When should I take My 1yr old to the dentist?

Hollie - posted on 08/19/2009

I took my son at 2 and the dental assistant just did a quick cleaning and a quick look. The next visit he was more comfortable and we were able to get a better cleaning. Look for a dentist that caters to kids.......sunglasses, balloons, prizes, no cavity club are a few things my dentist does. My kids like the dentist as much as the circus.

Stephonie - posted on 08/19/2009

My pediatrician tells me that it's best when my child is 3yrs. (he's 2 now)

Annmarie - posted on 08/19/2009

i took yasemin with me when i went for a routine check up when she was about 9 months old, she had a few teeth by then, the dentist was gentle played a game with her and it was ok, now she loves going to the dentist she is 3 and thinks its great fun. i just wanted to check everything was growing nicely etc, its good if you go at the same time, show them its ok nothing to fear or worry about good luck

Celeste - posted on 08/12/2009

I took my son to the dentis when he was two (I saw something that looked like a cavity). Anyway, by then he had 13 cavities. Apparently it was not a good idea to let him sleep w/ juice and milk. Also, although we brushed his teeth everyday, we use a non-flouride toothpaste which I think didn't help as much as I thought it did. Suffice to say I either had to pay the hefty dental charges or let him live with it till his new ones grow in at 7. 5 years was a long time so I paid the bill and we switched to water at bedtime. My second child is now two and her teeth looks fine so I'm waiting it out. But we've learned our lesson from the first one...no more milk/juice in bed and regular kiddie toothpaste for them.

Denise - posted on 08/12/2009

I actually just took my 2 year old daughter with me to my cleaning yesterday so she could see what happens (they let her ride in the chair & she loved it). The hygenist made it seem like I could start bringing her when she is 3, but when I was talking to the receptionist about setting up an appointment, she said that as long as I do not see any issues (and since my daughter does not go to bed with a bottle and her vitamins have fluoride), I don't need to bring her until she is 4 or 5.

Linda - posted on 08/10/2009

It's all gonna depend on where youplant to take her and what their policies are. Good Luck. :)

Linda - posted on 08/10/2009

I actually just asked our new dentist about this, because I have a 19 month old. They said if the child is cooperative they can see them as young as 2 yrs (unless there seems to be a problem w/the theeth then younger) but as a general rule they see them around 3.

Melissa - posted on 08/09/2009

my son has 8 teeth and hasnt seen a dentist yet we just brush his teeth with the little einstein oral-b tooth paste its the stages one and it is safe if they swallow some.

Jennifer - posted on 08/04/2009

I started at 3. My son went on my cleaning visit to see what happens and he is super inquisitive and the hygenist was Great with him! When it came his turn - the first time he sat on my lap, but let them clean his teeth. His second visit - he sat all by himself! So proud!! :)

Robyn - posted on 08/04/2009

Thanks Everyone!

Michelle - posted on 08/04/2009

I started to take mine around 18 months. I have a great dentist and she just worked every visit to make them comfortable and get used to her and the process. The first 3 or 4 visits were merely sitting in the chair, opening mouth and touching instruments. Each visit was a little more and now my 4 year is able to tolerate a full cleaning and sits for x-rays. My 2 year had most of his teeth cleaned at the last visit. The main thing is find a good dentist you are comfortable with and that is comfortable to take it slow with children. If they stop at the first sign that the child is upset or uncomfortable then future visits will be more successful.

Stacie - posted on 08/03/2009

Experts say that you should take your child to the dentist either when your child turns one year old OR no later than 6 months after the eruption of their first tooth. I took my son at around 15 months because his first tooth came at around 8 months old. He is now 2 1/2 yeas old. He goes to a pediatric dentist and all they do is look in his mouth and check his teeth, gums and tongue to make sure everything looks good in there. They have not yet cleaned his teeth or taken x-rays....they want him to get used to the dental visits before trying that out. My pediatrician also advised us to have him visit the dentist as well.

Kristina - posted on 08/02/2009

my dentist told me i should bring my daughter in at 3 years old for a 'counting' and a polish if she will let them. they said that would prepare them from the visit before starting school :) BUT they told me to make sure to brush everyday & floss as often as possible

Angel - posted on 08/02/2009

My youngest started having problems from the day she got her first two teeth... they were kind of greenish. I took her to a dentist who told me not to worry about it because I was breastfeeding... then I was told by a different dentist that I need to go through the 'tiny teeth program' before she could get a referral.. now, she's two and on the list for dental surgery because she has two bad teeth... If you have concerns about ehr teeth, take her in!! Otherwise, there are programs through health units that offer check-ups... they use flavored gums to get intot heir mouths'!

Jennifer - posted on 08/02/2009

My 6 month old son has his first dentist appointment tomorrow. He actually just turned 6 months today :) It is recommended they go every 6 months. To get them familiar with the whole dentist thing. They do not need teeth to go see the dentist ;)

Latisha - posted on 08/02/2009

kids need to go to the dentist as early as 6 months old.

Mara - posted on 08/02/2009

I started taking my 3 yr old to the Dentist when she was 18mos old. I was recommend by my friend that worked in a dental office that it is good to let them have many good check ups before they have to have anything done that would be scary. She loves going to the dentist now and is always jealous when my son has to go and she doesn't have a scheduled appointment. She is familiar with the different tools used and that she has to be ready to open wide so they can count her teeth. It has also helped with her being more cooperative when it comes to brushing and flossing correctly. I suppose each child is different but this is what worked for us.

Kim - posted on 08/02/2009

Our dentist told us that a good time to start taking your children to the dentist would be when they can sit through getting a haircut and be still. He said that there really is no certain age.

Chris - posted on 08/02/2009

A dentist told us a child should see the dentist at 3 years old. They are too young before this age.

