First Trip to the dentist?

When did you take DC for their first dentist trip? DD is almost 14mos, and has about 6 teeth, but I wasn't sure when she needs to actually go for her first checkup?

Just wondering...

Re: First Trip to the dentist?

My ped told me 3 yrs old.

Re: First Trip to the dentist?

Re: First Trip to the dentist?

Posted by bicosi

Posted by 5ofClubs

My ped told me 3 yrs old.

Ditto..

and let me tell you.. that's such a FUN trip! lol

Re: First Trip to the dentist?

Sounds like fun hee hee. Glad I have a bit of a wait to go!! I probably shouldn't have included DD on dental coverage
O well, I bet if I had not put her on there would have been something wrong lol!

Re: First Trip to the dentist?

I just took a continuing ed class on this very subject over at the greater new york dental meeting and to all of our surprises the rec age is

WHEN THE FIRST TOOTH ERUPTS!!!!

that could be as small as 4 months.
The reason for the visit is to go over with the parents on dental care for the entire mouth not just the tooth due to the increase in dental caries over the years. 8 of 10 children are also getting braces too- so that is another thing the dentist goes over- there is so much that is done and said at the first visit-all you wouldnt think of.

3 is too late by ADA standards.
I know many are ampt to bring their babies in but honestly they should be in to see the dentist BEFORE their baby molars come in. You need to know what to do for those teeth- at age 3 7 out of 10 we are doing baby root canals on those molars. Those molars are in their mouth until the ages 10-12 years- thats a long time.

This is what I do all day long at work and it breaks my heart to see lil babies and kids with these huge cavities.

Some kids are just born with soft teeth and you wouldnt know it until its too late.

Bring your children to the dentist!

Re: First Trip to the dentist?

My dentist said not till there 5 or 6.

Re: First Trip to the dentist?

My 2 older kids were 3. I can see the logic of bring them younger with the soft teeth issue plus some people are just born with more acidic saliva. I don't understand a dentist saying older though. I would think they would be all for checking sooner than later, they can tell a lot from baby teeth. They are definitely old enough to sit for a check up at 3.

Re: First Trip to the dentist?

Message edited 12/14/2007 10:59:28 AM.

Re: First Trip to the dentist?

We'll be taking her in January, she's a little over two. We have to wait for her to start on our dental insurance.
IMO they have so many teeth by two how can you not take them?

Re: First Trip to the dentist?

Posted by MommyofG

Posted by MelToddJulia

My dentist said not till there 5 or 6.

OMG, way too late, at that point their 6 year molars are coming in and if they have cavities on those baby molars- the adult molars have a 98% chance of having interproximal decay=cavity.
Please dont wait that long, it is so sad to see a young child who has no control of the situation go through that kind of pain.
some kids are lucky or have good genes but 80% of the population do not.


If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask and if you need a pedo office in nassau or suffolk let me know too.

Re: First Trip to the dentist?

Posted by MelToddJulia

Posted by MommyofG

Posted by MelToddJulia

My dentist said not till there 5 or 6.

OMG, way too late, at that point their 6 year molars are coming in and if they have cavities on those baby molars- the adult molars have a 98% chance of having interproximal decay=cavity.
Please dont wait that long, it is so sad to see a young child who has no control of the situation go through that kind of pain.
some kids are lucky or have good genes but 80% of the population do not.


If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask and if you need a pedo office in nassau or suffolk let me know too.

Oh I'm not waiting that long--lol I asked my Dr like when Julia was a few months old, so I'm not a 100% sure he said 5-6 years, I'm going to ask them again, I felt that was a long time to wait too. My Dr is excellent so I'm sure I miss understood what he said--lol

Re: First Trip to the dentist?

Emma went for her 1st appt as soon as she turned 4. Jeremy went at 18 months... THAT was terrible. He even got himself so upset that he threw up on the dentist. Poor lady, although she says it happens all the time. Jeremy is almost 3 and I think he could sit through a cleaning now. He does go for every 3 month checks on his decalcification but I think in March we are going to start his cleanings.

Re: First Trip to the dentist?

Yup, we get puked on, spit on, punched kicked, you name it but it has to get done.

It is more traumatic for the parents than it is for the children.
If they show you how to properly hold your child, it gets done 123 and even though they are crying b/c the mouth is open we get it done quick.

Never bring your child to the dentist for the first time after a meal- especially if they are an anxious kid or at the dr. they act up.

Dont worry mommies, as stressful as it may seem, you truly doing a good thing for them