I feel really really horrible, but my son's teeth are turning yellow around his gums. I am worried he has cavities. He just turned one a few days ago. I brush his teeth but he fights it and fights it so it is hard for me to brush them well. He has also fallen asleep with a bottle since birth. I already know that was bad and I feel bad enough about it. When I take him in for the first time will they just give him an exam? Do they put him to sleep to examine him? I can imagine doing an exam on a one year old.
2007-07-17 14:38:50 · 11 answers · asked by ? 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
My dentist said they like to start seeing children when they are around 2, and have most of their teeth. Do not let him fall asleep with a bottle, and brush his teeth at least 1x a day, I know he fights it, but you have to get it done.
2007-07-17 14:43:17 · answer #1 · answered by Melissa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just went to the dentist recently & asked that same question. The hygenist told me normally around 3 but it really depends on the child's comfort level & personality. I would try taking your child to the dentist first just to meet him or her before your actual appointment. Maybe you could try buying your son a special toothbrush of his own so he can hold it & participate in the brushing while you use another toothbrush to brush his teeth. That's what I do with my son. Maybe you can buy a special book & read it only after tooth brushing as a reward so it will make it fun. Also, it could be the tooth gel he doesn't like if you're using one. I just brush my son's teeth with water...he's 18 months. He doesn't let me brush his teeth for long so I do it twice a day.
Well, good luck!
2007-07-17 23:04:47 · answer #2 · answered by Another baby boy! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The doctor shouldn't put your child to sleep just for an exam. For any dental treatment they should do what is called conscious sedation. That doesn't put him to sleep, but would help him to relax (he would feel groggy the rest of the day), and that way you don't take the risk of him losing control of his airway (conscious sedation is safer than the normal sedation used for adults, called general anaesthesia) Your son should be fine. He probably has "baby bottle decay" which is common for children if they sleep with a bottle. Those teeth most likely will have to be extracted and you can opt for a bridge until his permanent teeth come in. You should be able to be with him during the exam, you might have to hold him in your lap, some dentists call that a "lap exam". Please choose a pediatric dentist, because they are familiar with children, I work for a pediatric dentist myself; also please don't feel bad about his decay, get him set up with a dentist and take him for his treatment and keep him going to every one of his regular 6 month check-ups until he is 18 years old, and I'm sure your son will have a beautiful smile.
2007-07-20 15:15:06 · answer #3 · answered by lyzz115 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you ask the dentists, they say one year old because they have been finding more and more kids with tooth decay. Believe it or not but parents actually give their babies mountain dew apparently...
If you ask the pediatrician, they say 2-3 years old because practically speaking you can't usually get a 1 year old to sit still.
If you think there is actually a problem with his teeth, I would set up an appointment with a pediatric dentist. They are used to dealing with kids in this age group. I cannot believe they would actually sedate a child unless there was a really good reason to do so!
2007-07-17 21:47:43 · answer #4 · answered by BoysMommy 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I went to the dentist this spring and my hygienist told me to bring my son in by 3 years old. She also told me to start brushing his teeth as soon as he has them. Even before they have teeth, it's a good idea to rub the baby's gums with a special rubber finger sleeve because of the sugars in the milk.
If you are noticing yellow on your child's teeth, you should take them in as soon as you can. Also it's probably a good idea to drop the bottle in the crib/bed.
2007-07-18 01:07:54 · answer #5 · answered by Dimplz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I actually contacted a dentist about this a few days ago. he said that the ADA recommends having children go to the dentist at either the 1st tooth or by their first b-day.
Your child has tooth rot from falling asleep with the bottle in his mouth. He can fall asleep with water.. You need to contact a dentist around your area that specializes in children. They will not put him to sleep.
2007-07-17 22:50:58 · answer #6 · answered by Sarah K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he has yellow stuff on his teeth I would definitely take him to the dentist. I didn't take my daughter until she was 2 yrs. old and the dentist was glad I didn't wait longer b/c my daughter had to get sealants on four of her teeth since they had decay on them. It can be hard the first time, but if you take your son to a good dentist they are really great w/ kids and give them a neat little toy when he's done.
2007-07-17 22:06:56 · answer #7 · answered by ~lattemom~ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yellow around the gums is a sign of plaque build up. If he fights brushing you may want to try a nuk brush. I would also suggest you increase water remove bottle as quickly as possible.
2007-07-17 21:48:58 · answer #8 · answered by itchianna 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no they do not put him to sleep, the dr will most likely just try his best 2 look at his teeth, just keep brushing his teeth real well, usually around 1-2 yrs is the childs first dentist apt.
2007-07-17 21:42:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I find this works for me as far as getting my daughters teeth brushed.
I get my toothbrush, I put her on the sink and we brush together. Children at this age are eager to make you happy, and will enjoy that you are doing this together. Then we "switch" toothbrushes and I go to work on her teeth, and I let her brush mine. It takes a long timebut it gets the job done.
2007-07-17 22:14:13 · answer #10 · answered by jane d 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