When should I take my toddler to the dentist?

[GothicRainbow]

My DS is 20 months and we have been having teeth cleaning battles for months (feels like decades!!). We use a toothbrush on him as best we can and then follow up with a Brush baby rubber toothbrush that he likes to chew.

He is a refluxer and his saliva always does smell a bit acidic so I am starting to get a bit concerned about the health of his teeth.

I have spoken to some friends about taking him to the dentist for a check up and they all seemed to think he was too young and I should wait until he is closer to 2.5/3.

Has anyone taken a young toddler to the dentist? Or should I be waiting until he is slightly older?

Took dd from about 18 months just to lie in the chair and get used to going.

Ds1 went at just over two and the dentist told us to make the next appt for ds2 too, he will be 13m

Soon as they get teeth you can take them, in fact our dentist says if nothing else it gets them used to the place and someone looking in their month. Dd was about 20months for her first visit.

Yes, as soon as they have teeth - but it's mainly to get them used to it as people have said. Mine are 5 and 3 and had a check at the weekend - it was still purely visual; counting milk teeth and highlighting any teeth with staining or that looked in need of more attention. They tend to check you are not using too much toothpaste more than the other way! Too much fluoride, ironically, can mess teeth up. My dentist said it should be the merest swipe.

Ok great that's really good to know. Think I might call and get him an appointment in the next couple of weeks then. Would just be good to make sure that what we are currently doing is working!

as advised by health visitors in took ds to the dentist at 9 months old. He only had 6 teeth but it was about him getting used to the smells and the dentist experience which lots of kids (and adults!) hate. They then advise going once a year. I think it's a great idea.

I asked a nd was told to just take ds along to my checkups and he watched me and then the dentist had a little look while he was there (from 6 feet away at first!). That was from about 10 months, he didn't start getting his own appointments until he was around 2.

Took dd with me when she was about 2, wanted her to get used to the environment and see if she woukd let the dentist check her teeth. She was fine getting in the chair but as soon as the dentist zoned in all hell broke lose! She has just turned 3 and we have been prepping her about the next dentists visit for about the last 6 months (books, talking about it and a convenient episode of topsy and tim). She seems to be quite excited but I have a sneaky suspicion the same thing as last time will happen. I really want her teeth to be checked though!

I took DS at 9 months on recommendation of health visitor to get him used to it. He's got his 6 month check up next month for his grand total of 6 teeth so far!

My ds2 had his gums felt by the dentist when I had my check up last time, and now he has his own appointment (tagged onto the end of mine). He is 9 months and has 5 teeth :).

I was told by the hv to take them as soon as they have teeth. DS is booked in for next month - he's 6 mo and has 2 teeth

To be fair I'm only taking him as I'm going myself and they said it's worth bringing him along to get used to it.

I took DS at 15 months or do and then every six months after that for a check up

Our twins first visit was at 12 months. I take them every 6 months (they have been three time so far).