First Dental Visit

I just asked my dentist the same question and I was told 3-years-old. If you have a specific concern (obvious decay or damage, for example) you should be able to go earlier.

Our pediatric dentist recommends 3 years for a first check-up and cleaning.

In the meantime, be sure to brush every day. The earlier you can get them in the habit the better. If you see that your son's teeth are touching (most young kids' teeth are more widely spaced) then you need to be sure to floss every day as well.*

*I learned this one the hard way. I don't know anybody else who flosses their kids' teeth regularly, but after a mouthful of cavities it's a big priority for us.

My mom's friend is a Dental Professor. She said unless you see something unusual in your child's mouth, like dark spots, excessive bleeding, etc.. you do not need to take them until they are 3 years old. She said that it is hard for little ones younger than that to stay still and it may be hard for the dentist, the child & parent.

She did however say to start brushing his teeth everyday and use a small amount of the baby toothpaste b/c their saliva creates enough moisture in their mouth to help the toothpaste be effective.

Call your dentist, but I think they like to see them about age 2 just to count all of their teeth, see if they are coming in properly and get the child used to the dentist and the process.

I have 3 dentists in my family and we were told to wait until our son is 3 years old.

Unless their is a problem or concern 3 years old.

If you go any sooner they don't really even have all their teeth in yet, and aren't really mature enough to handle a visit.

My daughter hit her front teeth at church and had nerve damage/discoloration of her teeth at age2 so I took her in but they didn't do anything but peek at her teeth and take xrays and told me to bring her back at age3.

At age3 I took her in and we started with full cleanings, the whole works.

I do recommend using a pediatric dentist they make the process alot easier and strictly work with just children.

Until your son visits a dentist you just do the same thing you would do for yourself, brush his teeth and if he lets you floss. You don't NEED toothpaste just water is fine.

I asked my dentist last time I was there, and she also said 3 yrs. She mentioned that the first visit is not very formal. They get to sit in the chair, touch all of the instruments and... if the kid lets them, they will do a cleaning. If nothing is "wrong" with any of the teeth there is really no need to go sooner, it's mostly to get them into a good habit early on know that going to the dentist is FUN, not scary! (Okay, I am one of the only people who thinks that the dentist is fun.) ;)

I also heard conflicting things but our dentist said 3 years, We brought our son with on our visits before that so he knew about going to the dentist and they would let him sit in the chair and they would count his teeth. His first appointment last week went so smoothly. I think because of the prep work on the dentists part and ours.

If you call the dentist office most likely they will tell you shortly after they get their first tooth. That way they can teach you how you should be cleaning their mouth, etc. I took my son at 2 years and his first cleaning is right before he turns 3. Good luck!