How old was LO when you took them to the dentist?

danandkelly

I'm thinking I need to take Natalie but I'm not sure if she's still too young. 

I was planning on taking her around her 2nd birthday.

When did you take your kids?

Mrs.K&C

My dentist said she didn't want to see her until she was about 3, but that we should bring her in with us for one of our appointments before we take her just to get her used to the idea. She said as long as we're brushing her teeth and using flouride, barring any emergencies or issues, she's fine with waiting until 3.

Well, we're not using flouride drops because they gave her a rash that is a b!tch to get rid of called perioral dermatitis so I'm definitely not going to give her flouride drops again. I personally would like her to be seen earlier than 3, so I think I'm going to make an appt for this summer when she'll be almost 2. Just for a check up, at least. 

SweetieP

Ryan is three and we've had one failed dental visit.  We'll try again in a month or so.

ashleyhuney

We took J at 13 months because I noticed plaque on his teeth.  He had to have cleaning, but we made it through.  We'll be going every 6 months to keep his teeth as healthy as possible.  We brush and he doesn't eat sugar or sticky fruit snacks, so it's just genetics.  I'm going to talk to his doc and dentist about using Xylitol like I have been that has made such a difference for me.

Mrs_Shmoopie

Uh... I haven't taken J yet.  Heh, guess I should get on that soon, huh? 

tiki_t

2 and it was a total nightmare. And this was with a pediatric dentist's office.The hygienist wasn't accommodating at all. They expected a 2 year old to open their mouth and follow commands like an adult. Yeah, that didn't happen and when that didn't happen, she got mad at me. I was juggling 2, 2 year olds and she didn't even attempt to help. She just barked at me.

Since it wasn't working with the hygienist and she wasn't flexing at all on the topic, I asked to see the dentist and asked if we could do the appointment sitting up because they both freaked out when they had to lay down (they associate that with nap time and it wasn't their nap time so naturally they freaked out). After seeing what was going on, the dentist agreed, we went into the waiting area, had them sit on the couch she gave the exam a try. That worked. It was educational to know which teeth came in and which still needed to come in. 

They also chewed me out for not reading them dentist specific books before coming. I think they really had their heads up their butts because at 2, no matter what doctors office you took them at, they were scared and no book was going to cure that.

I'm going to try again at 3. They are nearing that age and are better about taking direction.  I'm seriously thinking about choosing a different pediatric dentist though. I can't believe that every toddler that comes in is that cooperative. It makes me wonder if their initial inflexibility is a sign of inexperience with younger children.

futrkingsley

We have taken DS to the dentist with us before and I hope to get him in to be seen this summer when he is 2.  But our dentist doesn't really see patients until they are 3.  If they don't want to do it or it doesn't go well I will find him a pediatric dentist that specializes in young children. 

Our dentist gives us toothbrushes for C and he's been brushing his teeth since they came in at 7 months.  He's actually pretty good at it now -- he knows how to brush and he flosses his front teeth and brushes his tounge.  He's an odd duck.

caseyleigh77

I took Cooper when he was 2..bad experience at the pediatric dentist in Gold River...they wouldnt let me back with him and I swear they had sound proof walls. He went again 6 months later and had to be swaddled cause he was kicking the hygenist....so we went again a few months back to a different pediatric dentist in El Dorado Hills...and LOVED THEM! he did great and I even got to go be with him! I think it was called Magic Smiles..they have an office in Folsom and EDH...we chose to go to EDH cause SIL takes DD there and loved them too.

 

Good Luck!