First dental visit PSA!

cassoppea · May 2012

Since our LO's are approaching their first birthdays, just wanted to remind everyone that AAPD recommends all children are seen for a visit by age 1.

The visit is very quick and is mostly informational for the parents - I know a lot of you always have questions on here and they can all be addressed at the visit too. I usually talk about diet and hygiene, trauma (and safety), non nutritive habits, bottle habits and fluoride.

The exam for young children is about a minute long and really just focused on making sure everything looks normal and healthy at this age. It's usually done on your lap.

If you need a pediatric dentist in your area, check out www.aapd.org!

Here's Avery at her first official visit! She had to sit in the chair since I can't do the exam while she's on my lap!

MrsSparklesMcGee · May 2012

Dumb question since you know what you're talking about. Is this really necessary if your LO doesn't have any teeth?

mesr · May 2012

wow! you're lucky your dd cooperated so well. we took dd1 when she was 2.5, and she was clearly NOT ready. she'd come with me once before to observe, and then on the second visit actually got to sit in the chair. let's just say that no teeth were cleaned at that visit. Stick out tongue

however, we took her again at 3 and that time she had finally reached the maturity to do well. she let the hygienist examine and clean her teeth. i do think having a dentist who is good with kids makes a huge difference! the practice we go to now is the same one i've been going to since i was 3!

cassoppea · May 2012

Mrs Sparkles - I think it's still a good idea because really the visit is more informational for you. Also the sooner you start visits, the sooner your LO will get used to going. Honestly at this age, I'm least concerned about the teeth. It's very rare for a child to have dental decay at this age and other developmental anomalies are also rare (and generally genetic). I look at the tonsils, tongue, palate, gums etc. The teeth are usually fine. I want to talk to the parent to assess the child's risk of getting decay in the future and it doesn't really matter how many teeth they have at this point.

PS - happy birthday Emerson!

Crisawhit - where are you located? Are you near a big city? Not all pediatric dentists are listed on there so you may want to either google your area or ask your general dentist for recommendations. If you are near a large city you may be near a residency program in pediatric dentistry. If there really isn't a pediatric specialist nearby, often the general dentists will see children at a younger age than they normally would to fill a need. I can try to help you look if you'd like. HTH.

cassoppea · May 2012

mesr:
wow! you're lucky your dd cooperated so well. we took dd1 when she was 2.5, and she was clearly NOT ready. she'd come with me once before to observe, and then on the second visit actually got to sit in the chair. let's just say that no teeth were cleaned at that visit.
however, we took her again at 3 and that time she had finally reached the maturity to do well. she let the hygienist examine and clean her teeth. i do think having a dentist who is good with kids makes a huge difference! the practice we go to now is the same one i've been going to since i was 3!

Ha this was before we started! She wasn't impressed with the exam. I've also found that 2 is a very tough age and most kids will resist even if they have done well as a baby. And then by 3 -4 they do so much better. Your daughter sounds like a very typical patient. Especially if that was her First time there. I definitely think it's important to go to someone who is comfortable with children. It shapes your child's dental experience for the rest of his/her life.

klang621 · May 2012

my dentist told me there is no need to bring her in until she is 3. They don't do anything with them before then...I can bring her to my visits if I wanted to so she sees what its like, but they don't do anything until the age of 3.

cvl105 · May 2012

klang621:
my dentist told me there is no need to bring her in until she is 3. They don't do anything with them before then...I can bring her to my visits if I wanted to so she sees what its like, but they don't do anything until the age of 3.

Same here.

Magenta728 · May 2012

I called the dentist and they told me that since DD only has 2 teeth, that we should wait longer.

cassoppea · May 2012

Yes general dentists don't see kids usually until age 3. They are not trained in seeing young children. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be seen. I'm just giving a PSA... you don't have to follow the guidelines but that is what they say and that is what your pediatrician will (or should) also be advising.

ETA: Since I know most moms follow what AAP says and may not follow AAPD, here is what is on their website about early dental care.

3Girls3xsTheFun · May 2012

For the posters above, try a pedi dentist. Some of you might remember that Cate was born with 2 teeth and had to have them pulled when she was 5 days old. Our pedi dentist said she was their youngest patient, but only by a few weeks.

