When for the dentist?

[BabyBearsMom]

I was reading this article today: http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/28/health/baby-dental-health/index.html?hpt=hp_t3 and thought :bag neither of my girls have been to the dentist yet. We are planning on taking DD1 this summer but I had no intention of taking DD2 in for a check up. I don't know how the dentist would expect her to sit still for even a second. So when did you do your first dentist trip with DCs? Anyone following the first-year/first-visit recommendation of the AAPD? If so, how did it go?

[♥ms.pacman♥]

We took DS for his first dentist visit right after his 2nd birthday. I think the 1st year rec is only if you have concerns about certain things. I was a bit worried about the thumb sucking issue, but our dentist said it was not an problem at all at this point. I too was super worried about how DS would do but he did great. I made sure to get a sitter for DD (this was when I was a SAHM) as i don't think i could handle both kids by myself at their dentist visit.

So far DS has been to 3 dentist visits (every 6 mo) and they've all gone well, remarkably as DS is rather anxious, and yes, not of the sitting-still type. the recent one, right after he turned 3, he was pretty nervous about it but the staff was really nice and did a great job of making him feel comfortable. i think that is a lot of it...picking a place that has a really friendly staff. DS is scared of any motorized noises so the hygenist said somethign like "Ok, i'm going to turn this on..it sounds like Lightning McQueen. Do you want to touch it first?" Little things like this went a loongg way to not having DS freak out. They told us he did so well that the next time they are going to try doing x-rays!! I am shocked as *I* detest, abhor, hate having x-rays done (it hurts, sometimes i want to gag) and i can't imagine DS sitting well through it. We shall see.

With DD, she is 2 but she still has not gone, mainly bc we were too busy these past 6 months. Plus we figured might as well schedule the kids appts at the same time. She and DS will both be going in September..it will be her first and she will be 2.5.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Took ds1 starting at 12-18m. He never had any problems and was cooperative. Ds2 started at 2. 2-3 were mostly screaming but all good since.

[MSWR0319]

We took DS1 at 3. He went with me to my appt when he was about 2.5 so he could get used to it. He just sat and watched then they let him get in the chair and they just let him hang out and open his mouth, etc. Then at 3 he went for a check up. It went surprisingly easy and he's very sensitive to noise.

[Simon]

All of our boys have been to the dentist. Ds3 had his first appointment just after he turned 1yo. He had only 2 teeth on the bottom.

For our 3yo and 1yo the appointments are only about 15 minutes total, and this includes time just sitting in the dentist chair, looking at the instruments and brushing the giant teeth. We do knee to knee appointments where the boys sit on my lap facing me and and lean back so their head is in the dentists lap. They check the teeth, we tell the boys the dentist is counting them, they do any cleaning needed and then we put on fluoride. That's it. Its easy and the goal is to keep an eye out for decay and get them accustomed to the experience.

[wendibird22]

We started both girls at age 3 as recommended by our pediatric dentist. DD2 had her first visit back in Jan and the dentist only did a light brushing with a regular tooth brush, counted her teeth, let her hold the mirror and see her mouth, etc. It was much more of an "get comfortable here" visit than true dental visit.

[candaceb]

DS started at 18 months and goes every 6 months. He goes to a pediatric dentist, and I have found it to be really helpful to me. I have gotten a lot of good tips from the dentist about how to get his teeth brushed and what is important at this point. At our last visit, the dentist told me that going to the dentist at this point is about parental education and getting the kid used to the routine of going there.

[AnnieW625]

When I asked my dentist when DD1 was 2 (2008) they told me when she gets all of her teeth in. We took her when she was just 3. We are taking DD2 on Friday and she will be 3 as well. Unless you think there is a concern I don't see the issue with waiting.

[MaiseyDog]

I asked my family dentist when to start taking DD1 and he said she she started getting teeth, so in her case she didn't go until almost 2 (she didn't get her first took until 17 months). DDs when at about a year.

[123LuckyMom]

We went for the first time when DS was about 18 mos, I think. It was Good Friday, and I came back from church to a screaming baby and blood all over the place. DH had been watching DS, but DS fell and chipped his front tooth. DH waited for me to get home to figure out what to do!

I called the ped, and they told me to take him to the pediatric dentist. He went as an emergency appointment, and the dentist did a great job filing down the tooth and making everything safe and even. He's been going every six months since. They are wonderful at the pediatric dentist, and I assume I'll make an appointment for DD in the fall when DS has his next appointment. She'll be almost two for her first appointment.

[SnuggleBuggles]

When I asked my dentist when DD1 was 2 (2008) they told me when she gets all of her teeth in. We took her when she was just 3. We are taking DD2 on Friday and she will be 3 as well. Unless you think there is a concern I don't see the issue with waiting.

On the flip side...if insurance covers it, why not go earlier?

[trcy]

My ped told us about the 1 yr rec, but when I called the dentist they recommend waiting until she is closer to 3. So that is what I am doing. I don't have any concerns though.

[Cam&Clay]

Our dentist doesn't want to see them until they are 3, unless there is a problem.

[MommyAllison]

Our ped dentist recommends the first visit be around the first birthday, so that's what we've done for our kids. Insurance covers it, and now both of our older two love their dentist (dd2 still cries when they look in her mouth). They go every 6 months.

