Not to take DD to the dentist?

[CryingOverSpiltMilk]

To clarify, I don't mean at all, I take oral hygiene really seriously but feel it's possibly not the right time.

DD is 13 months, hates her teeth brushed and screams bloody murder despite anything and everything I've tried. Someone suggested and electric toothbrush and whilst she doesn't scream as much during teeth brushing, she hates the sound of the toothbrush being switched on. She's the same with certain sounds - for example, I took my car for an MOT and she sat bolt upright to look out at what was going on and whinged then nuzzled in for security when she wasn't sure. She's also been a bit dribbly from teething and probably not on top form at the moment where she's grumpy with her teeth.

She has an obvious underbite and I need her teeth checked in general. I'm going to the dentist so on HV's advice of letting her see me getting my teeth checked, I booked in a double visit a while ago (before this upset with certain noises started) but no one else can go with to comfort her if DD isn't sure about the noises and I'd just intended to leave DD in her pram during my check up and hygiene clean.

AIBU to think maybe I need to let her get over this awkward phase that's just started in the last couple of weeks or do I need to suck it up and get it over with?

Do they expect you to a leave a 13mo in there on their own?

Isn't that just a recipe for a dental phobia?

I couldnt take my oldest until he was over 2 years. He was a VERY high needs baby/child, with sensory issues/anxiety etc. I had to wait until he could undertsand what was going on a bit more until I could take him. He had the same kind of issues your LO had. I ended up just letting him chew on a toothbrush/brushing mitt.

Wait. My DS has horrid chronic tonsillitis from 12-18mo, and became pretty phobic about having his mouth looked into (so many doctors had looked down his very very sore and ulcerated throat, so many times) .
I decided to leave it until he was over the worst- unfortunately it’s taken me 6 months to get him an appt (my area has a terrible shortage of dentists) - so he’ll be 2 before he sees anyone, but we brush twice a day and he doesn’t have sweets or juice, so hoping he’s fine...

But if you don't start taking her now she will never get used to the sounds and smells. Take her in her pram. A check up is quick. I am sure the dentist will be fine if she is a bit grizzly. Then let her sit on your knee and look around. The dentist will be used to small tots being strange. They won't force her to open her mouth. You need her to be comfortable going by the time she really needs to have her teeth checked properly.

I would still take her with you - dentists are very used to babies and children finding it scary.

My son used to hate having his teeth brushed too but I still tool him with me to the dentist. Initially, he just watched (and got a sticker at the end!), gradually, he sat in the chair and now at 4 he will happily let the dentist look at his teeth. He also doesn't mind having his teeth brushed now.

My parents were hopeless at taking us to the dentist and I ended up really anxious about going because I wasn't used to it. When I was at uni I had to go as I was getting wisdom teeth and needed them professionally cleaned so I did get used to it eventually but it would have been easier if I had gone when I was younger!

Thank you for your replies. That was my dilemma, whether she would be scared of me having my teeth checked and cleaned or whether me leaving it would cause more damage to her hatred of having her teeth looked at. I think I'll make sure she has a little check first.

I didn't take my daughter to the dentist until she was 3 (I have a phobia, which I've been working really hard on recently because I know it's not fair on her). The dentist was absolutely brilliant - he didn't even do a proper check the first trip, just showed her the chair and asked if he could count her teeth. He made her feel so relaxed that by visit 3 she hopped into the chair without a fuss, and let him paint the fluoride stuff on her teeth without blinking! She's a complete pest for having her teeth cleaned by me... Hope everything goes well for you.

Do you have a pediatric dentist in your area? That would be my first choice.

I’d take her, but don’t make it about her, just get your teeth done, matter of factly, don’t even worry about sitting her on your lap or in the chair etc

Familiarising her with the place as if it’s like going to the post office or something will make it less scary. If she’s anything like my DCs she’ll behave completely differently for someone else than she would for you, so she’ll probably surprise you when it comes to it.

When my DD was a toddler I used to take her in with me but the dentist we had then said that when they were old enough to climb into the chair by themselves was soon enough to start inspections

My little one isn't a year old and she's already had her teeth checked .. the dentist just had a quick look when I was at my appointment ... I use a rubber brush type thing that slots on my finger with a little bit of toothpaste .. easier than a tooth brush

I would take her, she will have to get used to it someday.

To make toothbrushing less scary I brush my teeth with a manual toothbrush when bathing DD and doing her teeth straight after. I rebrush later on with my electric toothbrush before bed. if you dont use much toothpaste the cup of tea once DD is in bed doesn't taste too minty.

And play the tomliboos teeth brushing song on youtube. DD is now 4 and still asks for it sometimes.