What to expect from the first dental check up

ellewoodsSC · February 2013

I'm trying to find a pediatric dentist to schedule L's first checkup. If you guys already went through it, I am wondering what to expect from the first visit. DD won't really allow us to examine her mouth at home and tooth brushing is a chore, so I can't even imagine how fun that first exam would be. Do they do X-rays at the first visit?

kujayhawkgirl · February 2013

I haven't taken Abby, but I just went to the dentist myself this past Monday and was curious about this same question. My dentist told me that they really don't need to see them until 2-3 years old, when they have a full mouth of teeth. He said you can bring them in anytime for a "happy visit" -- where they get to explore the office and just "meet & greet" with the dentist and hygenist.

leahandbuck · February 2013

We were told the first check-up isn't until 2-3 also. H only has 6 teeth right now. We do teeth brushing at bath time because she tolerates it better, and if we get toothpaste on her it is easy to wash right off in the bath tub. We use one of those silicon-like toothbrush heads that goes over your finger and she does pretty well with it.

Chunstad · February 2013

I used to work at a general dentist way back in the day. Like the pp said, we'd take children around the age of 3 for a happy visit, ride in the chair, see Mr. Thirsty, and visit the toy box. It was an added bonus if the Dentist was able to look in the mouth. Sometimes the kid would sit on Mommy's lap and she'd model the behavior.

I'm interested in hearing about the Pediatric office stories, though.

cantalopes24 · February 2013

We were told to start bringing them around 3 to our appointments to meet the staff and understand the process but their first appointment didn't need to be until 5. I wouldn't let them Xray a 1 year old unless they were having some kind of issue.

ellewoodsSC · February 2013

Ok that's reassuring, thanks for the info. My pedi suggested it was more practical at 2, but the dental groups seem to recommend at 1 or as the teeth start to come in, so I felt like I was late. DD has all her teeth but the last set of molars right now.

aandg · February 2013

I just took my son for his first appt. They had him sit in the chair and I sat next to him so I could hold his hand. The hygenist showed him a puppet with big teeth and asked him to help her brush the puppets teeth, he refused. They gave him safety glasses to put on. They wanted to brush his teeth, but he freaked out when they started reclining the chair, so thats as far as we got. They didn't want to completely freak him out on his first visit. DD has an appt next week where I'm assuming they'll do the same.

ginamcp · February 2013

We took C right after her birthday. They had my H sit in the chair and then put her on his lap. The dentist came in and talked to us about her habits and chatted with her a little and then looked at her teeth with the little mirror tool. The actual exam portion lasted about a minute (and I held my breath the whole time because C is a biter) and C didn't make a peep.

Do you let your DD use the toothbrush alone? We generally give the brush to C and let her play with it in her mouth for a few minutes and then we take it and do a quick brush after and that seems to satisfy her desire to play with the brush and our desire to brush her teeth.

christiney06 · February 2013

There's no way I would take a kiddo this little, plus it's a total waste of money. Like others, my pedi and dentist both suggested age three.

ginamcp · February 2013

christiney06:
There's no way I would take a kiddo this little, plus it's a total waste of money. Like others, my pedi and dentist both suggested age three.

*shrug* Our insurance covers it, but if it didn't I have no problem spending $200/yr on fostering good dental habits and getting preventative care.

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What to expect from the first dental check up

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