when did you take your lo's to the dentist?

I've been reading that infants should be taking to the dentist after age 1. Mine have 4 teeth...pedi didn't say
anything about taking them to the dentist.

Have you taken them?
what does the dentist do this age?
Is it really necessary?

 

I have not taken them. I asked both my dentist and pediatrician and they said we could wait until the kids were 3. They said it would be necessary to take them if the kids were having issues with their teeth.

 

My dentist also said not until age 3 unless there was a problem.

 

Whew! I feel better about the fact that we haven't gone yet. Besides, the dentist is likely to lose a finger if he sticks his hands in DD2's mouth!

 

We took them at 16 months. I was happy we went just to hear everything is okay. My son had some plaque since his teeth are crowded so I know now to be careful and brush properly in those areas.

 

We go to a pediatric dentist and they suggest starting at 1 year and going every 6 months from then on. We did the first appt. at 13 months - and have not yet gone for their 6 month cleaning again (2 months overdue...).

 

My dentist is a female and a mom with kids close in age to mine.
She said the general recommendation is 3 years of age. Normally when you bring them in as a 1 year old, its so that they can educate you "the parents" on what to do and not do.

For example:
dont let your kids go to bed with a bottle
dont let your kids go to bed with sugary drinks
dont let them sip on sugary drinks or foods all through the day

Make sure you brush 2x a day very gently with a non-floride toothpaste.

Etc etc

 

You might want to check your dental coverage. With my DH's plan, we could add the kids when they turned 3.

 

We haven't gone yet. I just added them to my dental coverage and it won't be active until January. So we're not going until then at least. I'm glad to see others say 3 too, mine will be 2 in February.

 

I took my older dd at 2 and she just went for her 6 month check up.

 

when they were 1

 

My girls have their first dentist appt one week after their 2nd birthday. They have all their teeth including second year molars so I figured might as well get started.

 

We ended up going at 12 mo. b/c my ds chipped a tooth... the visit was just a "lap visit" with a pediatric dentist. they recommend going 12 mo. and every 6 mo. after like pp said... but truly it was to educate us... he pretty much said what this post says. he even suggested no toothpaste... just brushing w/water... but my dd wouldn't let us brush and so I attempted w/the non-floride toothpaste and she loves it! wants me to keep going.

anyway, I don't think we will go back at 18 mo. but will probably go back some time after 24-30 yrs old. the visit was informative... but a little waste of money...

 

This isn't true everywhere. I take my kids to a pediatric dentist and they'll do as much as each individual child is ready for. And they're very good at encouraging them! My boys started at 2 and they were given a tour and a demonstration of what the tools look and feel like. Sure, they advised me on things like flossing but it wasn't all about educating the parent. At their next appointment (6 months later) they got a cleaning and flouride treatment because they were cooperative and they LOVE going now! Both say they want to be a dentist when they get big for weeks after an appointment.

FWIW, our regular dentist doesn't see kids "until 3 unless there's a problem" but the pediatric dentist recommends starting at "12 months or earlier if there's a problem" and he claims they have kids coming in at 3 who already have cavities.

 

My dentist is a regular dentist and the only thing she does before 3 is "lap visits". Thanks for the info on pediatric dentist

 

My dad is a dentist and typically has the kids accompany a parent for a visit around late 2's to get acquainted with the office, then a month or 2 later, the kids come in and get their teeth cleaned - usually around age 3.

 

My dentist told me to take them around 3 unless I noticed any problems and then I should take them sooner.