Rae - posted on 08/01/2009

i took mine at age 1 it is only about a 10 min app.

Julie - posted on 08/01/2009

I was told between the age of 3 and 4. When I took my son the first time all they did was count his teeth, checked his teeth and overbite, and cleaned them. I also take mine to a pediatric dentist that is really good with kids especially with explaining things about what they are going to be doing. By taking children when they are young I think it helps them from being scared of the dentist when they are older.

Carolyn - posted on 08/01/2009

It really depends on the dentist. Some see them as young as 2 yrs old. If she's not cooperative with you she probably won't be with the dentist especially with the mask over their face.But it can't hurt to try. and keep up the good cleaning at home.:)

Casey - posted on 08/01/2009

and also in newzealand the dentist comes to the kindergarten and all the kids get looked at with Denlite, so its kind of fun for them...

Wendy - posted on 08/01/2009

I have taken all of my kids to dentist when there teeth have started to come through. As my dentist says this way they get used to coming and there not scared and I agree

Suzanne - posted on 08/01/2009

as soon as they start cutting teeth according to our dentist

Heather - posted on 08/01/2009

My baby's doctor said my daughter should see a dentist after her 1st birthday.

Casey - posted on 07/31/2009

i would also like to add that my daughter didn't get her first tooth until she was 14 months.... and was just over two before all of them were thru!

Jane - posted on 07/31/2009

a dentist will tell you as soon as they have teeth but let your pediatrician tell you when they need to go. all they do is count the teeth and as your 1yr old gets older, she's going to regress and hate going, kicking and screaming. this behavior usually stops at 3. so don't bother until 3.

Pacer - posted on 07/31/2009

My daughter was a year old when I first took her,if you can find a good pediactric dentist i'm sure she'll be fine.Good luck!

Jocelyn - posted on 07/31/2009

my son is 2.5 and hasn't been to the dentist yet. we were told to take him as 1 yr, but he got teeth late and only had like 4 at that time. i think i will probably take him for his first visit around 3.5. i'm not too worried about it. we brush twice a day (he loves brushing btw) and no sugary/acidic things after 7pm (bed time is 9). i'm waiting until he can listen to instructions properly and can understand what is going to happen. we have child dentists here that insist that they come in at a year, and then will drug them to get them to sit still. there is no need for that!

Kelly - posted on 07/31/2009

I think a lot of it depends on the dentist. Our dentist when our boys were kids, recommended age 3 1/2. Since then I have heard dentists recommend anywhere from one year to five years, but all my kids started going at 3 1/2. Seems like a good age-they are big enough to understand to sit still and let the dentist see their teeth, and I've never had one with any dental problems. Actually between all the kids we only ever had one cavity, and that was a baby tooth they just went ahead and pulled. I always let my little ones go in with me to see me getting my teeth cleaned, and they never had any fear of the dentist. Just keep cleaning those little teeth and gums yourself!

Lisa - posted on 07/31/2009

My brother is a dentist--I think he would suggest sometime in the next 6 months to be a good time for a couple of reasons. First and most importantly, is to get her comfortable going to the dentist before any "real" procedures need to be done! So many people have adversions to the dentist, and teaching her that it's not that bad a place and that the hygienist is a gentle, nice, tooth cleaner is a great thing! Secondly, the dentist will check to see that her teeth and gums look normal, and they can make suggestions on brushing. Good luck and good for you to be proactive on dental health!

Casey - posted on 07/31/2009

honestly i waited till my daughter was four, as she had a lets say dislike for doctors in general! But as we clean her teeth everyday, and she didn't have anything but water and formula for the first few years of life, her teeth were lovely. My rule is the same as my mothers was nothing but water after 5 or 6pm (to drink)

Carianne - posted on 07/30/2009

Oh and I have had to assist with fixing some pretty rampant decay in children as young as 2. They would have to be put to sleep for the procedure. Sad!

Carianne - posted on 07/30/2009

I was a Pediatric Dental Assistant for two years before I decided to stay at home w/ my two kids. We had appointments for parents and babies for a free instructional visit before 12 months, then usually recommended their first cleaning visit to be around 18 to 24 months (depending on how well the parents were cleaning the child's teeth at that time). A large percentage of 2 year olds develop decay from habits like sipping juice or milk all day, snacking on dry cereal, and inconsistant brushing and flossing. I would definitely get your daughter in for her first dental visit with a Pediatric Dentist before she turns 2. Not only will they be able to give you some great tips on caring for her teeth, she will become accustomed to having her teeth "counted" at a young age. Also, they might be able to give you a heads up on if she will need any kind of orthodontic work in the future. My 2 1/2 year old has a cross-bite so we know ahead of time that we will need dental insurance that covers orthodontic work. :-/ Oh, and I'm sure a Pediatric Dentist will be able to look at her teeth, although she might protest a little bit! :) Kudos for making sure her teeth are clean and healthy! You're doing more than most! :-)

Meli - posted on 07/30/2009

my pediatrician advised me to take my kids at the age of 3, all they do is count their teeth making sure they are growing in properly and then they clean them, if they were to have a cavity or something they are to small to have anything done so keep brushing daily!!

Christy - posted on 07/30/2009

You should ask your pedetrician. Now days they have pedeactric dentist, and they take children at 1yrs of age. They don't clean their teeth at the visit they count them and make sure they are growing correctly. One yrs old is the age to take your child to the dentist. Remember baby teeth grow healthy because of healthy gums.

Patricia - posted on 07/30/2009

I actually haven't taken my children to the dentist til they turned 5. I was always told by a dentist that they have to be 5 or 6. My son is going to the dentist in Sept but only because his sister is getting hers done and they said that they don't do 5 yr olds but since my daughter is going in that he could go in with her and get his done.