Who is BU regarding babies and dentists?

[Kayano]

Dd had 2 teeth at 18 weeks and I can see 2 more about to push through.

Very fast and unexpected!

I diligently went and got baby toothpaste and baby toothbrush and brush them twice a day and bought a spare toothbrush for her to hold and play with.

I was at the dentist on Friday (out in 5 mins, no problems!) and took the opportunity to register dd and book her in with me for 6 months time
(NHS dentist - lovely and no problems)

Dh has a cousin who doesn't brush her kids teeth and has said you don't need to bother til they are one! Dh also goes to his old family dentist because he likes them whereas we go to a local one.

His NHS dentist has (annoyingly) told dh that babies do not need to be registered before the age of 2 and not checked before 2.5

So now dh thinks I am pen for cleaning her teeth!

To put this in context his own niece had 6 teeth removed at 2.5!!!! They didn't clean her teeth or register her with the dentist til later on. I am of the opinion that this shouldn't happen and as long as dd has teeth she should have them

1. cleaned
2. checked regularly by a dentist

So who is BU? Me and my dentist or DH and his?

Nb - DD is now 20 weeks and will be 11 months at her first dentist appointment

I don't know why dentists would tell people not to get their children's teeth checke for 2.5 years!!!

Strikes me as stupid!

Your dh is BU.

There is no harm in brushing teeth, registering at the dentist and taking your dd along to the dentist to get her used to it. Whereas it could cause a problem to not bother with dental care until later on.

I had thought that dentists did like to check them earlier. If nothing else it is an opportunity for the child to get used to someone looking at their teeth in a clinical environment.

DD was 12 weeks at her first appt at dentist. Well with child smile practitioner who is a dental nurse. They check for any teeth maybe coming thru, tell u about brushing there teeth, weaning, bottles etc at 1 year old. She was registered at 4 weeks when I was at a check up. Dentist told me to do it while I was there. YANBU

My dad was a dentist and recommended cleaning baby teeth and gums with a damp cloth NOT a toothbrush as this can hurt/damage their gums. Toothbrush when they have more teeth - 12-18months.

Ist appointment should be when they are able to follow instructions and open their mouth of own accord (about 3ish)

YANBU!

Babies need their teeth brushed! Simple as that!

we are encouraged to register and take babies along to the dentist as soon as they get teeth. My 2 have gone with me when I go for my 6 monthly appointments from when they were about 6 months old and the dentist has had a look in their mouths. It gets them used to the experience and makes them less likely to be frightened of the dentist.

SIL DH is dentist. They brush DN's two teeth, aged 9 months.

DD is 2.4, we've cleaned her teeth since about 9mo. She's never been to the dentist though, she refuses to open her mouth when asked. What a pointless visit that would be.

My dentist doesn't register children until around the age of 2. He says it's because they don't need a appointment to themselves, they need to come with mum or dad or siblings and "get used" to the dentist first. He said before the age of 2 very few DCs will open their mouth for him to look anyway - HOWEVER if there was ever a problem he would be happy to see them. Has worked for all 3 of my DCs who now happily sit in the dentists chair.

They are never too young to get their teeth cleaned / get used to toothbrush IMO.
I took my dc about the time they had a few teeth whenever I had an appointment initially as my dentist said it was good to get the used to the chair etc. my dentist was also hot on diet etc and had loads of tooth healthy food / drink info and also gave me sensible advice re sweeties etc. - it is better to have a whole packet in a short period as 1 sweet will do the same damage as a packet rather than eat sweets all day as the teeth get constantly bathed in sugar and don't get a chance to remineralise.
They have got very healthy teeth ds had to have 4 out for orthodontic work and he had to have a very minor filling a few weeks ago so at 15 I think that's not bad. The others have no fillings or extractions.
So I think you are right he is wrong,
Other than taking care with fluoride I never heard of any child having problems from teeth that are too clean or healthy!! Whereas the alternative .....

I'm not waiting til DD is three when DNeice had 6 teeth removed at 2.5! That's even worse!

I find it horribly irresponsible!

YANBU, your DH and his dentist are.
DS used to go and sit in the chair, the dentist moved it up and down, told a few little stories and looked in his mouth, with much loud and enthusiastic "aaahing" This happened on several occasions before the dentist started to actually poke about and by that time DS was completely at ease with it.
I remember not seeing a dentist until I was at least 3 or 4, perhaps that was the way it used to be done then and your DH's dentist is a little old fashioned?

I've cleaned DD's teeth every night at bathtime since they first appeared at about 6 months. She is nearly 2 now and has never been to the dentist because I just can't imagine she'd cooperate with the dentist, she hasn't had a haircut yet for the same reason. If I thought she'd cooperate I'd take her though, the thought of a little one having to have teeth out is horrible, must be a traumatic experience for them. YANBU, good luck with the first dentists appointment.

I registered both of mine when they were born. They came with me to my check ups and the dentist always checked their teeth then as well. So every six months since they had teeth. He makes a big fuss of them and showers them in stickers, they love going.

Your DH is being very unreasonable.

I registered both of mine when they were born. They came with me to my check ups and the dentist always checked their teeth then as well. So every six months since they had teeth. He makes a big fuss of them and showers them in stickers, they love going.

Your DH is being very unreasonable.

Yanbu, Ds will be going to the dentist with me at my next appointment.

He is 23 months and likes brushing his teeth so much he will not allow me to do it. Problem is he doesn't exactly brush them so much as chew the toothbrush. If I try and brush them for him he bites down on the toothbrush so hard I can't move it.

If anyone can tell me how I get around this I would be most grateful!

My dentist doesn't register children until 2/3. He does encourage teeth cleaning though! I didn't see much point I taking then earlier, they would have hated it! In fact at his first appointment at 3 ds refused to commply, he was fine st 3.5 thpugh. I would then presumerably have to wait longer for appointments if all young children had check ups as he would be more busy and being a great dentist do already really busy.

When he does see kids he is fab, let's them hold s mirror to watch what he doing, gets them to help count siblings teeth, shows them PowerPoint presentations about healthy eating and effect on teeth.

She doesn't have a separate appointment to me she is just getting checked over by the dentist at my appointment which is good enough for me at this age. I just can't contemplate not taking her if she has teeth

Dh just goes on and on as if I am some pfb obsessive mother!

I saw DN in agony with dried blood all over her clothes

I think they should be cleaned but I disagree that there is any point in having them checked regularly until they are 2.5 because they just won't open their mouths.

DS has been to the dentist twice and he's 5. He has not had to have any teeth removed.

Some of us have jobs and can't take children to the dentist as a day out opportunity

Kayano while I agree with you re the dentist and the brushing, you may find that the reason your niece had so many teeth removed at 2.5 was more down to diet than brushing. Did she take a bottle to bed with her? Or eat lots of ketchup, baked beans or fruit roll ups? A lot of people think it is just sweets you need to worry about but there is loads of sugar in ketchup etc.

Btw you have prompted me to go and register my 9 month old and get a check up for me too.

Oh, you are lucky that your dentist will check her teeth at such a young age. Mine refused to see DD till she was 2. Her teeth are fine as we have a good oral health regime, but I was still concerned.

YANBU. Teeth are very important and their health should not be taken for granted.