4 Month Old Preemie Needs to Go to Dentist???

I too have gotten those notices with my daughter who is 8 months old. Are you on Ahcccs(sp?)? I noticed that I only got them with this child because my son was on regular ins when he was a baby and never got them. I didn't take him to the dentist until he was 2years old. At 4months old they don't even have any teeth for them to look at.

I would not take him! I had talked to my dentist and he said unless you have concerns than they do not have to come in until the earliest 3 years old. I just look my 3.5 year old and all they did was introduced him to the dentist and count his teeth not even a cleaning.
The dentist had even told me you really don't need to bring them in until there teeth are in and touching. You know no spaces between the teeth.
Hope that helps, but I would NOT take him. I you are still questing it call the dentist and tell them the baby is only 4 months with no problems and no teeth!
Good Luck

My son saw the dentist for the first time at 8 monthes with 7 teeth. He had black spots that were being cause by some medicine he was on. The dentist said he didn't need to be seen for a regular child apointment till he was about 18m-2y. Hope this helps

As far as I am concerned, I don't think your baby needs to go to the dentist until he has a mouthful of teeth. My friend didn't take her girls until they were two. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Wait till he has teeth.

I agree. The notice must have been a mistake on the part of your insurance company. Most pediatricians say to take your kids at 3. Even pediatric dentists say you don't need to take them until they are 1, or until they have a few teeth. I didn't take my son until he was 3 and he is just fine.

Your baby's name may have just gotten on a list for a mass mailing..... I wouldn't worry about it. I haven't heard of taking kids to the dentist until they at least have teeth. :)

You are to take your child in for thier first check up 6 months after they get their first tooth. At least that's what my dentist and my sister's dentist has said. it's just a guide line though. If you are really concerned I would call the dentist office though and see what they think! but I bet they just got mixed up on her age.

Somebody messed up. Our dentist and pediatrician both say the kids don't need to see the dentist regularly until about age 3.

No, it's not normal. Your dentist's office's advertising department entered the wrong information into the computer, and the computer, sent you an automatic mailing.

I've had four preemies and used to work for a state dental association. It has to be a computer error somewhere. Kids usually don't go to the dentist until age three due to insurance/ malpractice issues. Although some dentists would like them earlier just to make sure things are coming in well and no other concerns.

Hi C.,
My name is V. and I am a dental assistant. That is just weird how you received a letter for your four month old. Does he have any teeth comming in? He does not need to see the dentist until he has teeth. Usually children start going to the dentist at the age of two or three. Unless there is something that concerns you, I say just wait until then. Good luck!!

I never heard of a 4 month old needing a dentist...it was probably just a flyer that some dentist is sending out, probably got your name from some registry, like a bulk mailing list. I have 3 kids, and they had their first dentist appt when they were probably 4 years old. But do help them brush their teeth when they start eating solid foods. I used to give them tooth brushes to chew on, that way they would get used to the idea of a tooth brush in their mouth. Good luck.

I'm sure it's just a mistake.
My daughter is almost 3 and my dentist is telling me to start bringing her w/ me when I take the older kids to the dentist so she will be comfortable with the Dr. when her turn comes.

I would really say this is too early. Might want to check to see if they have the DOB correct for your baby.

Would love to see you at the March for Babies walk this weekend in phoenix. Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in learning more about the March of Dimes - March for Babies!!
____@____.com

Thanks!

J.

Hi Cathy,
I have worked in the dental field for 30+ years. Who sent you the letter? Was it from your dentist? Sounds absurd to me!
Usually it is recommended that children start seeing the
dentist at age 3-4 years of age.When there teeth start coming in it is very important that you brush them until
the child can start brushing and then always brush for
them after they have done it themselves. If you notice
anything unusual in the childs mouth you should contact
a dentist.

You probably got that notice as a mistake. Most pediatricians say that babies don't need to go to the dentist until they are 1 year old or 6 months after their first tooth comes in. If I had gotten that letter, I wouldn't take my baby in. Also, be careful if you do decide to take him in and there is nothing there, then your insurance company might say that it was an unneccessary visit and they may decline payment. Then you will be stuck having to pay the dentist's bill.

I have not had a child who was a preemie, so I am not sure if things are different, but I have never heard of taking your child to the dentist before your child has teeth.I think that would be a little absurd.. I have two very healthy teenage boys who did not go to the dentist until they were 3. They had to be old enough to follow the dentists directions. I think you have enough to worry about with your little one than having to run to the dentist office as well. Of course check with your pediatrician, and if they say you need to go get a second opinion. Oh and if you are in North West Tucson Dr. Lucas at Thornydale and Cortaro is great my boys love going to the dentist.

