I was told 3 is the age to start but my son is only 2 and i made an appointment. Am i taking him too early?
2006-07-29 15:26:00 · 14 answers · asked by Still Halloween 6 in Health ➔ Dental
no, i don't see any dental problems, i was just wondering if i should wait until he is 3 before i take him to the dentist. But he is afraid of people in masks so maybe i should wait.
2006-07-29 16:39:07 · update #1
As a dental hygienist, I can say from experience that bringing children in under 3 years of age is basically useless. They don't understand what is happening and they will mostly cry in the chair and nothing will get done anyway. A child of 3 years can understand a bit more and you can talk with them beforehand about what is going to happen. There is nothing scarier for a little 1.5 year old than a stranger with a mask and gloves prying open their little mouth. But....if you notice problems with your child's teeth such as brown spots, take them in to get checked....just be prepared for some crying.
2006-07-29 15:36:23 · answer #1 · answered by MaryK 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I like it when a mom or dad starts to bring a child to accompany them for their dental check-up when the child is mature enough not to cry when their parent gets in the chair. This is usually around age 2. They just might be curious enough to get a ride in the chair - maybe in mom's lap - and this is a start. You just want them to start to gain some familiarity with the office and not really initiate any treatment. I like to do at least a quick look-see by the time a child is three. If they are cooperative, we can do all or part of a cleaning. If the child is resitant by age four, it's time to start being "more insistant" that it's time to be a big boy or girl and let the dentist count their teeth. Some children will be a lot more cooperative with a female dentist or hygienist than a male figure, so that might help if the child is resistant.
Of course, if you are aware of dental problems, age doesn't matter. You have to get the child seen and cared for or referred as soon as possible.
2006-07-29 23:33:18 · answer #2 · answered by Picture Taker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3
2006-07-29 22:29:41 · answer #3 · answered by mamabird 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We usually recommend the first visit to be before they are 3 years old, but older than 2, unless problems.
Reason behind this is that if they are too young then we wont be able to do anything anyways. But if you think there is a problem or the child wont let you adequately access their mouth, you can see a pedodontist earlier. Some general dentists are good with kids, but pedodontists go thru extra schooling to learn how to work with small children.
In hygiene school I saw 2 2yr old and one was perfect and the other wouldn't let me even look! So it all depends on the child!
I am glad you are concerned about your child's dental health!
Good luck and dont make a big deal out of it. Worst thing you can do is to tell your child, dont worry they wont hurt you! They will think, umm they could hurt me???
2006-07-29 22:41:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best time to schedule a dental visit is around your child's third birthday. In some cases it can done as early as one year of age. Whether or not you take your son at the age of two is up to you. If you believe he will be cooperative, then fine, take him. If you believe he may be "squirrely", then wait another year.
2006-07-29 22:32:19 · answer #5 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take the child now, it will be a "happy visit". This is where they get to ride the chair and see that masked people are not bad, they can help. If you take him with you, and he sees that you are O.K. with the visit, then he will most likley be too. Unless you are aware of a problem in his mouth, that should be taken care of right away. Happy visits should be free, and he will get alot out of it, since he will see that no one in the office wants to hurt him, just help. Have fun!!
2006-07-30 00:20:53 · answer #6 · answered by fotocrazy06 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My youngest had just turned three the first time he went to a dentist. The doctor let him ride up and down in the chair, watched my son brush his teeth, gave him 'dental' coloring book and new toothbrush, and congratulated him for coming to the dentist!
2006-07-29 22:31:53 · answer #7 · answered by monkey jacket 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I took my daughter in to work at 2 and she had a ride in the chair and loved it. Just make sure you don't force him to do anything he doesn't want to do, you want it to be a positive experience for him so he will be happy to keep going back there. Tell them he is afraid of masks and perhaps they won't wear one if they are just going to be having a quick look. This is what I do for the little ones that come with their brother or sister for treatment. Quick ride and a sticker and they leave with a big smile and want to come back again.
2006-07-30 01:31:38 · answer #8 · answered by mickeymaz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have trouble getting him to open his mouth...and at that age they probably will only give him a brief look anyway. I took my daughter today for the first time, she is 3 yrs 4 months and did really well! You might as well wait awhile as long as he isn't having any problems now.
2006-07-29 22:29:48 · answer #9 · answered by surlygurl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We usually start seeing patients around age 3, unless you notice a problem before hand. It just helps if they are able to understand more of what is being done and if they are a little older than that also helps them cooperate more.
2006-07-30 00:07:41 · answer #10 · answered by jojo8 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