[marymoo86]

Very interesting the various responses from dentists! FWIW my dentist said to wait until 3. Not sure why the magic number but DD still doesn't have all of her baby teeth yet. Pesky molars are taking their sweet time about coming in!

I will probably take her sometime this summer before DD2 arrives.

[AngB]

I haven't asked b/c there is just no way I would bring DS1 yet. We've tried taking him to a kid's place for haircuts twice and it was a total disaster-screaming, crying, holding him down, and a horrible haircut. Even trying to bribe him with candy didn't help at all (and they have chairs for kids that look like rides, tvs and movies at every station, etc.) We'll wait till 3ish and I have no qualms about it.

[123LuckyMom]

Very interesting the various responses from dentists! FWIW my dentist said to wait until 3. Not sure why the magic number but DD still doesn't have all of her baby teeth yet. Pesky molars are taking their sweet time about coming in!

I will probably take her sometime this summer before DD2 arrives.

My regular dentist, who also sees kids, said age 3 also. I think regular dentists are not really pediatric specialists and are not as great at dealing with children. I HIGHLY recommend going early to a pediatric dentist. They are very, very good with kids and have all sorts of tricks to make your kid love going to the dentist. I bet you even a haircut screamer could end up giggling at the pediatric dentist. My kid went in screaming from an injury and came out asking when he could go again!

[mommylamb]

We took DS1 when he was 3. FTR, I love our pediatric dentist, and she is not far from your house. DS1 actually enjoys going. He actually has an appointment next week.

[BabyBearsMom]

We took DS1 when he was 3. FTR, I love our pediatric dentist, and she is not far from your house. DS1 actually enjoys going. He actually has an appointment next week.

I just submitted an appointment request at your dentist for DD1. I'm going to ask about DD2 when I take DD1 in and see if they want to see DD2.

[scrooks]

We go to a pediatric dentist as well. I think they recomemended 2 for the first DC and 3 for subsequent DC. The theory being once the older DC has gone you are established in the practice and they are available for emergencies etc. Both my dc went around 2.5. Dd was awful the first 3 or so visits. DS has only gone twice and while the first visit was rocky he did awesome the second time.

[LMPC]

DD started going to a pediatric dentist at 18 mos and has gone every 6 months since. The "exam" at 18 months was just so the dentist could look at her teeth (that all touch) and so that she could get used to going.

[BabbyO]

Our ped recommended age 2, our dentist said not until they have all their teeth (usually about 3). We took Stachio in at 3 and he still didn't have all his teeth - but most of them. The dentist said, unless we had concerns, and we keep up with regular brushing, no need to be seen until about 3 yo.

Our Ped mentioned that it really seems to make a difference whether you go to a pediatric dentist or "regular" family dentist. The Ped's dentists recommend 1 yo, the family dentists recommend closer to 3 yo.

On a side note - I brought DS with me (during my cleanings) into the cleaning/exam room 1-2x prior to his first cleaning so that it was a bit more familiar. Our dentist encouraged that so he wouldn't be frightened under the big light at his first visit.

[edurnemk]

I took DS to the pediatric dentist at 3 yo, I felt a little guilty for waiting so long, but his teeth were perfect. DD has 2 teeth, so I see o point in going in around her first birthday. I'll ask the dentist what she thinks when we take DS for his checkup in a few weeks.

[mackmama]

Our pedi told us to take DC after the 2nd bday so we did. The pedi dentist was super great. There were some tears but, overall, went much more smoothly than I had expected.

[ett]

I took them when they turned 3. The ped. dentist practice we go to won't see kids before 3. (unless there's an issue I'm assuming.)

[MamaInMarch]

I started taking both of mine kind of early. DS was just under 2 (maybe about 20-22 months) and DD was about 15 months. However, both of my kids had a mouthfull of teeth pretty young. When they are very young it's all about getting used to the office and someone touching your mouth. DD did wonderfully and all it was was sitting on my lap with the dentist doing a basic exam.

My ins pays 100% for preventive care so that made a difference in how early we started. DS also has an extra tooth on top and his teeth are very crowded. That also changed how early I felt we needed to be seen.

[GvilleGirl]

Dd was 16m, DS was about 12m. We go to an awesome pediatric dentist. They clean their teeth, mostly from your lap but can sit in the chair. It is really about getting comfortable. They are covered by insurance so it is covered anyway. I am surprised how man dentists are saying 3.

I talked with their dentist about an article that had just come out before we went last time on the number of little kids having fillings and he said he spends one morning a week at the children's hospital. I believe a lot of regular dentist refer him pediatric patients that need anesthesia.

Here is the article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/health/rise-in-preschool-cavities-prompts-anesthesia-use.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

[lmh2402]

DS went shortly after turning one. has gone every six months since

DD will go this year when DS goes for his next check-up - that will be right around her first birthday

we see a pedi dentist

[AnnieW625]

On the flip side...if insurance covers it, why not go earlier?

I don't know. Insurance would have covered it had Dd1 been on the insurance. I thought it was automatic like my health insurance had been so I didn't even realize that she wasn't on there until I got a bill from the dentist. I am all about good dental care, but for some reason I just didn't see the need to do it before 3.

[Pear]

We took DD to the dentist at about 18 months. I wish we had gone sooner, but our adult dentist kind of dismissed our concerns about DD's teeth. By the time we got her to the pediatric dentist at 18 months her teeth were in really bad shape. We now go every 3 months. Until she was 3.75 every visit was agony.