Has Your LO Been to the Dentist?

clineak · September 2012

If so, how old was s/he?

If not, when do you plan on taking him/her?

pettycrocker · September 2012

No, and I won't bring her in for a while. I asked the Dentist when I should bring her (I always thought the first visit was right at 1 year?) He said I *could* but it's a totally unnecessary visit where he would count how many teeth she has and show me how to brush them etc. He recs more around 3 y/o or so.

lisamoe · September 2012

No, not yet. I also asked my dentist at my 6 month check up and he said 3 yrs at the earliest.

MOONGIRL2467 · September 2012

Nope we haven't! My sil tried to push me to take her when she got her first teeth

ookayy

Kara03 · September 2012

No, is that bad??? I planned on taking her in around 2.

swimiz500 · September 2012

Nope. We asked our dentist and she said between 2-3 or basically whenever she can sit still long enough.

AmandaP678 · September 2012

Neither of mine have been yet. I couldn't see wasting my time taking Tim when i knew he wouldn't let the dentist do anything. We're taking him soon though.

SunnyMuffin · September 2012

Nope, and probably won't unless I see a problem (like discoloration on the teeth - potential cavities). The first visit is supposed to be at 3 yrs

jlsimon56 · September 2012

I was at the dentist the other day and asked when to bring LO....she said that most LOs see their pedi and IF there's a concern, the pedi will send the LO to a pedi dentist or a regular dentist. Otherwise, around 3yo.

LyndseyLC · September 2012

not yet and probably around age 3. They say 1st tooth erupts or by their 1st birthday, but I dont think anyone does that. The pedi should say if there is a concern.

I am an RDH. so I have seen some as young as 3. I think I saw a 2 year old and it was very traumatic. I would recommend 3ish more closer to 4. but 4 for sure. I have some some really good 4 year old patients that let me take x rays and everything.

Its tough sometimes for me since I dont see pedos all the time so when I do I have to remember to explain everything and show them before I do it. They get scared of things like the suction.

Mamapoo · September 2012

I've been thinking about getting him in to the dentist because he's got 8 teeth, and has 2 popping through right now, but his doctor told me it wasn't really necessary yet.

12bailey18 · September 2012

My pedi recommended age 3 so that's when I plan on taking them. I may take DD when I take DS for the first time. He'll be 3 and she'll be 2. Haven't decided yet, though.

Teresa1896 · September 2012

I guess I'm in the minority, but I took DD on Monday. I work with pedi dentists, and they recommend seeing kids around 12 mo, although my own dentist said it was unnecessary until 3 or so. The dentist said it was a "happy, fun" visit, no cleaning or fluoride, although I've heard of other dentists doing this at the baby visit!

thetwinkies&Vivi · September 2012

I called the pedi dentist when I had a concern that she had chipped a tooth (didn't,just came in funny,but looks normal now) and they recommended when the first teeth erupt or by 12 months just for a checkup. She hasn't been in though because things were so hectic at the end of my pregnancy.

I'm thinking I will wait closer to 2 yrs old though as there's not too much she would let them do, and her pedi checks her teeth/mouth at doctors visits.

Leinistar · September 2012

Our pedi recommends before the 1st birthday or within a few months of their first teeth. Our local pediatric dentist offers free visits if you go before their first birthday and includes an exam, cleaning and flouride treatment. We took DS at 10 months and it was fine. He did well during the exam but cried a bit during the cleaning. At the time he only had 3 teeth. The dentist looked him over and discussed brushing habits and let us know how his teeth seemed to be coming in. Let me know his molars and top teeth were coming in next but he couldnt tell which would go first.

Overall it was a good experience. My mother was a dental hygeinist and we've always been a very dentist friendly family so I wanted to start with the habit early.

lucylea · September 2012

We follow the recommendations of the AAPD and take our kids around their first birthday. I had terrible teeth as a kid because my parents didn't take care of them and waited too long to take me to the dentist. I didn't want their first visit to the dentist to be something traumatic at an older age. (I had to undergo routine cleaning as well as two fillings on my very first visit.) Both kids have always done great. DD asks to go see their dentist every time we drive past!