How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

I want to take Roman although he doesn't really have a lot of teeth he's eating a lot of popcorn and food that can get caught. Although I floss his teeth I thought it would be easier to introduce the dentist now.

Any recommendations in the Melville area?

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

Our ped. recommends starting at 3 years old. I forgot to get the name of the one they recommend, I know it's in Rockville Centre. I'll FM it to you when I get it later today if you want.

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

Our PED said 3 years of age too

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

My adult dentist commented when I went 2 weeks ago that he should come when he has about 20 teeth. But he did say that they really wouldn't do anything at first--it was more to get the child used to the office and the noises and machinery, rather than a cleaning. He might do a little check, but nothing crazy. Instead of making him his own appointments, I might just start bringing him when DH and I have our cleanings so he gets used to the place and then take him when about 3.

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

I cant believe he lets you floss his teeth, I have to fight Sydney just to brush them.
Like the pp said an early visit would be just to introduce what happens at the dentist, I dont think they would actually do a whole cleaning.

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

Message edited 3/5/2008 9:18:13 AM.

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

I already took my DD, she has 14 teeth at 14 months old and as much as I brush her teeth and anal ( im a dental hygienist) she still had hard plaque on her bottom 2 front teeth that needed to be scaled off.

did she sit still- no freakin way, I had to hold her down but her teeth are sparkling clean and I dont have to worry about her having hard plaque for years.


just want to clear up something-- they most def DO get a CLEANING at their first visit.
3 years is too late. Many general dentist do not treat children some do and some dont.
And when they do if its a big cavity they refer out to a pedodontist- again some do some dont- you need to ask your general dentist how they handle this, if they say do dont do cavitys on children then start with a pedodontist.

I work in 2 offices 1 in Manhasset and 1 in N. Babylon.
I cant tell you how many 3 year olds come in and they have cavities on all of their molars. those teeth dont come out until they are 12 years old.

we have kids come in that loose their teeth b/c their parents general dentist said oh its ok to leave it alone and now you have to spend more money b/c the child needs a space maintainer to avoid drifts of the teeth, but the general dentist doesnt tell you this and they dont do it.


believe it or not the rec age by the ADA is when they get thier first tooth to go over with you how to take care of their teeth and nutrition.

when they have at least 14 teeth they should be seen so that is as early as 18 months old for most.

Jody is a very good pedodontist, I know of her.

Message edited 3/5/2008 9:53:57 AM.

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

I called to make an appointment when she turned 2, and they recommended we wait until she is 3.

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

I just took Julia on Monday for the first time, and her dentist said her teeth are perfect, but she does have a little crowding so she may need braces when shes older.... great! lol

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

My son is almost 4 and is only going for the first time later this month He's going to Dr. Michelle Kun in Woodbury.

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

Hannah went in January so 13 months ONLY because she knocked her front teeth into a bloody mess like 3 times in a row and I was afraid she damaged them.

When I was there he recommeded I come back in 6 months for a regular check up. She only had 6 teeth at the time he said that and only has 8 teeth now. Her appt is for late May (so she'll be just about 18 months.)

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

DD just went a few weeks ago. I would have taken her sooner but we never thought to put her on our dental insurance.
I'm glad I didn't wait. She needed a cleaning and we go back in 6 months.

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

My neighbor waited to take her kids until they were 3 at the recommendation of the ped. and the dentist was angry...he said kids should get their first dental exam when they are around 2, even earlier just to make sure there teeth are coming in properly and to look for possible future problems.

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

DS's first visit was right before his 3rd birthday, he is going again next week.

He did get a cleaning at his first visit, but we went to a Ped Denist.

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

i need to take dd... sooo not looking forward to it.... she is deathly afraid to go. she's 4.5 yrs old though... i cant put it off any longer she needs to see one before she starts kindergarten.

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

Our ped and my ex (who is a dentist) said to wait until 3 yrs old.

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

think of it this way- how many have a hard time brushing their DC's teeth?

do they eat and drink food?

would you wait 3 years to get a cleaning on your teeth ( except for the dental phobes)

if you cant brush their teeth then you know there is plaque building up and we know plaque is a bacteria- germ fest.

drinks like juices go into the grooves of the molars and cause cavities and if you cant brush well , then it stays there.

foods and drinks have bacteria in them that break down enamel.

their teeth are just like ours.

Any dentist that says to wait till 3 needs to get updated and with the year we live in and that alone would make me think they are not with the new standard of care!

use your best judgement, dont go with what your ped or general dentist said- look it up yourself. everyone on here is up on looking at the vaccines, your DC 's dental care should be the same.

yes I have a very strong opinion on this only b/c of what I see on a daily basis and these poor kids go with holes in thier teeth and then are traumatized to get them fixed at such a young age.

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

I found this online - I think I will take Jack when he is about 15 months.

Link to Mass. Pediatric Dentist

Re: How many people actually take their toddlers to the dentist?

I just took DS for the first time. He will be 2 in April