How old for first visit to the dentist?

[MamaMorgana]

At what age do we start taking baby to the dentist?
I'm trying to decide whether or not to waive dental insurance this year for my LO, who is now 3 months old.

[Turquesa]

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends one year, but most family dentists say not until 3. We're going with the latter.

[seagull]

Originally Posted by Turquesa

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends one year, but most family dentists say not until 3. We're going with the latter.

Agreed.

[Jend1002]

My son is super sensitive to new situations, so we are taking him at 2 to get him used to going before it really matters. I did add my son to my coverage pretty early on though, in case there were problems. I am paranoid like that

[mama1803]

Both of my LOs went before their first birthday.

[Denali]

I took DS at 11 months, but he had tooth decay problems....otherwise I'd probably have waited until he was about 1.5. I personally would not wait until 3.

[AnArtistMama]

I took my DS at 18 months, and I thought I was being silly and early.
Much to my surprise he had discoloration on the back of his front teeth, and it was caught in time for me to start prevention of cavities.

We stopped drinking juice, drink water after eating, and I wipe his teeth after nursing.

Also I use the clear plastic brush that fits on your finger for after meal brushing.

Plus if you go to a pediatric dentist, they will look in your toddlers mouth while they sit on your lap and hold their hands, it was not scary.

[wombatclay]

Around here the pediatric dentists don't allow parents to leave the waiting room... children are "taken back" without the parent (regardless of age). One of the practices actually asks that parents not tell their child where they are going or what will happen. Anyway, that's the norm here so it may be the norm elsewhere. Always call and ask what the policies are for a specific practice.

[LemonPie]

Originally Posted by wombatclay

Around here the pediatric dentists don't allow parents to leave the waiting room... children are "taken back" without the parent (regardless of age). One of the practices actually asks that parents not tell their child where they are going or what will happen. Anyway, that's the norm here so it may be the norm elsewhere. Always call and ask what the policies are for a specific practice.

Wow, our ped dentist is completely different. It's assumed the parents will come back. The x-ray room is encased in glass so the kid can see the parent the whole time. The hygiene area is a big open space with kid-sized beds, kid-sized tools, etc. They have a chair by each bed for parents to sit and they have a chest of toys for siblings who are waiting around. They're extremely gentle and don't force the kids into anything. When my daughter was 3 and 4, she refused a cleaning, so the dentist sat knees-to-knees with me, had her sit in my lap and tipped her head back into his so he could 'count her teeth'. This year, at almost 5, she watched her big brother have a cleaning and agreed that they could clean her teeth. I was SO grateful they'd been patient and gentle with her rather than forcing her into something and making it a traumatic experience.

[Artichokie]

we brought our dd for the first time right after her 2nd bday. We went with her into the exam room.

[bri276]

DD just had her first visit last month and she'll be 5 next month. I didn't mean to wait so long, actually, but everything was fine, just a couple tiny cavaties. She actually was great and dealt with it very well (despite being developmentally delayed).

[wombatclay]

I know... I've heard about really great ped dentists. But at least within a 3 hour drive from our home there are NO dentists that are "gentle". I mean, we've got a nice family dentist, but our 5yo dd1 ha eight cavities... and we cant find anyone who will treat her with the respect and gentle care we need. At least, no one within a days drive. I don't know what we'll do.

(like others in this thread, we have a genetic history of weak/soft teeth... so this is a topic close to my heart)

[~savah~]

Originally Posted by Denali

I took DS at 11 months, but he had tooth decay problems....otherwise I'd probably have waited until he was about 1.5. I personally would not wait until 3.

This, especially if you can find a good ped. dentist. I personally think more harm than good can from waiting, but I am probably biased because of DD's tooth problems.

Originally Posted by wombatclay

I know... I've heard about really great ped dentists. But at least within a 3 hour drive from our home there are NO dentists that are "gentle". I mean, we've got a nice family dentist, but our 5yo dd1 ha eight cavities... and we cant find anyone who will treat her with the respect and gentle care we need. At least, no one within a days drive. I don't know what we'll do.

(like others in this thread, we have a genetic history of weak/soft teeth... so this is a topic close to my heart)

That is so rough. I don't know what I would have done if I couldn't have found the dentist we did.

[Denali]

Originally Posted by wombatclay

I know... I've heard about really great ped dentists. But at least within a 3 hour drive from our home there are NO dentists that are "gentle". I mean, we've got a nice family dentist, but our 5yo dd1 ha eight cavities... and we cant find anyone who will treat her with the respect and gentle care we need. At least, no one within a days drive. I don't know what we'll do.

(like others in this thread, we have a genetic history of weak/soft teeth... so this is a topic close to my heart)

I'm really sorry to hear that. That's a bad situation.

We had a not very nice experience at the first ped dentist, who was the only one in our area at that time, but then a while later, a new ped dentist moved to town, and he's been great with DS.

I think if I were you, I'd still try to find a good dentist somewhere else and just make the long drive as little as possible/as often as necessary.

Have you checked in the "find your tribe" subforum whether someone in your area or within your driving range has a recommendation?

Good luck