I have a 14 month old boy and I have been told by another mom that at a year all babies should see a pediatric dentist. Is this just a racket or is it truly necessary? I have noticed his bottom teeth are kind of crooked, but I wonder if this matters if they fall out anyway.
Thanks so much for your tips on ped. dentist at one year of age. I'll follow up with my dentist to make sure, but it looks like for now, we'll wait until he's 3.
They dont have to go until they are 4 years of age. You do need to wipe the gums with a wet rag so that when his teeth do come out he wont have cavity. It also make there mouth fill beter.
Hi, since we've moved around quite a bit, I've had three different dentists (two of those were pediatric dentists) tell me to wait until my kids were 3 years old. My 2 oldest boys saw a dentist at 3, and my youngest will, too. Hope this helps!
I was told to do it when my son turned 2. I would take your child early to get him used to the dentist. Most people neglect their teeth, and you don't want to do that to your child. Show them that we need to take care of our teeth at an early age to make it a habit with him and you.
I wondered that too when my son was a baby/toddler and I called around many dentists to get opinions and they vary widly.. some say definatly by 1 yr and some say it isn't really necessary until about 3 yrs+... All they do at a check up that young is get them "use to" the dentist and "teach" them to brush their teeth.. but seriously... nothing Mommy can't teach him... brush in circles, floss if you want to teach them that that young, and use a timer if you want for 2 min which is the recommended time. They don't do a deep cleaning that early and many admitted that most 1-2 yr olds won't even hold their mouth open long enough to even let the dentist brush them. My husband and I are self employed and pay $400 a month in medical insurance plus what our insurance doesn't pay... we don't have dental so I couldn't see paying $75-$150 per kid for them to teach them how to brush their teeth and to show them what the dentist office is like.
I did a seminar with my daycare kids and the health department came in and taught them the same things.. showed them with the big mouth and big tooth brush how to brush and made it a game and then passed it around for them to do it, they also talked about healthy snacks and healthy activities (riding bikes, jumping, dancing...)..and better yet it was free! You could call the health department and ask for the hand outs and maybe you could do that with him. They also gave us a handout with resources for cheaper dental check ups.. and one was going to Tarrant County College where dental hygenist study and you can get a cleaning and check up for like $5-$10!!! I personally love to give people an opportunity to learn and like the fact I can get it for less... if something were found to be wrong (they do x rays too!!) you can take your issues to a dentist. I am not sure they do toddlers though.. I think the age was 5 and older.
Oh.. and I have braces and asked my orthodontist about the crooked teeth in children b/c my daughters front teeth (who is almost 4) are crooked... I told him one of my daycare kids just started orthodontic work and she JUST turned 6 and has not lost ANY baby teeth.. I said it doesn't make sence to me that you would do it that early if they haven't lost baby teeth b/c you don't know how her adult teeth will grow in. HE said that was just a money hungry jerk that doesn't care about her teeth really because they should at least have lost certain teeth.. he told me but I don't remember (there were at least 5 or so that are a "must" before orthodontic work begins). So don't worry about your little ones crooked teeth yet! You have plenty of time to do that!
HOpe that helps!
My pedi dentist said no need until 3 years old. Unless you have a problem like an accident, etc.
I'm taking my 19 month old to the dentist in Nov. Not so much for a checkup, but to get him used to the experience. It is a good idea to have a dentist check out the teeth; otherwise, you could miss a serious problem that can be corrected sooner rather than later.
The visit in Nov will be 100% covered by insurance so I figured, 'why not?'. it's a good opportunity to start good habits.
Most pediatric dentist won't see a child until they are 2 and some 3 so I doubt you need to take him. Unless there is some issue like a tooth turning brown I wouldn't worry about it.
C.
Our dentist says to wait until they're 3 or 4 for their "happy visit" where they get to sit in the chair and have their teeth counted.