This dentist, like a regular pedi, doesn't see kids over 18. So if you are asking your dentist, they may not see infants/toddlers, but there are dentists that do.

Our health insurance did NOT cover Cate's initial or 2 follow up visits, but they were less that $100 total out of pocket because there isn't a lot going on at the appts.

cassoppea · May 2012

crunchymama11:
Somewhat off topic, but is there a difference between an infant toothbrush and a toddler toothbrush? The infant toothbrush was $2 for a toothbrush, and the toddler toothbrushes were $1.68 for 2. I bought the infant, but for future use is there a difference?

Any soft bristled brush labeled for younger kids is fine. You just want it small enough to fit in your LO's mouth. It doesn't matter at this point whether it's infant or toddler.

This is what I use, but only because it's the one we use in our office so I get them for free!

GUM® Crayola? Pip-Squeaks Twinpack

cassoppea · May 2012

3Girls3xsTheFun:
For the posters above, try a pedi dentist. Some of you might remember that Cate was born with 2 teeth and had to have them pulled when she was 5 days old. Our pedi dentist said she was their youngest patient, but only by a few weeks.

This dentist, like a regular pedi, doesn't see kids over 18. So if you are asking your dentist, they may not see infants/toddlers, but there are dentists that do.

Our health insurance did NOT cover Cate's initial or 2 follow up visits, but they were less that $100 total out of pocket because there isn't a lot going on at the appts.

This exactly. I did a two year residency after dental school (mandatory to become a specialist in pediatric dentistry) and saw several infants born with natal teeth in the hospital, among many other things. This is training a general dentist does not get, even if they do a residency program. (I'm married to a general dentist so I'm not hating - they are awesome at adult teeth, just not always comfortable seeing young kids). There are certainly some general dentists that will see very young kids, just not most. Why do they usually say age 3? Just read mesr's post above! Thats when kids usually start to cooperate in the chair!

I take the same (dental) insurance as MH does, so you should generally be able to find a Pedi dentist who takes your insurance. Just like with your own dental care, medical insurance doesn't usually cover dental needs (unless you have state insurance and that will cover both, at least in my area)

Magenta728 · May 2012

I did call a pediatric dentist. They are the ones who told me to wait. I want to be proactive, because I have had teeth problems (root canals, MAJOR sensitivity), and really don't want DD to suffer the same fate. I'll call again in 6 months.

Sunidaze · May 2012

cassoppea:
3Girls3xsTheFun:

For the posters above, try a pedi dentist. Some of you might remember that Cate was born with 2 teeth and had to have them pulled when she was 5 days old. Our pedi dentist said she was their youngest patient, but only by a few weeks.

This dentist, like a regular pedi, doesn't see kids over 18. So if you are asking your dentist, they may not see infants/toddlers, but there are dentists that do.

Our health insurance did NOT cover Cate's initial or 2 follow up visits, but they were less that $100 total out of pocket because there isn't a lot going on at the appts.
This exactly. I did a two year residency after dental school (mandatory to become a specialist in pediatric dentistry) and saw several infants born with natal teeth in the hospital, among many other things. This is training a general dentist does not get, even if they do a residency program. (I'm married to a general dentist so I'm not hating - they are awesome at adult teeth, just not always comfortable seeing young kids). There are certainly some general dentists that will see very young kids, just not most. Why do they usually say age 3? Just read mesr's post above! Thats when kids usually start to cooperate in the chair!
I take the same (dental) insurance as MH does, so you should generally be able to find a Pedi dentist who takes your insurance. Just like with your own dental care, medical insurance doesn't usually cover dental needs (unless you have state insurance and that will cover both, at least in my area)

The only thing with this, many companies are probably like mine, in that they encourage you not to add your child to your dental insurance until around their third birthday.

Sunidaze · May 2012

I should add though, that your PSA did prompt me to go ahead and schedule her first appointment (the day before her first birthday). As mentioned, she is not on my dental insurance as yet, but I am going ahead with it anyway as total out of pocket will only be about $115. I think in our case specifically, this is probably a really good idea. While I have had zero dental problems outside of getting wisdom teeth pulled and I actually love going to my dentist and everyone there...DH has a near phobia of dentists and has had problem teeth as have many in his family (one of his older sisters - I think she is around my mom's age - has even had dentures for quite some time).

