I am posting a poll to see what other people think about the importance of children going to the dentist?

Question

My husband and I are in an argument about the importance of children going to see the dentist. I say that dental health & checkups are just as important as physical health and checkups. What I am getting from him is that if I take our 5 yr old son to the dentist, they are going to want to put braces on his teeth.

1st of all, the dentist can only suggest it, but they can't do any thing about it as that is the orthodontists job.

2nd, we're the parents, it's in our discrestion as to putting (or lack thereof) braces on his teeth.

What do you all think? If ya'll have suggestions to turn his head in my direction, that would be great.

Answer 1

You are the winner in this one!    A child should be taken to the dentist by the time he is two years old, for his first checkup.  Generally no work needs to be done at that age, so the child has the opportunity to get used to the dentist in a friendly atmosphere.

As your child grows, the dentist will give him flouride treatments to strengthen his teeth, and sealants on his molars to prevent cavities.  This will help you avoid more expensive work later on.

There is no need to worry about an orthodontist until your child is 8 years old or older.   Even at that age, it's a rare thing for orthodontic treatment to begin.  The dentist would probably evaluate your child's "bite," to see if braces might be a necessity later on.  Generally, they are not used until fifth grade or later.  But braces are optional, and the dentist cannot MAKE you get them for your child.

Neglecting to take your child to the dentist at an early age can have some very expensive consequences later on.   I never had braces as a child, but I have a crossbite.  As a result, I've had all kinds of problems as an adult, and have spent thousands of dollars on root canals and crowns.  Does your husband want this for your son? I don't think so!

Answer 2

First of all they would not even put braces on a 5 year old child, maybe if your husband went to the dentist he would know that. Your son still has his baby teeth! It sounds like your husband is cheap and if you cared about your child's teeth you would have already brought him in without having your decision okayed by your husband. Get a back bone!!

Answer 3

HE NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND SEE THAT IF YOUR CHILD DOESNT GET BRACES HIS TEETH ARE GONNA LOOK LIKE A PILL OF CARS!!I KNOW LATER IN LIFE HE IS GONNA REGRET NOT GETTING THE BRACES SO HE BETTER JUST TAKE A CHANCE!!

Answer 4

The health of an adult's teeth can be determined by factors related to their childhood, such as lack of certain nutrients and not having proper dental care. So, it is absolutely just as important as a regular physical checkup. The health of his baby teeth could seriously effect his dental health for the rest of his life. That's something I definitely would not want to mess around with.

Answer 5

I agree with you my girls have gone to the dentist since they were two years old......the dentist will not suggest braces until your child is around nine years old....(mine is this age and was just suggested) and why would you not want to fix his dental prob. at a young age so he doesn't have to deal with it when he is older...he will thank you later, also getting your child to the dentist at an early age help the child fear the dentist less, when he is an adult it will be so much easier for him. GL

Answer 6

It is imperative that your child visits a dentist.

NO dentist would EVER suggest putting braces on the teeth of a 5 year old! They would wait at least until all his baby teeth are gone and have been gone awhile before starting (generally at about 13)! What the heck is he thinking?

Answer 7

Mine have gone since aprx. age 3 to a pediatric detist. Both did have cavities at early ages so really its a good ideas to start them young

They won't even put braces on until all permanent teeth are in anyway, so really that is an unfounded concern. Also, braces cost a small fortune, which most insurance companies do not cover..so why on earth would anyone force you to put them on..that doesn't make sense to me at all.