What to expect from dentist appointment

[colsxjack]

Our DD is 2 yrs old.

We have never taken her to the dentist. We are going to take her soon.

She doesn't have any dental issues (that we know of).

She is good about having us brush her teeth. We brush with plain water only, we have never brushed with toothpaste. We have been trying to get her to learn to spit, but she can't spit yet, and so we do not want her swallowing toothpaste.

When do you take your kids to the dentist?

Do you brush with toothpaste? At what age did you start?

We have started reading her books about the dentist to get her used to wanting to go. I think she is almost ready to go and actually open her mouth for them without being traumatized.

What can we expect for a first appointment?

Thanks.

[Chloebelle]

When do you take your kids to the dentist? You're supposed to take them when their teeth start growing in, so pretty early. I took mine at about 2 for my youngest and 3 for my older child.

Do you brush with toothpaste? Yep! We use natural toothpaste with xylitol.

At what age did you start? At about one I think. Since we use natural toothpaste, I don't worry about them spitting it out.

What can we expect for a first appointment? They will look at the teeth, probably rub them with a little cloth to get them used to "cleaning", then paint fluoride on them. (If you don't want fluoride, make sure you let them know beforehand, because they don't ask your permission.) It's a pretty quick appointment, and if you go to a pediatric dental office, they make it fun and have lots of things to distract them. Unless your child is super sensitive, I can't imagine it being anything more than a fun, new experience.

Of course, if they notice anything wrong, that's another story, and you'll have to deal with that if it happens. DD1 had a cavity at 4, and it was pretty traumatic for her at the time, but immediately after the filling was put in, they gave her a popsicle, and she was all smiles. She still loves going to the Dentist and has no lasting trauma about it.

My now 3 year old has been twice now, and screams bloody murder when they look in her mouth. I have to hold her down. Once she's out of the chair, she's just fine.

So, personally, I wouldn't worry too much. They adjust pretty well.