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Parenting

What age did you take your child to the dentist?

24 replies

blue22 · 25/09/2012 09:50

My dd has just turned 3 and I thought I should probably take her to the dentist. However I mentioned it to a friend of mine who has a 6 yr old and a 3 yr old and she said she has never taken either child and there was no need till they had 'big teeth'. I just wondered what others thought. Thanks.

OP posts:

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BedHog · 25/09/2012 09:52

I took both DD and DS at about 6 months. DS didn't even have teeth at that point! It's just a quick check at that age, usually a bit of a struggle to get them to open their mouths until they are old enough to bribe with stickers!

IslaMann · 25/09/2012 09:53

As soon as they have teeth. If only to get them used to sitting in the chair and having their teeth looked at. Good dental hygiene should be practised as soon as they have teeth. Your friend is condemning her children to all sorts of dental issues by not teaching them to look after their teeth.

Skivvytomany · 25/09/2012 09:56

About 6 months. My dentist likes to get them used to being there so they aren't scared to go.

blue22 · 25/09/2012 09:56

Didn't mean to criticise my friend, I was just surprised. I'll definitely make an appointment.

OP posts:

dreamingbohemian · 25/09/2012 10:05

FWIW my husband's mother never took him to the dentist until he was about 7, and he has never had any problems with his teeth. That doesn't mean it's a good idea! But it's not inevitably dooming your kid to problems.

We are just taking DS now, he's 2.5.

popsypie · 25/09/2012 10:14

I took them as soon as I had my next appointment just to get them used to the location. I think dd1 was about six months and she sat on my knee, had a ride on the chair and chewed the little mirror. When her sister arrived I did the same. Dentist only had a proper look at her teeth at about 3 years I think. Neither of them scared of dentist. Dentist was v good about them coming.

VoterColonelSebastianDoyle · 25/09/2012 10:19

I took my dd when she was about six months also, just to get her used to the atmosphere. Shes due in october and im wondering how she will behave (shes 2) as she hates the doctors.

oreocrumbs · 25/09/2012 10:21

From being a few months old, she has come with me and had a sit on the chair. From about 9 months they started to have a look in her mouth, and my last 2 appointments - so she would have been around the 18 mth and 2 year mark she has her own appointment with me.

It is mainly to get them used to it, and I have to say our dentist is brilliant with kids, she lets DD ride up and down on the chair, have a good old explore of all of the stuff and spends a bit of time talking to her.

At the last appointment DD actually sat properly and opened her mouth, so that was good.

In the early years my main concern is getting her used to going, and making sure she isn't frightened.

amck5700 · 25/09/2012 10:25

Mine have always gone with me since they were babies - never had any problems with them opening their mouths or anything as they were too young to build up a fear. I was terrified of the dentist from childhood as i had to get a lot of treatment done - my parents weren't the best at getting me to brush my teeth and eat properly! I then didn't go for 20 years!!

proud to say that mine are 12 and 11 and no treatment yet but No1 son is not the best brusher in the world and has to be reminded constantly.

FizzyLaces · 25/09/2012 10:26

We are all going today me (terrified, need check and hoing he won't notice the broken tooth I have at that back), DD1 15 (needs check up as he hasn't seen her since she got her braces), DD2 just turned 4 (3rd visit but probably won't comply despite massive bribes).

I am crapping myself, taking my kids to the dentist is the hardest part of parenting for me but I try not to show it... My dentist is really lovely and even phoned me yesterday to say how much he is looking forward to seeing us as he knows I might wimp out

amck5700 · 25/09/2012 10:29

Fizzy honestly, after giving birth to 2 kids, there is nothing a dentist can do to you that even compares :) Man Up!!

(but well done you for conquering your fears to make sure your kids are looked after) That's what got me back after 20 years and now it doesn't phase me in the slightest.

FizzyLaces · 25/09/2012 11:37

AMK, it is actually quite a rational fear after I nearly didn't come round from an anaesthetic at aged 5 when dentists were still allowed to do that and my Mum became so scared she never took us back.

I have always been very conscientious with my kids as I know what problems my Mum has caused for me and my brothers dental (and mental health) by not taking us even though I understand why. I am really scared though but am so luck with my dentist, he really is an angel:)

Well done to you too!

amck5700 · 25/09/2012 11:40

Ahh - I can well remember the gas at the dentist and the awful nightmares I had while under it - it seemed to last for ever but i guess in reality it was only a few minutes. i think dentistry has definitely moved on. i had to get some root canal treatment and it was a relative doddle :)

FizzyLaces · 25/09/2012 11:41

OMG root canal. You are my hero :)

amck5700 · 25/09/2012 11:52

lol - you will be fine, all the best with the appointment.

Pascha · 25/09/2012 12:20

DS is just two so far he has gone with me or DH but not for his own appointment yet. He just has a couple of moments at the end of the appointment on my lap playing Open Wide for the dental nurse. They told us they would accept a registration for him at two so next time we go in he will have his own check. Still only Open Wide though I think.

cathers · 25/09/2012 12:30

Our dentist likes the Dc to tag along to my appointments as soon as possible so they get used to sitting in the chair, the noises and associate it with being a 'good' place.

Proper check ups in the chair started at age 3, nothing serious, but just ensuring good spacing for 'big boy' teeth and to instill a bit of competitive brushing between the kids!

vodkaanddietirnbru · 25/09/2012 12:38

both mine went from when they first got teeth so from around 6 months.

Fuzzymum1 · 28/09/2012 21:51

They have always tagged along to my appointments, i don't remember with the older boys but my youngest who is five was under a year when he first had his teeth checked - a quick look and nothing more.

ipswichwitch · 28/09/2012 21:58

DS was 8month and came along with me- unfortunately he was hungry and screamed blue murder, but at least the dentist saw his teeth!! He'll be coming when I go back for the cake and polish I didn't get done that time.

mmira · 28/09/2012 22:01

I started taking mine when they were 2-3

shrimponastick · 28/09/2012 22:01

Ds always came with me from being a baby and laid on my chest. He was registered as a patient at about 1 I think - and opened his mouth nicely for the dentist.

Never had any trouble with him going.

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vodkaanddietirnbru · 28/09/2012 22:02

ipswichwitch, cake and polish sounds nice!!

ipswichwitch · 28/09/2012 22:27

Stupid iPhone! Meant clean and polish....although I'd have no problem going to the dentist if they offered cake :)

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