turned 3, and she had her first visit a few days ago! She did well. I probably should have gotten her in at age 2 though, because she already has several cavities! Poor baby. (She fights me tooth & nail about tooth brushing.) I ignorantly thought 2 was too young, and now i'm literally paying for it...out of pocket! But, i know they'll take good care of her, as young kids are their specialty. :)

I took my son after his 2 year peds visit. I was more concerned about his overbite and how it was effecting his speech. We found a WONDERFUL pediatric dentist (I think that is the most important thing - they are set up and trained for our little ones!!!). His first visit went super well - he got to 'play' with some of the tools, they had a TV on the ceiling to distract him, although he didn't really watch as there was enough other new things to keep his attention. They were actally able to do an exam, cleaning, and application of floride. I was very aprehensive at first, but am so glad that we went. He talks about the dentist often, and is happy to brush his teeth. I think better safe than sorry, it wouldn't hurt to take him...just give him fair warning and explain what is going to happen. Good luck!

My daughter was nearly three before she had her first trip to the dentist. I also have taken very good care of my daughter's teeth...including flossing once she had teeth that touched. I've never had a cavity and didn't see any reason to push it and my pediatrician agreed.

I would suggest finding a pediatric dentist. Ours is incredibly patient, has a well-orchestrated system, and can get kids to open their mouths. If there are no cavities...no reason to worry about needing any work. There ARE cases where it is warranted...I've seen some toddlers with some pretty gnarley teeth.

I think an initial check up is always a good idea, I started the first one (4) when she fell at her moms and broke off her front tooth. Ocean dental would not even touch her mouth, they gave me a list of Pediatric Dentists and said take her. I called them all and found one, ONE, receptionist who could explain why a Pediatric dentist is different than a Family Dentist for children. A Pediatric Dentist works on kids teeth while they are under anesthesia, they are specialist in baby teeth.

I say take her for at least 1 appointment. The Pediatric dentist can tell you how long until her teeth fall out. Also they can spot issues that may effect speech.

Both my girls were 3 at their first visit. 15 months is really young to have your child at the dentist. Unless your ped can give you a good reason (the number of teeth is not a good reason) why she should see one, I would wait. Maybe your dentist could just give her a quick look-see without putting her in a chair for an exam. My youngest was along when I had my oldest at an appointment (she had just turned 2) and the dentist noticed her teeth bucking out. He looked at me and said "you need to get rid of the pacifier". She didn't have a pacifier with her, I only gave it to her at bedtime and naptime. He knew right away. I took it away and now at 4 you would never know that she had one. I look back at her pictures and now I can tell that her teeth were a little buck. I think if you had your dentist just look at her (without tools or a cleaning) that would put you at ease.

I took my son at age 3. He had no cavities and he had a fun time. He still likes the dentist. The dentist said he usually sees kids around age 4 but 3 is fine too. If they are too young they just can't sit there well and listen and follow directions well. He said he sees some kids earlier bc they are special cases with awful tooth rot.

I just took my 2 1/2 year old a few weeks ago to a pediatric dentist. I felt for her first visit I wanted someone who works well with kids and are very patient. My daughter screamed her head off, but she was on my lap and did get her teeth brushed and had a fluoride treatment as well. No x-rays because she wasn't experiencing any problems with her teeth. I would definitely take your daughter to the dentist around the age of 2.

Your pediatrician seems like a bit of an alarmist :-). All of my kids started at age 3, and we have yet to have a single cavity. That was the age given by both my pediatrician and pediatric dentist. Also, I wouldn't worry for a second about your little one not talking yet - it will come soon enough and 18 months is still early for many. When I went to my fifteen month appointment for my daughter, I let the pediatrician know that she wasn't yet saying any words - the pediatrician replied that the early walkers were always late talkers. We then both laughed when I told her that she wasn't walking yet either! My point is that I wouldn't worry about it. My daughter is now 23 months and just in the last month started talking up a storm - all at once. She's also walking and running with the best of them.

4?!?! ACK! That's too late.

We took our daughter to a pediatric dentist at 2. That visit they didn't do any cleaning. She sat on my lap, the dentist looked at her teeth and we discussed her bite and what not and brushing. It was more of an introductory visit.

We just went back, at 3 years old, for her first cleaning. She did great! I LOVE a good pediatric dentist. They have had additional training to learn how to deal with kids. Actually a friend of mine is doing her pediatric residency now. So, they graduate from dental school... and then go on for another 2 years of hands on learning with kids. In my opinion, if you can find a good pediatric dentist... it's worth it.

