My daughter is 11 months old and she has 8 teeth. She's been teething again and it looks like 2 more are coming in on the bottom. When should she see a dentist? She has a toothbrush and she brushes her teeth herself without toothpaste? Should she be using one of those toddler toothpastes now?
2006-08-30 06:34:41 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
Take your child for a check-up at your earliest convenience. Make it a simple affair, and don't scare your child. It's important to make the first appointment very easy. This way she will develop trust with the dentist. Maybe take them with you when you're only having a check-up yourself (don't have treatment that day).
The worst thing I ever see is when parents bring in a child for the first time when they have a toothache, and expect me to "do something". Really stressful for all concerned. Often the child has been told frightful things like "He's not going to hurt you...". Kids aren't stupid, they can read between the lines of that sort of phrase. If you would like me to forward me a brochure about "The First Appointment", then please send me an email address.
Please use a childrens' toothpaste. It helps clean away better than brushing alone. As soon as she stops swallowing paste, you can switch her to an adult paste. Until about the age of 7, no child can be trusted to brush their teeth properly - they don't have the understanding or dexterity. You or your partner MUST do it for her, TWICE a day. Keep her away from any sweetened drinks - cordials, juices ("natural" or otherwise), and soft drinks. Encourage plain tap water.
Ask among friends and family for a dentist who likes kids.
2006-08-30 07:11:36 · answer #1 · answered by Dr Matt W (Australia) 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your daughter sounds like she is doing well by her dental health. It sounds like she has a good role model! Most children won't sit still long enough for a true dental exam and cleaning until they are around 3-4 years old. I recommend you take her with you when you get your teeth cleaned until that age so that she becomes familiar with the dentist and his staff. She can sit in the chair and let the dentist or hygienest look at her teeth (if she is willing) just to make sure she doesn't have any obvious problems. She does not need to use any toothpaste, the manual action of brushing should be sufficient for now. Of course, do not give her sugary drinks or treats, and never lay her down with a bottle of anything other than water.
2006-08-30 06:45:28 · answer #2 · answered by Michele L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They reccomend for a baby to go to a dentist for the first time at 1 year of age. Usually the dentist will say to come back in 1 year instead of the regular 6 months for baby's and young children, if there are no problems. It's good that she brushes her own teeth, but you should follow up as baby's do not have the dexterity to do a good job. There should be baby toothpaste at your store, then after a few months it should be fine to switch to a toddler toothpaste. The baby ones usually say tooth and gum cleaner on the package.
2006-08-30 06:42:50 · answer #3 · answered by nimo22 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh dear, now I know why so many people in this Community have so much trouble with their teeth...
Because they think going to the dentist is a "waste of time" (osu fanz), or the dentist appointment is "horrifying" (kitty.hicks) or they believe milk teeth are not so important because "they get out when she gets older" (lind saza)....
Guys, that´s exactly the problem. You think the dentist appointment is a waste of time, so you wait until their teeth hurt and then it´s indeed horrifying for your poor babies. But thanks to god and mother nature the milk teeth get out when the kids are older. And then they wait until their (new) teeth hurt, because mom and dad did the same when they where small.
Wake up moms and dads. For a baby it´s not horrifying to come to a dental practice if nothing is to be done. I even tell pregnant women to bring their baby to every appointment of themselves, so the child grows up with it. And every time they get a little bit more brave and one day they let me look into their mouths without whining. They are even proud if I "count their teeth" and then praise them.
2006-08-30 08:47:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I took my daughter to the dentist when she was about 3 years old and it was a complete waste of time. If you think Santas scary imagine a strange man in a mask trying to get in their mouth. Yeah get her something that tastes good because shes probably swallowing a little bit, her teeth should be fine for a few years without a dentist
2006-08-30 06:40:36 · answer #5 · answered by osu_fanz 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Usually between the ages of 2 and 3
2006-08-30 07:19:04 · answer #6 · answered by shizzlechit 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ask your pediatrician. Most will recommend a dentist between the ages of 12 -18 months.
2006-08-30 06:40:53 · answer #7 · answered by onewikkedwoman 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
usually as soon as there teeth start coming in if you wait until they are too old they can get cavities.. i have twins and we brushed there teeth 2x a day we waited to take them to the dentist until they were 2 and one of them had 8 cavaties bcause they were born with no enamel on there teeth and i would have been able to prevent that if i took them when they first started getting teeth... good luck
2006-08-30 06:38:57 · answer #8 · answered by Muy Buena 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i ask my baby Doctor the same question. he said after the first tooth comes in. i have been to two dentist appointment. she is almost a year old and has six teeth.
2006-08-30 06:45:59 · answer #9 · answered by christina 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a good time now, she probably wont need anything done but it's not a bad thing to start her early. The dentist probably won't want to see her often ( every six months or so ) unless she starts having problems.
2006-08-30 06:39:22 · answer #10 · answered by roamin70 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