Be careful with taking your child to the dentist. Make sure that the dentist is good with children. My granddaughter took her child to the dentist and he was not good with children at all. Now she is very scared whenever she needs to go to the dentist, and she screams and crys all the time while she is there.

We have found a very good dentist now and she is getting over her fright of dentists.

I heard you're supposed to take your child to their first dentist appt when they're a year old. No point if they don't have any teeth :)

Hi Caryl. My pediatric dentist told me that children do not need to be seen by a dentist regularly until they are 4 years old. We went before that with my oldest son because he nearly knocked out his front tooth (which ended up being fine.) So, you DEFINITELY should not take your baby in yet. That is ridiculous!
BTW, Congrats on your baby!

I think that their might be an error from the sender. If he doesn't have any teeth,and your doctor has not mentioned any concerns to you, then their is no reason for him/her to go to the dentist. I just brought my 19 month old to the dentist (a pediatric one) and they had a pamphlet in the waiting room that confirms my statement. The office I went to was Sweet Tooth Pediatric Power/Ray, behind Gilbert Emergency.

It had to have been a mistake! I can't imagine taking a 4 month old preemie to a dentist office...what would they even do? Maybe you should call...they often mix things up in our home (because we have a Jim and a James)...that would be really weird for them to expect you to bring him in so young!

Hi C.!

I recently had my 18yr old son at the dentist who is a pediatric dentist. I asked him at what age should I bring my daughter (who was almost 3 at that time). He said usually between 2-3 yrs old. I agree that the insurance company made a huge mistake in sending that to you! I have NEVER heard of anyone taking a baby/child with no teeth to the dentist - what will they do or look at? If there are any concerns about his gums then I am sure your babys doctor would tell you and then of course tell you what you should do. But to me it just sounds like the insurance company are ahead of themselves.

Good luck and just enjoy your new little bundle!!!

no way. I've never heard of anyone taking a baby that young to the dentist. Maybe the dentist is confused on your baby's age. Talk to your pediatritcian. My ped. ususally says to take them around 3 years.

No! I have preemie twins who are now 21 months, and they haven't been to the dentist. I think waiting till they are two years old is fine!

Hi C.,

I know you can tell via x-rays if a child is going to have dental problems; but what's the point? The teeth are going to come in regardless; so I say wait till he actually has teeth. In fact, most dentists don't start seeing children until around age 2 or 3, unless there are any issues. I would NOT subject a child of any age to x-rays unless absolutely necessary, and certainly not an infant.

Hope this helps. :)

Warm Regards,
G. Van Luven

Absolutely not. A check-up at a year of age would be the absolute earliest. My own dentist doesn't want to see our kiddos till they're three. Probably just an error!

Our pediatrician told us not to worry about it until about 2-3 years old and our dentist said the same thing. I think this just might be a marketing technique by the dentist??

I would ask your pediatrician but I think it's too early :)

Hope this helps!

L. Smith
Owner/CEO - Regionz Kidz
http://www.regionzkidz.com

It's great marketing. Anyone can convince anyone they need something. Depends on whether you want to buy into it or not. Use your own judgement, dont let a "card" in the mail determine what you do with your child.

That's crazy! There's no way that your baby should have to go to the dentist already. Your pediatrition would have let you know at your regular baby check ups if there was a reason that your baby should go. Just call you pediatrition. Good Luck.

If you ask me, the thought of such a young baby going to the dentist is absurd. I was told by my doctor that a regular dentist visit from about age three was totally appropriate. I have six kids, the youngest is 11 and they are alldoing just fine. One thing my doctor did tell me though was as soon as they are able to hold something, that I should give them a very soft baby toothbrush to chew on, it gets them used to brushing.

That is just ABSURD! I've been told by my dentist not
to start my son until he is 3 yrs. old.

Good Luck!

I was going to bring my four YEAR old to the dentist and they are having me wait until he is five....that is unless I have a concern or there are problems. Until he has a mouthful of teeth (maybe as early as two) I don't think you need to worry about it. If you do take him at two bring him to a pediatric dentist that specializes w/ kids that young.

Alison

I think you need teeth to go to the dentist!!! Or at least some kind of problem. Wait until the baby has teeth or ask your pediatrician, it'll make him laugh! K. RN