When Did You Take Your Baby to the Dentist for the First Time?

I am wondering the same thing. I am waiting for my son's first visit. He is two months shy of 3 years old. As I am reading other responses, it seems like 3 years old is the norm. I am going to follow that. I brush my two kids teeth as regular as I can for now until the dentist visit..

I will say the earlier the better just to let them know it's know a scary place. If you take them when they are 1 or 2 and the dentist is very gentle and only really takes a look and counts teeth and then they get a goody bag then they will have no fear in coming back :)

I'm really surprised by the answers so far. My daughter is 3.5 and has her first appointment in a week. My ped. and dentist both said that they recommended waiting until 3 if there were no problems. You should start brushing them as soon as they appear, or at least wiping them off, but the dentist?? I'd wait. I have an 18 month old son and I cannot imagine taking him to the dentist...nightmare!!!

We do not have resources where I live, so I was very late in taking my children to the dentist. Some other mothers give me good answers, that I think are better for you.

http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/1887429458474958849

I am sure your daughter will have lovely smile!

B.
<3

From the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (but I doubt I'll follow this)

Q. When should my child first see a dentist?

"First visit by first birthday" sums it up. Your child should visit a pediatric dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between 6 and 12 months of age. This visit will establish a dental home for your child. Early examination and preventive care will protect your child’s smile now and in the future.

Q. Why so early? What dental problems could a baby have?

The most important reason is to begin a thorough prevention program. Dental problems can begin early. A big concern is Early Childhood Caries (formerly known as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries). Once a child’s diet includes anything besides breast-milk, erupted teeth are at risk for decay. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily and smile with confidence. Start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits.

most pediatricians say around the first birthday.

I am with Tori - We didn't take ours to their first visit until they were about 3.5, and they have wonderful, beautifully healthy teeth and are not afraid of the dentist whatsoever! They even go back alone for just regular cleanings and such. This is because they and I trust our dentist, and he makes them feel comfortable. The key is finding someone like this for your family. And I agree you need to brush as soon as they start showing that first little tooth.

I think docs and dentists will tell you you need to come in earlier because they want your money, not because you really *need* to. Same reason many pediatricians still don't have a separate room for sick kids and a separate room for well - they want you to keep coming back, so they mix well with sick (and this is coming from the mouths of many peds our fam knows). We go to the one who separates sick from well. =)

In the end, you and your SO have to decide what you think works best for you. Just don't stress if you find she is 3 and you are just making your first visit.

Good luck!

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that you take her to a pediatric dentist within 6months of the eruption of the first tooth.

Since everyone is different the age will vary from child to child. There really isn't a set age/month.

Until then, gently wipe her new pearly whites with a wet washcloth. Or you can purchase "Spiffies" online. They are flavored wipes for the mouth. (AMAZING!)

SIDE NOTE: If you wait until 3yrs old before taking them, then your child has no "dental home". If she falls & chips a tooth, loses a tooth, etc. on an emergency basis (say on the weekend), you'll have someone to call that will see you if you have already been established as a patient. On the other hand, if you do NOT have a dental home it can be rather difficult to find a pediatric to come in to see you on the weekend. Yes, you'll find someone, but instead of making 1 phone call (when you're already panicked) you may have to make several.

I think that by the time they are 3 years old they should have been to a pediatric dentist for a check up. They most likely won't do X-rays and poke around in their mouthes too much until then.

A pediatric dentist is a dentist who specialized in baby teeth and young children's teeth. They are NOT a family dentist who just does baby teeth.

My BFF has a daughter who is about the same age as our K. Her daughter got a cavity in a front tooth. She didn't want to go 125 miles away to our pediatric dentist so she took her to her family dentist. He gave the girl shots in her mouth, drilled, filled, sent her on her way. The filling fell out, went again, did it over again, sent her on her way, it fell out, he pulled that tooth because he didn't want to deal with it again. After 2 years of no front tooth she in finally getting an adult tooth in the spot.

K fell at 3 years old and broke off her front tooth. She had cavities in the back also. Bad teeth run in our family on both sides. The pediatric dentist put K to sleep in the hospital out patient surgery, filled the bad teeth, drilled and capped the front tooth, and NOTHING every fell out or had to be redone. He knew what he was doing, he does this type work every day.

It is well worth the effort of going to a pediatric dentist.

I just made an appointment for my 4yo, who has been going since she was 2yo. I was also going to make an appointment for my 17 month old, since she has most of her teeth. The pediatric dentist said that the second one doesn't really need to come in until she's 2.5 to 3 yo, mostly because we have experience with our firstborn and know what to look for and what to do. I think they like to see the first one a bit earlier (1.5-2 yo) to help to educate the parents as well as get the kiddo used to seeing the dentist.

A couple months after she got her teeth, she was a late teether, her first was at 12 months!!

I started at 18 months for my older daughter. My little one had more stranger anxiety and so I started at about 26 months. Just make sure you rbrush those tiny gums and teeth!!

My Ped. dentist says that around a year is a good time to start.

I took her when she was 10 mo. old for an issue, but I was told to take her around a year (when she had a few teeth) anyway, just for a starter visit. We went with a pediatric dentist (ours only sees kids 12 and up) and got the recommendation from our dentist for which practice to use.

My son was right around 3.

We took our kids when they were age 2. The first visit they just rode on the chair, showed them the equiptment and looked in their mouth. They wanted it to be a good first experience. My kids have no fears of the dentist.

I started taking her for regular exams and cleanings at age 2 and she goes every 6 months.

I always waited until the 2nd birthday to take my kids. I'm not sure why and I don't have any reasoning behind the 2nd birthday, but it always seemed like a good time. I also scheduled their appointment with mine so they could watch them work on me first.

around one year is a good time, however my son in 2,5 years old and did not take him yet, but his teeth are perfectly healthy! So it is up to you and your pediatrician.