Care of first teeth and registering my baby with my dentist - how does it work?

[CherryChoc]

DS 7mo has just over the last few weeks produced 2 teeth. I have been brushing them with water only - there is flouride in the water here and have a vague idea toothpaste is bad when v young, does anybody know the score?

Secondly, I am registered with an NHS dentist, can I just ring them up and register him as well? Or do I have to wait until they are taking on new NHS patients? Does he even need proper checkups at this stage or can I just let the dentist have a look when she sees me, to get him used to it?

I reg my boys when they were both about 18 mnths old.

You can get special baby toothpaste - colgate and usual makes, or there are some fruit flavoured ones if DS dislikes minty taste.

Unless there are particular concerns, dentist won't usually look at DS teeth until about 2.5 and even then it's really just to check all as expected and mostly to get them used to the chair and the whole process so they aren't terrified and clamp their mouths shut when things actually have to be done later on

So - don't think you need to worry yet... at thought of a 7mo in the dentist chair, refusing to open mouth tho!

i was advised to use toothpaste by my dentist ordinary adult paste not childrens stuff. our water isn't florinated though.
i just registered her when i was going for a check up myself. she was about 10 months or so. our dentist take on family members of registered patients but not new ones iyswim.
all he ever does is count her teeth and give her a sticker. she's 2.6 now, he will start doing stuff when she's about 3 or so, like showing her toothbrushing techniques and things like that.

My dentists surgery told me they wouldn't register ds till 3. He got his first tooth at 4 months but is so wary of dentist that won't let him look and screams if I even mention it. I'd do it as early as possible even it it is only to get him used to it.

I registered my lo's as soon as they got teeth (around 6 months old) and they have gone along to every appointment I have had since and the dentist has a quick look in their mouth each time. DD is 5 and ds is 2.6years. I used kids toothpaste but I think the one we have is 1000ppm (some kids ones have 500ppm)