Age for 1St Dental Visit?

The pediatric dentist we go to has been in the business for 5 decades. He has just published a 40+ year study on gum disease in children. He teaches that children should visit the dentist by the age of one, or when there are 8 teeth. I just took my 14 month old, and it went well. They just took some xrays. I sat in the chair with him in my lap. Then, there was a quick cleaning. We then discussed the xrays with the dentist, and then left.

If you want to learn more about this, you can go to aapd.org/dentalhome.

Hi A.,

I had my son visit the dentist for the 1st time just after his 2nd birthday. I waited until all his teeth were in except for his 3 year old molars. He loved the dentist. Most often the 1st visit is a cleaning and they just make sure that things look ok. They did do a floride treatment. My dentist makes the parents wait in the waiting room while they take the kids back. I think it works better that way.

We started taking ours after their 3rd birthday (which is what our dentist suggested). They LOVE the dentist. Now that they are older (11 and 8) they have a longstanding relationship with the dentist and hygienists, so should they ever need (fingers crossed) fillings they will not be overly stressed. So far, so good. We do anticipate, however, orthodontic work in the future... :(

After a thorough cleaning, they show me (and the kids as they get a little older) the areas that might not be getting adequate attention, and help encourage the kids to floss, too. I feel better knowing that at least twice a year the kids' teeth are REALLY clean! And if they are missing areas, we will know in time to pay more attention before a cavity occurs and needs filling. The kids really enjoy choosing which flavor flouride foam, and stickers and new toothbrushes, etc... Both our kids also have had sealants applied to their molars, to help prevent cavities in those deep crevices that are hard for the kids to keep cleaned properly. And it didn't hurt to have the dentist reinforcing to my daughter that she shouldn't be eating ICE!!

If you have a regular dentist that you see already, check with him/her and ask what they recommend. Some dentists have different philosophy about such things.. and some aren't "kid people" and really don't like working on kids. So be sure that if YOUR dentist isn't a "kid" person, that you find one who IS, or your kids will not feel at ease and may dread the dentist. Ours is GREAT! He is a kidder with them and they love it!

I took my son the summer before starting kindergarten.
'They' say you should go sooner, but I did not.
He is fine- they clean & examine the mouth.
If you are near Hollywood FL I recommend Dr. Wander's Office. We did not see him, but the wonderful woman dentist I forget her name (sorry to you oh great woman dentist, lol!)
I now go once a year in the summer, so he has been two times now.

I also highly recommend going to NOVA Southeastern University Pediatric Dentistry in Davie FL. I have not been but TOTALLY would, but as it is, Hollywood is a drive for me. the students who work on children are JUST about to graduate and also MANY of them are dentists from other countries who are finishing up their schooling here to be dentists.

I first took my son when he was 3 1/2 all that they did for him was make him stand in front of the x-ray machine and it rotated around his head which they say for them to be still but you know 3 year olds but they understand. Then they had him sit in the dental chair and showed him all the utencils that they use and let him touch them. They checked his teeth and tryed to clean them my son only let them do half of the bottom row. Then they scheduled him for another visit in 6 months. They said they like to try to start them out young comeing in that way it get's easier for them and they know what to suspect. I don't know what happens if there's a cavity.

We go to a family dentist that specializes in pediatric dentistry as well, and they do the first visit/cleaning sometime between age three and four (they say 3.5 is ideal).

At the first visit, they had me sit in the chair with my son on my lap. They showed him all the instruments, let him touch everything, told him what everything did, turned on the polisher and has him feel it with his finger, had him practice rinsing and spitting, and sucking the vacuum straw. She had him open his mouth really wide and counted his teeth. Sometimes this is where the first visit ends, but if the child is comfortable and doing fine, they will continue with a cleaning.

My son was doing great, so they went ahead with the cleaning. The first cleaning involved polishing and flossing, but no scraping. When it was over he got a new toothbrush and his photo taken for the "no cavity club" wall.

They usually wait until the second or third visit to do x-rays, unless they feel it is necessary sooner.

Each dental practice likely does things a little differently though, so you may want to call around and ask and find one you are comfortable with. My son loves his dentist, and actually enjoys going. It is wonderful.

I'm sure everyone has their own opinions about the age of the first visit - parents & ped. docs. Our doc suggested the age of 3 (as well as some mom friends) as long as we started brushing when my son first got his few teeth and continued to brush regularly. I made his first appt. right after his 3rd bday, and everything went well - no cavities. The ped. dentist checked his teeth, checked for cavities and talked to my son about the importance of brushing everyday. I'm glad I waited until 3...he would have never sat still or listened to the dentist any earlier!

My sister is a dentist and a mother of three young daughters, and I think that if the dentist is good with kids, then she doesn't necessarily need to be a pediatric dentist. She recommends the first visit at age 2. Usually it's just a cleaning and they count their teeth. It's pretty painless if your child cooperates. I sat in the chair and Lola sat in my lap, which helped a lot the first time. She didn't like the taste of the toothpaste, but after that it was fine. Next time they used a different kind. Now she loves to go. Good luck!

Good morning. I took my son at 2 years old. Be sure it is a pediatric dentist. I did have to hold him in the chair, but his health is important and that includes his teeth. The dentist just counted and made sure everything looked okay. My son was no worse for the wear from it and afterwards wanted to get back in the chair after he calmed down. Definately start early so they can get used to it. Maybe next time he will let the hygentist brush his teeth. good luck.

The sooner the better, no harm done, if it's made to be a good experience. But make sure it is a pediatric dentist, they have 2 extra years of schooling! We LOVE Kids Care Dental in Plantation (a drive for us, both worth every second) - Nob Hill and Cleary. Dr. Nigel Grandison is the BEST! Dr. Chen is good, too.

You can take her when you go for your regular visit and have her looked at while sitting on your lap. At this age they are usually given one of those pills that show where she needs a little extra cleaning and a gift toothbrush. No stress.