When Was Your Baby's First Dentist Appt?

Question

My dentist is telling me I should have started bringing my son to the dentist at 6 months. My Pediatrician told me not to take him until he turns 3 years. Im just curious when you first took your baby?

Yes I have been brushing his teeth/ gums since he was 5 months.

Answer 1

I brought my 16 month old to the dentist a couple weeks ago for the first time.  Not much happened, the dentist just talked with me about her dental hygiene and things we should/shouldn't be doing.  It was very informative.  Also, it helps your child to get used to the fact that he/she will be seeing the dentist on a regular basis.

:-)))

Answer 2

I took my son just after he turned 1.

We have dental insurance and it's more preventive at that age, so I think it was a good thing.

Answer 3

My child was gonna go at 2. but the doctor said you have to wait till they are 3 to bring them. so they have to be 3!

Answer 4

my pediatric dentist starts "wee visits" at 1 years.  i took my little one for a check up.  i think it helped my little guy as he got older to know what to expect.  he loves going to the dentist, and has even had 2 fillings with NO fuss.

Answer 5

My daughter is 19 months, she has a strong personality - she won't ever sit still and fights me when I try to brush her teeth every night.There is NO way she would sit still in a dentists chair & cooperate at this age. I am waiting until she turns 3.

Answer 6

Your child needs actual cleanings by the age of 3.  I can't see my kids letting a person who has never seen them before clean thier teeth much less touch them at that early age.

They recommend that you start at 1 year of age.  I just took my 16 month old twins. They got to meet the dentist, got lots of praise for using thier toothbrushes there in the office, had thier teeth examined for signs of decay and recieved a floride treatment.  They got stickers and left thinking the dentist was a fun thing - by the age of 3 they should be quite willing to open thier mouth for a cleaning.

If you have dental insurance available you should use it.  I put the kids on dental insurance because accidents happen and it would be very expensive to have a knocked out or chipped baby tooth repaired without insurance.  My dental insurance covers regular checkups so we are making use of them.

Answer 7

The American academy of pediatrics says the first dental appointment should be at 3.  The American academy of pediatric dentistry says as soon as they get their first tooth or one year old, whichever comes first.

I took my daughter when she turned 3 because that's when all my friends took their children.  I asked around a lot at the playground too, almost every mom said not until 3.

When we went, my daughter did fine, and I was told to floss her teeth along with brushing.

Answer 8

My dentist told me to bring my kids when they were 3.  I go every 6 months, so when they turned 3, I took them with me and had them sit with me for my cleaning.  Then I made an appointment for both of us for my next visit.  So they were  probably about 3.5

Answer 9

My child was three.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry say it should be within six months of the first erupted tooth, but no later than 12 months. http://www.tamus.edu/systemwide/05/10/we...

All the best.

Answer 10

I started taking my son at 4.  He was too scared before then and would wiggle around too much in the chair.  If you're brushing and flossing, I'm sure his teeth are in good shape.  In my state (CA), it's mandatory to bring your child to the dentist before the 1st grade now.  They make you fill out this paper if you don't have the means to or if it's against your religion or whatever and it's really kind of bad.  Be prepared to take him by then.

Answer 11

I just went to the dentist two weeks ago...and that was my question as well...She told me to bring my daughter to my next visit so she can sit and watch...she'll be two and a half at that point...then my visit after that...when she'll be three the dentist will try to clean her teeth..it's kinda frightening for children...my dentist told me just to make sure that I brush her teeth in the morning and before bed...

Answer 12

my son was about 2 months old.

he has been with me every 6 months, as i had nobody to leave him with

when he was about 2 1/2, the dentist said he would like to count the little guy's teeth.

since then, he has always had them checked.

he's nearly 5, and always races me to the chair to show off his teeth first.

Answer 13

Your dentist is a classic example of why you should never take advice from someone who would financially benefit if you took his advice!

Your doctor is right. They don't need to go in before age 3.