First Dentist Appt-Question

Angel - posted on 09/01/2009

Quoting Katie:

That's a great idea. Thanks, ladies! I will go out and get a new brush and not worry about it so much! :-)

you can also get a finger brush.  it pops right over your finger with little gentle bristles and you can brush and massage his gums with it.  my son likes it for now but he only has two teeth and I think it makes his gums feel good since he is working vigourusly on that third tooth....was wondering if the top two front ones are next after the botton two front ones?

Collette - posted on 09/01/2009

My dentist said that I didn't need to bring her in until she had permanent teeth coming in or if there was a chip or crack from some sort of injury. She just said to brush them.

Christine - posted on 08/31/2009

Your child doesn't need to go to the dentist for the first time until he is three years old (I asked the dentist at my last appt, so it's not just something I am making up!) So just keep brushing and he'll eventually get used to it. They make little finger brushed that you can stick on your finger (mine came with tooth paste) That makes it pretty easy. You can find it either in the baby section or in the regular tooth brush isle at Walmart. My crazy son likes using an electric tooth brush because they is what me and my husband use lol

Katie - posted on 08/29/2009

My brother-in-law got his at 17 months!

Sarah - posted on 08/28/2009

Well at least your children have teeth! Mine will be one in a week and a half, and still has none!! But he loves watching me brush mine.. we will see if its a challenge to brush his when the time comes!

Katie - posted on 08/28/2009

Update: I've now tried a normal toothbrush and he likes that a lot better. He still fights it, but gets the idea and then chews on it afterwards for a moment or two. Thanks for the help, everyone!

Tammy - posted on 08/28/2009

hi, i am a dental nurse and we dont see chilidren until they are about 2 ish. Our little one only has 1 tooth at the moment but as soon as he started cutting teeth we got him a toothbrush and put a very small amount of childrens toothpaste on it, very carefully brush his tooth/gums as of course his gums are quite sore at the moment and then we give him the toothbrush so he can "brush" himself, he just chews on it but even that is doing some good.

Caryn - posted on 08/26/2009

Really taht will depend on your dentist. Mine won't see children till 4-5yrs so my DD didn't go until this past april (she turned 5in may).

Cindy - posted on 08/25/2009

My dentist said they don't usually see kids until they're 2-3 years old because before then they don't cooperate and open their mouths. He said, if I saw a problem or was concerned, then I, obviously, could bring him in sooner, but it wasn't necessary or useful.
We use a kids toothbrush with non-fluoride toothpaste too. My son starts cracking up as soon as he sees me putting the paste on the brush. He bites on the bristles too, but we manage to get them fairly clean!

Katie - posted on 08/23/2009

That's a great idea. Thanks, ladies! I will go out and get a new brush and not worry about it so much! :-)

Cristina - posted on 08/23/2009

My dentist said we can start coming in for regular visits at age 2. Usually they have all of their teeth by then. At my last cleaning she gave me a child's toothbrush and some non-flouride toothpaste. I put a little drop of it on the toothbrush. I do it for a little bit and then I let him "brush" his own teeth. He mostly shews on it but at least he is trying. At this age they like to do things on your own, and maybe your little one doesn't like the washcloth material in his mouth.

Kehli - posted on 08/23/2009

I asked the dentist when I should take my girls in and what they would do. They told me to bring them in between 1 and 2 years old and after they have 8 teeth, my girls only have 6. They told me that they would just count the teeth and brush them and make sure they don't have cavities. They didn't say anything about x-rays and I would think that they aren't old enough to have that done now anyway. I would just ask the dentist. I hope it helps.