How often does your child go to the dentist?

Megan - posted on 08/17/2011

My son started going when he turned 4. He now will go every 6 months. It's good to teach them about cleaning their teeth and that it should be kept up with. At that age, the dentist we go to makes it very enjoyable.

Bevely - posted on 08/17/2011

My dentist says cleanings and checkups every 6 months starting with the very first tooth. They even encourage and promote oral hygiene before the first tooth, like brush the gums

Faivalu - posted on 08/17/2011

mines goes every 6 months for check ups and that sort of things..

Ashley - posted on 08/12/2011

weve been taking my daughter since she was about 14 months. shes 2 and has already had her teeth cleaned(im big on teeth lol) half my family are dentist so we go every few months.

Huyen - posted on 08/03/2011

My girls didn't start until they were at least 4 yrs old. We do go every 6 mths since we have full coverage so we take advantage of it. Before they ever went to a dentist, they would go with one of our dental appts first to get familiar with the idea and not feel scared at the idea someone looking at your teeth.

Karen - posted on 08/02/2011

my dentist told me to begin taking my son 6 months after his first tooth came through - which put him to being 13 months old for his first visit. he now goes every 6 months (will be coming up to his 3rd visit in another two or three months)

Melissa - posted on 08/02/2011

I started taking mine at about 1 yr. old. We go every 6 mos. for regular cleanings.

Sharon - posted on 07/21/2011

My mum use to take us all twice a year since we toddlers as we a large family and we all watched each other have a check up and a ride in the Dental chair.....
I grew up loving the smell of flouride and no fear of the Dentists. an married on for a while also......the younger the better........

Maria - posted on 07/20/2011

every 6 months

Rebecca - posted on 07/19/2011

I've always taken my daughter with me when I went to the dentist every 6 months, starting from when she was just a month old. From the time her teeth started coming in, the dentist would look in her mouth after he was done with me -- the first time he just counted her teeth, and gradually added a bit each visit. Starting when she could talk, they would let her "help" with my cleaning by letting her pick out what flavor of toothpaste they should use for me and what color toothbrush I should get, etc. And she got to pick a toothbrush, toothpaste and a "prize" (stickers or small toys) from the kids prize drawer at the end of the appointment. The first time they did a full cleaning & exam on her was when she was 3 years old -- that was the first time I actually scheduled her own appointment. I scheduled her immediately following my own appointment so she could watch me go first as she'd done before. It made for a very easy transition. She was never afraid or upset by having to go to the dentist. She's 6 years old now, and she loves going to the dentist - this spring was the first time I scheduled her appointment separate from mine (and finally got to pick out my own flavor of toothpaste for the first time in five years!) and she did great.

Roseanne - posted on 07/17/2011

Was at the dentist last month and he told me to make an appt. for my son. He is 10 months old. He set up an appt. a week after his first birthday. Now the hand out I was given said just before first birthday.

Elicia - posted on 07/14/2011

Every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup. We started taking our children at 2yrs old and they even went back on their own and didn't cry or whine. Every child is different on their reaction though. There are more options now than in the past for places to take children where they Will feel comfortable.

Cindy - posted on 07/14/2011

my dentist suggested at one years old take them in ...they just count teeth, etc, nothing scary... and every 6 months is how often our dentists have suggested.....

Julie - posted on 07/13/2011

I've heard to start taking them when they start getting teeth. I didn't take my daughter until she was two and she had some cavities. She chewed up her lip after they numbed it and it looked like hamburger meat for a few days. Now we take her every six months and she brushes twice a day and flosses herself (she's almost 7 now) and she hasn't had a cavity since.

Crystal - posted on 07/13/2011

My daughter started going to the dentist at 18 months and we take her every 6 months.

Johanna - posted on 07/13/2011

I am a pediatric dental assistant. I start seeing patients when they turn a year old and then every six months (just like we would) . That is what the American Pediatric Dental Assc. recommends. To wait until 3 years of age is a very antiquated way of thinking. The earlier you can prevent cavities the better. Make sure to brush & floss your child. They can get cavities in between their teeth if you don' t start flossing.

Angela - posted on 07/12/2011

At age 3 (when they have all of their teeth) my kids started going every 6 months.

Martha - posted on 07/12/2011

My pediatrian told me for my oldest t about 3 or 4 she was a good patient and could probably handle going to the denetist. However, in the state of IL it is required for children entering Kindergarten to have at least one dental exam. My oldest has been going since she was 3 every 6 months and now my youngest has been going since he was 3, again every 6 months. I hope this helps.

Amy - posted on 07/12/2011

Our children go every 6 months because that's what our health insurance covers. I believe my oldest started going at age 2 or 3, but he's had a lot of cavities so we started our 15 month old going at about 13 months.