Should I take my two year old to the dentist?

Question

I took my 2 year old to Dr for regular check and she said with so many teeth it is time for her to go to the dentist.I am a little worried about this because I do not want them to use those filthy tools .I read a while back in the news dentists tools and the water that comes out to clean thier mouth has alot of bacteria on them.Can I ask the dentist to wash thier hands and use freshly cleaned intsruments first, and if he does not can I leave and get my mooney back so I could take her to different one? Does anyone else take thier two year old to dentist?

Answer 1

Dentists usually clean their instruments with an autoclave after each use (sterilises them). They also wash their hands thoroughly after each patient. Your child should be perfectly safe. When you go in to book the appointment, explain to them that you are a little nervous about cross infection, and ask them what their hygiene procedures are. They should be happy to explain to you, and if they aren't, you should look for a different dentist.

I've taken all my children to the dentist as soon as their teeth appear (when they are very little it's not so much for an appointment, but just to get them used to the dentist and the chair etc).

Answer 2

When my children were small I didn't put them to bed with milk or juice and after meals I wiped their teeth or gums with a clean, damp washcloth. You can make a game out of it so when you say "open wide" the child will open right up. They can have their own toothbrush, too, even though it's only used with supervision. Dry brushing is better than none. Sometimes the first visit to the dentist is only to get the child comfortable with the chair and comfortable with the dentist.

On my son's first visit to the dentist he just sat in the chair and was very attentive to all that was going on around him. We'd known the dentist as a family friend for many years, but we still couldn't get him to open his mouth. He just clamped it tight shut and shook his head. The dentists, said, "Well, that's okay. I just wanted to meet you anyway. Here's a new toothbrush. Come and see me again soon." I guess my son was still too young. We didn't make a big deal out of it because we didn't want him to be scared. A year later, he was fine.

Nowadays dentists wear disposable gloves like any medical professional. All instruments are sterilized so there won't be any chance of bacteria on them. You can get the dentist to explain as he goes along and you can ask questions. Of course you'll be in the room so your child isn't afraid. When you make the appointment, why don't you ask your questions at that time?

Answer 3

The reason why your pediatrician recommended taking your child to a dentist is because they need to look and make sure everything is growing the right way and that there are no major problems in her mouth that need to be monitored. They will probably not even do an X-ray, since she's a baby. They will do a gentle cleaning, have a look, and call it good.

I don't know what dentists you were reading about, but that is not how any dentist I have ever been to runs their practice. Everything, and I do mean everything, goes through an autoclave (sterilizing machine) before it is set out on the tray to be used. The dentist's assistant sets up the tray with all the tools, including a clean head on the rinsing hose, before or while a patient is being seated. I have no doubt that there are dentists who do not follow sanitary procedures, but I truly believe they are in the minority. If you have a dentist, you should already know about his or her sanitary procedures. If you decide to take your baby to a pediatric dentist, which is actually a very good idea for a child, ask to go in and look at how things are handled in the office. Any reputable dentist will allow you to look at how they run their office, because they will be following good procedures. Someone who doesn't allow you to look or ask questions is someone you don't want to deal with.

In any area of healthcare, there are going to be creepy people who don't follow standard hygienic procedures in their office. Rather than allowing them to make you distrust all healthcare providers, you simply need to know how to recognize them so you don't go to them. Don't let them scare you away from dentists in general. Simply find a good one.

And yes, while I don't have children, most of my friends first took their children to the dentist between the age of 2 and 2 1/2.

Answer 4

Yes, take your child to the dentist.The MD wants to be sure all is well. It is easier to correct small problems earlier than larger ones later. Pediatric dentists sometimes called pedodontist specialize in treating children.(you can find a listings in the yellow pages) Many general dentists love treating kids, but it is best to call ahead to ask. It is standard of care for dentists to autoclave their instruments, wash their hands and wear gloves. The first visit is fun, a check up & cleaning. You can prepare you child by reading books from the library such as Bearnstein Bear Goes to the Dentist or Little Critter's Dental Visit and practice counting her teeth at home with a Qtip.

Answer 5

the dentists here will not see children until 4 years of age. They said that children under that are not usually ready to see a dentist but in case of emergencies they will see them sooner. The dentists office said that children at a younger age are to scared to open their mouth and there isn't much they can really do they just encourage teeth brushing after meals. My son went to his first appt a year ago when he turned 4 and he refused to open his mouth or anything so when they finally got him to open his mouth they just looked around and didn't see any cavities so they said he was fine. The only thing they really do to younger kids is check for cavities and most will put the protectant on their teeth but not all dentists do that. Dentists are required to wash their hands prior to doing anything and they use fresh tips on all their equipment. Your child wouldn't need the equipment used if the teeth are healthy. You can try contacting a dentist and see if they will see your child but i know the ones here don't.

Answer 6

My son is almost two and will be going to a dentist for the first time this month. They usually only look inside the mouth the first visit and dont really do much work on them unless necessary. I have a really good dentist and will be with my son the whole time. I understand your concern. Just make sure to do your research and look around before taking your child to the dentist.

Answer 7

Firstly, yes, take your daughter to the dentist. A pediatric one is the best one to go to, they work very well with children. My daughter, born with a cleft lip/palate, has been seeing the dentist since a very young age.

Dental instruments are cleaned/sterilized with the use of an autoclave, I assure you, they are already cleaned in such a way before the patient comes into the room. Dental professionals wash their hands automatically before even touching a patient, and then they put on gloves.

Your daughter will be in good hands.

Answer 8

going to a dentist is totally different for kids than it is adults. My daughter fell on the corner of the coffee table and hit her 2 front teeth. They turned brown. she was admitted in to the hospital to have white caps put on them. While at the dentist, they used bubble gum flavored gloves. They also have bubble gum flavored gas! The one my daughter went to has small TVs in the ceiling right above the kids chair. They also show Disney movies, and have video games and toys in the waiting area. In most states if your child is on medicaid it is required by law to take your child to a dentist check up by age 2. I have never heard of a dentist not washing tools or their hands. Childrens dentist seem to be more aware than soemof the older dentist "we" seen as children. My daughter was 2 1/2 when she went and now she knows to becareful not to hit her teeth. and she now loves to brush sometimes 6-7 times a day!

Answer 9

I took my daughter when she was also 2 years old... but it was my own dentist appointment.... I just want to show her what is done in the dentist office, introduce her to the receptionists and our family dentist... then they let her sit on the chair and gave her a balloon at the end of our appointment. I let her go again, just to visit the dentist 2 weeks after, then 2 weeks after that, I made an appointment for her already... she was actually excited to go see the dentist because they would give their children patients balloons and stickers...

Answer 10

I so wish that I had fought to take my daughter to the dentist when she was two and not wait until the recommended age! She is terrified of dentist now and I know if I had started her earlier it wouldn't be a problem!