M&M227 · May 2012

Thanks for the reminder! Our dentist recommended seeing her when she was 1 or had 4 teeth. Teeth # 3, 4, 5, and 6 all just came in and she'll be one so it's time.

klang621 · May 2012

cassoppea:
3Girls3xsTheFun:
For the posters above, try a pedi dentist. Some of you might remember that Cate was born with 2 teeth and had to have them pulled when she was 5 days old. Our pedi dentist said she was their youngest patient, but only by a few weeks.

This dentist, like a regular pedi, doesn't see kids over 18. So if you are asking your dentist, they may not see infants/toddlers, but there are dentists that do.

Our health insurance did NOT cover Cate's initial or 2 follow up visits, but they were less that $100 total out of pocket because there isn't a lot going on at the appts.
This exactly. I did a two year residency after dental school (mandatory to become a specialist in pediatric dentistry) and saw several infants born with natal teeth in the hospital, among many other things. This is training a general dentist does not get, even if they do a residency program. (I'm married to a general dentist so I'm not hating - they are awesome at adult teeth, just not always comfortable seeing young kids). There are certainly some general dentists that will see very young kids, just not most. Why do they usually say age 3? Just read mesr's post above! Thats when kids usually start to cooperate in the chair!

I take the same (dental) insurance as MH does, so you should generally be able to find a Pedi dentist who takes your insurance. Just like with your own dental care, medical insurance doesn't usually cover dental needs (unless you have state insurance and that will cover both, at least in my area)

My dental office has 5 dentists in the group, 3 of them are pedi. So I know that they were right when they told me to wait until 3. Dentists, like doctors are all different and will give you different answers.

cassoppea · May 2012

klang621:
cassoppea:
3Girls3xsTheFun:
For the posters above, try a pedi dentist. Some of you might remember that Cate was born with 2 teeth and had to have them pulled when she was 5 days old. Our pedi dentist said she was their youngest patient, but only by a few weeks.

This dentist, like a regular pedi, doesn't see kids over 18. So if you are asking your dentist, they may not see infants/toddlers, but there are dentists that do.

Our health insurance did NOT cover Cate's initial or 2 follow up visits, but they were less that $100 total out of pocket because there isn't a lot going on at the appts.
This exactly. I did a two year residency after dental school (mandatory to become a specialist in pediatric dentistry) and saw several infants born with natal teeth in the hospital, among many other things. This is training a general dentist does not get, even if they do a residency program. (I'm married to a general dentist so I'm not hating - they are awesome at adult teeth, just not always comfortable seeing young kids). There are certainly some general dentists that will see very young kids, just not most. Why do they usually say age 3? Just read mesr's post above! Thats when kids usually start to cooperate in the chair!

I take the same (dental) insurance as MH does, so you should generally be able to find a Pedi dentist who takes your insurance. Just like with your own dental care, medical insurance doesn't usually cover dental needs (unless you have state insurance and that will cover both, at least in my area)
My dental office has 5 dentists in the group, 3 of them are pedi. So I know that they were right when they told me to wait until 3. Dentists, like doctors are all different and will give you different answers.

Like I said before, I'm just giving a PSA about the guidelines. You can choose to do what you wish. It's your child.

I've yet to meet an actual pediatric dentist who only starts seeing children at 3 but I guess they are out there!

cassoppea · May 2012

Sunidaze:
I should add though, that your PSA did prompt me to go ahead and schedule her first appointment (the day before her first birthday). As mentioned, she is not on my dental insurance as yet, but I am going ahead with it anyway as total out of pocket will only be about $115. I think in our case specifically, this is probably a really good idea. While I have had zero dental problems outside of getting wisdom teeth pulled and I actually love going to my dentist and everyone there...DH has a near phobia of dentists and has had problem teeth as have many in his family (one of his older sisters - I think she is around my mom's age - has even had dentures for quite some time).

Good for you!

kimbo1216 · May 2012

Thanks! I thought it was 2 when they started. Luckily, my best friend's dad is a dentist and I just happen to be seeing him this Saturday. Maybe, he'll check out her mouth for me.

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