What age were your DC when they first went to the dentist?

[sidneyp]

I have a friend who has a 7mo DD who had her first dentist appointment.

My DS is 9 months and I haven't taken him yet.

Should I have taken him by now or is he still too young?

The official advice is to go as soon as first tooth comes through.

We have a family appointment, highly recommended at our dentist. So the children were with us from when they were born. Dentist had a quick look when they got their first teeth.

It just gets them used to the environment, being in the chair, albeit on a parent's knee to begin with. They also see their parents having their teeth checked. We still have the family appointment where we all go in together, my sons are 17 and 14!.

Re toothpaste, the teeniest smearing of it on a brush as you don't want them swallowing it. And yes you should be brushing morning and night. It is a routine you want them to get accustomed to.

Two and my current dentist won’t see children until they are two which horrified the HV when I informed her .

In France it's age 3.
Until then you just brush as teeth come through.

Neither of mine had a problem with their first appointment.

Mine came with me before they had teeth and sat on my lap ... luckily I have q good teeth and so it was always great fun and quite natural, like having your hair done!

Mine were about 2. And yes. Please brush the teeth. Otherwise they will rot. Even milk tots the teeth

My youngest has really bad enamel on her teeth due to vomiting for over 2 years because of her tonsils. So she had to go. They don’t think her adult teeth are effected. But they’ve not done anything about them yet. Which is good. Both my kids LOVE the dentist!

Mine wanted to see them from around nine months just to get them used to going.
I’d ask your dentist and let them be the judge of whether it’s a waste of resources or not.

2 weeks. I missed my appointment the day she was born.

Out dentist really advocates bringing them in as early as possible to get used to the sight/sound/smell of the surgery.

About three. I already knew about brushing them and diet so there wasn't much reason to go sooner.

They still haven't done anything except count them for the last 10 years, I think it's what you do everyday that's much more important.

Ds1 was 10months but not a ‘proper’ check till about 3.5. DS2 was 16months as I waited till ds1 was due a check up at the same time.
For brushing get a soft bristle brush use normal Fluoride toothpaste Just a smearing as they won’t spit out.
Ds2 loves the hey duggee teeth brush song so we sometimes play that or sing to encourage him and he’s really managing to do a good brush now he’s just turned 2.

Switzerland: age 4-5. They go with their kindergarden class.

Mine were at school before they went to the dentist - no issues with either

Mine have come with me to appointments from them being babies but my dentist wouldn't see them until 3.
The school dentist rang me to confirm this after they visited DC3 in early entitlement.

Surely babies shouldn’t have toothpaste put into their mouths? It’s made with questionable chemicals and substances and they will inevitably swallow it. I waited until they were old enough to spit it out, just gently brushing with water if they would let me.

Yes you should use fluoride toothpaste. Just use a smear under age 3 as they cant spit out excess

It's more of a waste on nhs resources when 2/3 year olds (and older) are coming to hospital to have most of their baby teeth removed under anaesthetic. Take babies/toddlers with you on appointments so it can be at least familiar. Follow advice on how to look after babies teeth I'm sure there's plenty. sounds like dentists work differently but I'd want them checking regularly after 1. Look at what baby eats/ risks of decay.
Exactly this.
Prevention is the key and getting kids used to it as early as possible is great.

If you brush your teeth twice a day there’s really no need to over go the dentist imo

I went regularly as a child but since turning 18 I’ve been once every 10 years and only ever needed a check up

I’d go if I have tooth ache or noticed a sore etc but that’s all

I tried to register my 10 month old and they wouldn’t accept her till she’s got all her teeth and is at least 2. This was a week ago. I’m going for a check up next month at a different practice and I’ll take her with me and hope they’ll see her briefly if I shove her at the dentist.

If you brush your teeth twice a day there’s really no need to over go the dentist imo

Well that’s a crap theory...many ppl don’t brush their teeth well enough at all

• If you brush your teeth twice a day there’s really no need to over go the dentist imo

I went regularly as a child but since turning 18 I’ve been once every 10 years and only ever needed a check up

I’d go if I have tooth ache or noticed a sore etc but that’s all*

As a dentist, I'd say that's a bit irresponsible. You are lucky, and obviously look after your teeth, but trust me, your situation is unusual, and NOT to be recommended. I see generally on average 30 patients a day- people with toothache, abscesses, cavities, gum problems, ulceration, infected wisdom teeth, and yes, on occasion- oral cancer as well. Problems if caught early can be managed easily, cheaply and relatively pain free. Problems that are ignored or neglected can be massively expensive, difficult to manage and potentially harmful to your health and well being