When to take baby to dentist for first time?

Question

My wife and I have a 1 year old daughter this Friday. My question is when to start taking her to the dentist. She has 8 teeth, 4up 4dwn, and is teething right now. Thanks!

Answer 1

I called my dentist and asked him because my baby book said they should see a pediatric dentist as soon as they cut their first tooth. He said, however, that most pediatric dentists would not see a child until they were three, unless there were a special circumstance like a knocked out tooth, etc. He also said that you don;t have to use a pediatric dentist once they are three, that most regular dentists would see children three and over. I called a pediatric dentist in my area also, and he said that same thing.

My daughter also has four tops and four bottoms and is 13 months old.

Answer 2

It really depends on your child. How well she can follow instructions, if she can sit still and open her mouth long enough for a dentist to take a peek.
When my youngest was still in a carrier, my husband was going to the dentist and taking her with him. Over the long term of caring for his teeth, she became very comfortable with the office and staff.(Span of about a year, off & on). Her fist check up was at about 2 years old. She did well, but it all depends on the child.
Be sure to teach her how to brush her teeth.It will be fun for her. But make sure that you or your wife are also brushing her teeth, this way you can make sure they are well taken care of. Don't rush. everything will fall into place......you will know when she is ready.
Also, no I recommend that you never leave you daughter behind closed doors. She is too young to tell you she is being mistreated or in less than a stellar manner. That even goes with any pediatric dentist. They may specialize in pediatrics, but they are still strangers.

Answer 3

We have a 14 month old and I was told to take him to the dentist by his first birthday. We took him and it is more to get him used to the dentist and to make sure that there are not any problems that could affect the new teeth coming in. The doctor told us that one problem that could occur in some babies is that the ligament that attaches the gum to the lip is too low and can cause the front teeth not to grow in correctly. For me, it was just piece of mind to make sure that his teeth were coming in properly and that we were doing everything that we needed to be doing. Good luck!

Answer 4

i talked to my dentist about the same thing and she told me that unless your baby has problems with her teeth, they prefer to wait until they are about 3 years old because they like to wait until they have all their baby teeth in. but some dentists will let you take your baby in just to get used to the dentist

Answer 5

It varies by dentist. But most say between 2 and 3. If all possible find one that specializes in peditatrics. Sometimes they are more expensive but it is well worth it.

Answer 6

The American Academy of Pediatrics says the pediatrician can handle it until 3. The American Dental Association has said two things, when there are teeth, and not until two. I took both my kid for their first dental appointment at two years. Hope that helps.