They are patient, they know how to talk to kids, they have additional training on the pediatric mouth, and they do things in a way as to hopefully not create fear in the child that can stick with them for life.

At 3, kids are eating and drinking like an adult. They need to be seen by a dentist to make sure there is nothing weird going on, to make sure they are brushing properly and to start the good oral hygiene practice. That's just my thought. Baby teeth can get cavities too... and I just think 4 is too late. I know a lot of "family" dentists don't like to see kids until they are older because they just don't want to deal with the potential squirmies and fears and all of that. A pediatric dentist is trained in this.

When we were there, a little boy was there who was very apprehensive. The dentist allowed him to be examined while sitting on his moms lap. He needs to have some work done and so the dentist discussed with the mom various options they had so that the boy would be comfortable and the procedure wouldn't instill a lot of fear. I thought it was really great.

I'm pretty sure I waited till all the baby teeth were in before I took mine in for their first check up. I believe they were about 4 years old, mature enough to know what the dentist is and not easily frightened. If there would have been noticeable cavities or something I'm sure I would have taken them in sooner. But if you are brushing and the teeth all look healthy I'm sure you can wait till they are mature enough to sit in the chair without screaming and throwing a tizzy fit. It's good to take them for a check up where the dentist doesnt have to hurt them in any way.... it makes them brave for the next time.

First of all, my son started talking really early, but my daughter didn't say hardly anything until 18 months. Then all of a sudden we couldn't keep her quiet! Some kids are quiet by nature :)

But, to answer this question - we took our kids to the dentist just this last summer for the first time. My son is 3, and my daughter was 21 months at the time. My son was terrified of the dentist, and I don't know if it is the age or just his personality. My daughter did GREAT! She let them look in her mouth and clean her teeth and she was happy as can be. For that reason, I wish we had taken my son earlier, but I didn't think it was necessary until 3.

I asked both my dentist and pediatrician. My pediatrician peeks at my kids' teeth, but agreed that they did not need to see a dentist unless we thought there was a problem, until my child is at least 3 or so. My dentist said there is no point in bringing a child much younger than that because he/she is not likely to cooperate with someone scraping teeth, picking, flossing, etc. Some literature says that a child should see a dentist when teeth first start coming in.

I took my oldest for his first check-up when he was just over 3. We played it by ear and he sat well, listened, cooperated, and even let them floss and use flouride (I guess they don't usually try it until they're older, but he was listening really well). If your regular dentist cares for children, I would listen to your dentist. He or she does this professionally and you have chosen that professional. If your child develops a problem, definitely go in, but otherwise I would wait. My husband rarely brushes his teeth and never flosses, but his teeth are perfect and always have been. My mom brushed and flossed religiously and had at least one cavity at every appointment growing up. Teeth are very individual, so I would say keep doing what you're doing. If you can, for the first visit (when your child is older) try to make a double appointment and bring your husband so your child can see everything on you first. Sometimes that helps. We just read the Berenstein Bears dentist book and that helped.

I just took my twins at 3y, and the dentist told us they like to start seeing kids at age 2y.

We started at 2 years old.

my old pedi dentist is now my daughter's dentist. he said to start bringing her in at 1 year. the doc agreed. mainly he just counted and checked her teeth the first few times but this last time he did a floride treatment for her. like i said he was my dentist and my sisters' dentist our entire childhood. before that my grandmother worked for him at children's so i trust him very much. i don't know where you live but he is in pickerington and his name is dr lochtan(sp). if you don't live around there odbviously you're not going to see him lol. but i do recommend taking you're child to see someone. just get some advice from your pedi. and some other people from around where you live. hope this helps

well I'm sure if you asked your dentist then he is not a pediatric dentist. I would not go to a dentist or family dentist I would find an actual pediatric dentist and make an appointment. They don't do much but brush and count teeth at this age. My 3.5 year old only had xrays once because he was crying his mouth hurt turned out it was not his teeth but a sinus infection. Both of my boys started going around a year or so.

I think I started taking our children at a year or year and a half... not for actual dental appointments... they would sit on my lap and get used to the dentist and the experience there... I taught our kids to love going to the dentist!!!! I belive our dentist suggests regular check-ups at 3yr.

take her to the dentist! a good dentist will tell you that as soon as they have ever one tooth or about the age of 1 year they should be seen for a check. i encountered the same thing with dentists when i was looking for a peds. dentist for my son, but finally i found a great one. my son was 19 months and they wanted to know why we had waited so long lol. i have heard many horror stories too about cavities in very young kids like 2 yrs old and i would never put my kids through that! find a dentist that will see your child ASAP!!!!