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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

When did you first take your child to the Dentist?

32 replies

confussedmisfit · 29/05/2019 10:10

As title says.

Our 6 yo Ds has just lost his first tooth, he's very excited about it. And seems to have very healthy teeth.
3yo DD obviously hasn't lost a tooth yet and again seems to have a healthy mouth. In fact she loves brushing her teeth and often asks to do it throughout the day.

But as yet neither of them have been to see a dentist
And with the new guidelines that state before they are 1 I'm guessing we're well behind?

For the record, I go every 6 months. My wife goes once every two years as advised by her Dentist.

OP posts:

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twoheaped · 29/05/2019 10:12

I took mine with me everytime I went from them being babies.
As soon as they were old enough to open their mouths, the dentist would have a peek in.
I was keen not to make the dentist a fearful experience.

AppleKatie · 29/05/2019 10:14

As soon as they had teeth, every six months.

I wonder every time if there is any point (nothing wrong!) but it seems like as good a habit as any to get them into.

avocadochocolate · 29/05/2019 10:14

Similar to two - I took my DCs to the dentist from babies. Never mind OP, just make an appointment now.

hsegfiugseskufh · 29/05/2019 10:15

mine went when he was about 2. They just sort of looked in his mouth tbh it was entirely pointless but I just wanted him to get used to it.

Slightaggrandising · 29/05/2019 10:17

The 6 year old should have been going for at least 3 years. At least you can get the 3 year old on track. Not good.

Sicario · 29/05/2019 10:18

I started all mine off young and took them with me to my own appointments so they could meet the dentist, have a go in the big chair, and let him look at their teeth. By the time they needed their own appointments they were wild with excitement.

BikeRunSki · 29/05/2019 10:21

My dentist looked at DS’s gums at 6 months old, when I took him with me to my appointment. He has been to the dentist every 6 months since, dd too.

ItsAllGone19 · 29/05/2019 10:24

Both of my girls started seeing the dentist alongside me until they got their teeth in properly then I'd just book a family appointment for us.

My sister didn't do the same and just registered her children when school prompted her. You are a little late starting with the dentist, but not terribly so. Just get them both registered and they'll be fine.

Thesearmsofmine · 29/05/2019 10:26

Once they started getting teeth so between 6 months and 15 months for my lot.

Hollowvictory · 29/05/2019 10:27

About 2 years okd. Why haven't you taken them to the dentist? That's very surprising. Or negligent.

SpideyMom · 29/05/2019 10:35

Since he was 2. Everytime I went they just checked out his mouth, to get him used to it

Greyhound22 · 29/05/2019 10:36

I've been taking DD every 6 months since he was around 18 months.

2beautifulbabs · 29/05/2019 10:44

I took my DS as soon as he turned one and had teeth I was told as soon as they turned 1 or as soon as they had teeth to take them my DS was late at teething and didn't get his through until he turned 1

TerribleTwosPhase · 29/05/2019 10:47

DD has been going with me since she was a baby, first time was when she was around 6 months. My parents didn't regularly take me to the dentist snd i dont have great teeth so its something i think is very important for her. Have they never had child smile visit or anything to discuss this with you?

ItsWitchingTime · 29/05/2019 10:50

I was a little late on getting my two signed up for the dentist, no big deal just sign them up when you next go, my youngest is turning one shortly and has 3 teeth so I'm signing her up today.

On a side note my eldest had perfect teeth /oral hygiene - still does - but his adult teeth are coming through slightly yellow which broke my heart, turns out when he had chicken pox as a toddler it affected his adult teeth☹️

Scrumptiousbears · 29/05/2019 10:53

I started at 2.5 years and we go every 6 months. However they were registered from birth.

Limer · 29/05/2019 10:54

When they got their first tooth. They loved it, they got a ride in the special chair and were given stickers. The six-monthly checkups were always eagerly anticipated!

megletthesecond · 29/05/2019 10:54

As soon as they had teeth. The dentist just gave them a gentle check when they were tiny.

InTheEndgameNow · 29/05/2019 10:56

As soon as they had teeth here. The first couple of visits were very quick. Basically had a quick look and then talked to me about caring for their teeth.

As they got older the checks became more in depth and now they get that protective stuff painted on each visit and go every six months.

butteryellow · 29/05/2019 10:58

They always came with us - from 2 or 3 the dentist would 'count their teeth' - at first sitting on DP or my lap, then, once they were comfortable, on the chair on their own.

We don't go every 6 months though - once a year is what we've always been recommended.

butteryellow · 29/05/2019 10:59

On a side note my eldest had perfect teeth /oral hygiene - still does - but his adult teeth are coming through slightly yellow which broke my heart, turns out when he had chicken pox as a toddler it affected his adult teeth

My eldest also has perfect teeth (only drinks milk and water.. unlike his younger brother) - his adult teeth are more yellow than his baby ones, the dentist said that was completely normal.

StrumpersPlunkett · 29/05/2019 11:02

Every time I went from when they were born. When they were getting teeth they opened their mouth for the dentist.
I would say don’t over think it go now!

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lhw92 · 29/05/2019 11:02

I don’t have DC but I strongly recommend going once/twice a year
Especially when they’re young so it can instill good dental hygiene habits

InterchangeableEmma · 29/05/2019 11:06

I took mine with me from birth (due to lack of childcare TBH). Once the first teeth came in I'd always get them to show the dentist - literally a peek on the way out. Later they'd climb in the chair after me to show the dentist. It was such a gradual process that I'm not sure how old they were when they had their first actual dental appointment and check, maybe 18 months? We still kept up the thing of the dentist seeing me first and them immediately after. It's worked a treat.

FloofenHoofen · 29/05/2019 11:07

The problem with starting to take them later in life is that they can become quite scared very easily. They've not had a transition period where you've taken them from when their first teeth came through.
I speak from experience. My mum didn't take me till I was 5 and by then I had already figured out that the dentist was scary and questioned everything they tried to put in my mouth. I therefore ended up not going until I was in my twenties after having a phobia for most of my childhood and teen years.

My own daughter has been going since she was around 1 and a half. The younger you do it the easier it will be as they'll have repeated trips and know there is nothing to be scared of.

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