Toddlers and Dentists

[E&Cmom]

We started ours at a paediatric dentist around 18-19 months.

 

[EMom]

Pediatric dentist at 12 months. She had teeth.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Our first pediatrician said to have them seen starting at age 3, the next pediatrician said to start at age 2, the third pediatrician has never mentioned it, and the pediatric dentist says to start by 6 months or when the first teeth erupt. Clearly one of these medical professionals is in the business of making money.

Quick question I’ve been wondering about: As far as routine checkups go, dental appointments are scheduled every 6 months and doctor’s appointments are typically done on an annual basis. Can anyone tell me why my teeth need twice as much monitoring as the rest of my entire body? Especially when problems with my teeth are unlikely to kill me, whereas a heck of a lot of serious issues could arise within the body.

 

[Princesca]

Quick question I’ve been wondering about: As far as routine checkups go, dental appointments are scheduled every 6 months and doctor’s appointments are typically done on an annual basis. Can anyone tell me why my teeth need twice as much monitoring as the rest of my entire body? Especially when problems with my teeth are unlikely to kill me, whereas a heck of a lot of serious issues could arise within the body.

I have been reading that chronic inflammation, including periodontal disease, may cause a host of other diseases, including Alzheimer's. I'm no expert - that's just what I've read.

 

[Princesca]

Thanks for all this feedback! I'll probably make an appointment for him at 2.5. I think by then he might be able to handle opening his mouth for the dentist. At this point, he is definitely NOT there.

In the meantime, he drinks either milk or water and does not go to bed with a bottle. We have a firm no gummies policy, and he gets sweets in very tiny amounts on special occasions. We went to a family reunion where we let him have fun with an ice cream sandwich, but that's definitely a rarity for him. Hopefully that plus daily brushing will keep him in good shape until he's able to keep his shark-like mouth open for the dentist. LOL.

 

[Mysterian]

"Toddlers and Dentists..."

"Name the pros and cons of the average Tooth Fairy."

 

[DodgerGirl]

I remember having my very first dental visit at seven years old and I can tell you it was frightening for me because when the dentist tried to get me to open my mouth I would always cry my eyes out and then when they would brush my teeth they would do it twice because I would not always pay attention but my teeth would always be brushed. But I remember having my first oral surgery and I would not stop screaming and crying for no reason and I wanted my mom there with me and I remember they gave me sleeping medicine to put me to sleep which I disliked and it made me cry so much but then I got braver and then it went easy for me. When you do make your son's appointment be sure to brush his teeth the night before and then do it again the morning of his appointment and then your son will have an easier time and it's best to see if the dentist has morning appointments because that's the time that most dentists are the least busy and you'll be able to see the dentist quickly and fast. One last thing to bring if your son gets scared of the dentist is a favorite plushie and when the dentist does the real scary parts of the exam your son can give his plushie a big hug to calm him and believe it or not it really works. I hope this advice helps you a lot and good luck with your son at the dentist Princesca
Dodger

 

[nancipants]

I just took mine last month, he’s 2.5. The hygienist cleaned his teeth, the dentist looked in his mouth, and they told me the best way to clean his teeth. I was in the office with him, but once he’s 3 he’ll go back by himself. He cried for the entire appointment. I’m hoping his next visit won’t be as traumatic. He’s becoming a lot better about doctor visits and sat through his second haircut without any trouble at all. So hopefully he’s getting the hang of this all.

I probably should have taken him much earlier because he got all his teeth super young, but he was a biter.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

I started taking my daughter at 1, she had 3 teeth and we had already been brushing. She sat in my lap and let the dentist look in her mouth, brush and floss her teeth and do some fluoride. Then she got to pick out a new tooth brush. Honestly, I would have taken her even if she didn’t have teeth to help with getting used to the dentist. If there were to be an emergency of some sort it will already be scary, but at least some things would be familiar.

We didn’t do a pediatric dentist though, I took her to my dentist who is a family dentist.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

I was in the office with him, but once he’s 3 he’ll go back by himself.

Why? I would be switching dentists, that’s a crazy policy.

I know I’m getting older but a parent came back with me until I started going to appointments alone.

 

[nancipants]

Why? I would be switching dentists, that’s a crazy policy.

I know I’m getting older but a parent came back with me until I started going to appointments alone.

Apparently the kids do better with the appointments when they are by themselves. It’s a large room with all the chairs next to each other and they get to choose what they watch during the appointment. If they are very upset and can’t calm down, they’ll call a parent back.

 

[kymom99]

My

Why? I would be switching dentists, that’s a crazy policy.

I know I’m getting older but a parent came back with me until I started going to appointments alone.

My son is 23 and when he went to the pediatric dentist he always went back alone. They take 6 kids at a time and there really isn’t room for parents. They meet with the parents after the exam in a little conference room.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

Apparently the kids do better with the appointments when they are by themselves. It’s a large room with all the chairs next to each other and they get to choose what they watch during the appointment. If they are very upset and can’t calm down, they’ll call a parent back.

That’s so interesting. I’ve never seen a dental office like that. I’ve always used family dentists though and they’ve all pretty much had the same layout where there are mostly private rooms. That makes way more sense.

My

My son is 23 and when he went to the pediatric dentist he always went back alone. They take 6 kids at a time and there really isn’t room for parents. They meet with the parents after the exam in a little conference room.

I’m 30 but I’ve always seen family dentists so never seen that type of layout. All the offices I’ve been to have the layout with rooms. That makes much more sense if it’s a big open area with a bunch of hygienists and dentists together.

 

[nancipants]

That’s so interesting. I’ve never seen a dental office like that. I’ve always used family dentists though and they’ve all pretty much had the same layout where there are mostly private rooms. That makes way more sense.


I’m 30 but I’ve always seen family dentists so never seen that type of layout. All the offices I’ve been to have the layout with rooms. That makes much more sense if it’s a big open area with a bunch of hygienists and dentists together.

I don’t really remember how my dentist did it (I’m 40 ftr), but that’s how it was when I had braces. Big room with all the chairs. My mom never came back with me except when they had to explain stuff to her like rubber bands and cleaning. Boy, I don’t miss braces!

 

[TipsyTraveler]

My kids go to a pediatric dentist. They have both the large room with multiple stations for regular cleanings and private rooms for procedures. Both spaces have dedicated seating for “guests” and parents are welcome to sit in on appointments.

 

[AppleDumpling]

DS started going sometime between age 2 and 3. He went to a pediatric dentist until age 14 when he was finished with braces (the orthodontist worked out of the same office). They always allowed parents in the room if you wanted to be there.

 

[OneOftheB's]

Why? I would be switching dentists, that’s a crazy policy.

I know I’m getting older but a parent came back with me until I started going to appointments alone.

My husband says that kids 100% act better when parents are not within view of the kids. He will let parents sit just outside of the kid’s view (his office is all small rooms with two doors leading into the hallway) but not in the room or in view of the child.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Neither of our pediatric dental offices would let parents go back with their kids, and they were practically militant about it. One day my daughter was crying and they still wouldn’t let me go back with her. That was when we went to a family dentist.

 

[Marrila]

Neither of our pediatric dental offices would let parents go back with their kids, and they were practically militant about it. One day my daughter was crying and they still wouldn’t let me go back with her. That was when we went to a family dentist.

I think things have changed over the years. The pediatric dentists I know about in my area these days are welcoming and family friendly.