I am confused... my daughters daoctor said that she doesn't need to have her first dentist visit?

Question

until she is three years old. I thought that to be odd but I went with it, now I am reading that as soon as they get teeth they need to start their check ups. When did you start your childrens check ups? what did your doctor say? My daughter is 16 months old and has almost ALL of her teeth.

Answer 1

Hmmm; personally never heard of that. My daughter had her first check-up as soon as she had some teeth. If you wait until they are three problems can develop. Our children are adopted and two of my kids had never seen a dentist until we adopted them at ages 4 and 2. The 2 year old's front teeth were halfway rotted through and the four year had to have teeth pulled because they were so rotton. Now, obviously, a lot of that was due to poor diet and never brushing their teeth but still. Personally, if I were you I would find a pediatric dentist and make an appointment. It can save a lot of problems later on.

Answer 2

I don't think there is one accepted answer or "rule". I've read and heard so many different things, even among dentists. When I was researching dentists for my son, some dentists said kids should be seen as soon the first tooth is out, some said at 3-4 years, and some said 1 year, even if there are no teeth yet! (they explained it was to check the baby's gums) The only thing anyone seems to agree on is that a child should definitely be going by age 3 or 4.

If your daughter has a lot of teeth and you are worried, I'd say to take her. But like someone else said, some dentists won't see a child until 3 unless there is something wrong (pain, broken tooth, obvious rotting, etc.). This is probably because younger kids might be less likely to cooperate during the check-up. You should look up some pediatric dentists and find out their policies; maybe even call a couple and ask them for advice.

My son's first visit was when he turned 4, and his check-up was fine. He's been to two different dentists so far, and neither expressed any concern that he should have gone in sooner. In fact, the first thing they asked was whether it was his first check-up, so I would guess this is a common age to start. If you are brushing her teeth regularly and she isn't eating or drinking too much sugary stuff, I don't think you need to worry. One thing I wish I had known earlier was that I could've started flossing my son's teeth--I always thought that kids didn't need to start until later, like maybe 6 and up, but both dentists we've been to said that we should start if we hadn't already (using one of those flosser thingies; this was at age 4). If I had known, I would have started as soon as he cooperated well at the sink, and his teeth were tall/long enough for floss to make a difference.

Of course, it's never wrong to want to make sure, so like I said before, if you want to take her to a dentist, you should, no matter what your doctor says.

Answer 3

Three is a good age, but some start earlier so that the child can get used to going to the dentist. You can keep your childs teeth clean in the mean time. Just make sure you use childrens crest. Not a whole lot very little. Use a toddlers toothbrush as well.

Most childrens dentist will see the children before age three, but they don't do anything but count the teeth. We started at age two and a half, but there is no harm in waiting till age three.

Answer 4

My older son just had his three year check up a few weeks ago, and his pediatrician said age 3 years is a good time for their first check up. I think I might wait though--he *still* hates having his teeth brushed at home (it's a struggle every night), and I can only imagine what would happen if he had to sit in a dental chair and have a stranger pry his mouth open. His pediatrician said if we wanted to wait until 3 1/2 that's fine. Just be sure that we brush his teeth every other day very thoroughly, and let him brush them himself on the other days of the week, even if he doesn't do the greatest job, he still needs to learn.

My sister in law just took her son to the dentist for the first time a few months ago. He's nearly 4 1/2 now.

Answer 5

I asked my dentist last week, I have a 12 month old she said 2 to 2 1/2 but make sure to brush their teeth 2x a day.

Answer 6

Your doctor is not a dentist. You should be getting her teeth checked by the time she is a year old. this is mainly for preventative measures and to make sure everything's in place.

Answer 7

MOST dentist..even children's dentist...won't see them til they are 3 yrs old. My doctor didn't tell me squat..>I called the dentist I intended to use. They do a first check up, which is really a getting to know you and let you check things out check up.My girls LOVE their dentist..so much so that when he had to drill to fill weird little cavities that are highly unusual in their front teeth, they did it without having to be put to sleep. NOW that's trust!!! Mom to3.

Answer 8

My doctor also told me when they are 3 or 4 yrs old.My son is 3 and i just took him to the dentist a couple of weeks ago.He always goes with me so i thought there wouldn't be a problem but he hated it he refused to open his mouth, he even went so far as to pull his shirt over his head.They said he's not ready.We will try again in 6mths.

Answer 9

The age a child should have there first check up is at 4. But whenever your pediatrician see's him , yearly physical they always look at there teeth to make sure they are fine. My son is now gonna be 4 and next month he is having his first check up!

Answer 10

My oldest we started at 2 and she was fine, the flouride treatments are important. My youngest however would have nothing to do with it, she went once at 3 and just started again at 5. And yes she got in trouble and got things taken away etc, but she was scared for some reason and the dentist himself said not to force her.