when to start to go to dentist?

[Satine]

I forgot my own experience back to more than 20 years ago. When do you think you should start to bring your kids to the dentist?

[T Fairy]

When they get teeth?!

[Satine]

Huh??? Are you sure?

My daughter is already 5 years old, and I never take her to a dentist at all!

[green phantom]

Well, from what I can remember, kids only get to go dentist when they get to primary school?  The schools would usually arrange for such visits.  Otherwise, for younger kids (ie, those below 7) I don't see the need to?  Unless perhaps there's something very disturbing and causing a problem in feeding.

[larissab]

My son has been going for regular check-ups since he was 2-1/2 (he's now nearly 4) and my daughter had her first visit at age 2.  My daughter wasn't interested in opening her mouth for the dentist, so he showed her around the office and the dental chair.

In the States, it is recommended that children begin seeing a dentist once his/her teeth erupt, in order to both ensure good oral hygiene and accustom the child to the dentists' office to set the stage for a lifetime of good dental care.  Most people I know there start sending their children to the dentist between the ages of 2-4.  The dentist we see here said that he recommends that children begin going between the ages of 3-5.

It is imperative to me that whichever dentist we see is relaxed with children and doesn't pressure them unless absolutely necessary.  My son loves going to the dentist (!) and my daughter came away from her first appointment with a positive impression.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

[Krissy]

For what its worth, 3 years!!!  That is what my dentist in Australia told me.

[terri]

Totally agreed with larissab. A Swiss dentist whom I use to know also recommends that I bring my child in for visits after he turns two. Just to let him get use to the environment and show him the interesting gadgets that dentist have in their offices before subjecting them to a full dental check-up at around 3 yrs old. You may even do a role-play at home first, with your daughter lying on your lap while you floss for her and check her teeth.

[peanut]

Found this on www.babycenter.com   as I was keen to know when to start brushing.

Hope this helps!
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The American Academy of Pediatrics says that you don't need to start taking your child to the dentist until she's about 3, providing her teeth are coming in normally, you're cleaning them regularly, and your pediatrician is checking them at well-baby visits. However, most pediatric dentists say it's a good idea to bring your child in around the time she turns 1, just in case there's a problem that your family doctor can't diagnose.

[Loops]

My dentist reckoned that I should start bringing my kids with me from day one - so that they get used to the place and see me having my teeth examined.  Then she said that they should have checkups as soon as their teeth started to grow.

However, I haven't taken them yet, because my dentist really messed up my teeth when I was a kid (I'm convinced he did it to get the money off the NHS, because surely I didn't need that many fillings - I didn't even eat many sweets!) - so I've decided not to bother until their second teeth start to come through, as I now have a certain distrust of dentists.

[Satine]

Thanks for all the informations. Now I have a problem in convincing my daughter that going to a dentist will be 'fun'. Anyone know how to handle this kinda matter?

[T Fairy]

Just tell her is a rountine every 6 month event and it is "no big thing..."  Make sure the dentist is a GOOD one and knows how to deal with children.  The first dental experience is critical to ensure the child is understanding and cooperative and get's into a healthy pattern with regular treatment and preventative care.  Get a GOOD "kid friendly dentist" and give him/her a call before hand and ask his advice.

In my view you are already late in taking the child to the dentist.  When the teeth come out is the time to get friendly with the dentist...

[Buffy]

There was a local dentist upstairs at Jelita (sorry I can't recall his name) who was very helpful and pleasant...we discussed at what age to bring my daughter in as a lot of what I had read indicated "as soon as her first tooth " arrived...he agreed that was probably a bit unecessary..he recommend cleaning the teeth with a bit of clean guaze if I felt it necessary if she would not co-operate with brushing...he had a child the same age so he understood  the reason for being unsure.

I would have taken her much earlier if I noticed anything odd about my childs jaw or her teeth . Instead I talked about the dentist in a matter of fact way when we brushed her teeth, and read storybooks about dentist visits..and at the age of 2 1/2 she accompanied me (in Australia) to watch my check up and shortly after had her own check up... no dramas. However at these  visits I found out that my orthodontic treatment (some 25 years ago) is vastly outdated and that an entirely different approach is used now...and it starts at a younger age...and it is highly probable that she will inherit my "overcrowdigd/overbite".I recall at the age of 7 throwing up on a dentist out of fear...and following visits were with valium.  Later I endured a great deal of further torture in the name of orthodontics!  So it is not dental caries that I am overly concerned with in seeking to establish a happy relationship with the dentist!!! I agree not to leave it past the age of 3 .

[Satine]

Ok! Planning to take her to a dentist this weekend. Now I need some recommendation for a good dentist, especially for children.

Buffy, you mean Jelita in Holland V? Which floor?

Thanks a lot!  

[Buffy]

Upstairs to the right when you get off the escalator, if I recall correctly. best of luck.