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Original poster

errr.. dentist?

42 replies

Doireallyneedaname · 26/02/2021 19:27

My son has just turned 1 and I’ve just read they are supposed to have been to the dentist by this age. WTF?

Also read I’m supposed to brush his teeth for two minutes.

Has anyone actually managed either of these things!? I’ve been brushing his teeth since they first came through but for less than a minute, and he hasn’t been to the bloody dentist either.

Do people really take babies to the dentist?

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pensivepigeon · 26/02/2021 19:34

Don't worry. Mine had started school before they went! And those were non Covid times! Dentist didn't bat an eyelid. Just ring up and make an appointment.

manyhorror · 26/02/2021 19:34

I took my dd with me when I went for a check up and the dentist just looked in her mouth while she was there.

pensivepigeon · 26/02/2021 19:35

Regarding brushing, make them laugh. It's much easier!Grin

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MsChatterbox · 26/02/2021 19:36

I did take my son by 1. I was excited too though. Don't think I've ever brushed for 2 minutes and he's 3 now... I just do what I can!!

Yellow85 · 26/02/2021 19:36

I took mine along with me for a quick ‘look’ since their teeth came through. Kinda figured I was going anyway and best to get them registered. At that age it’s a quick glance and that’s about it. I brushed teeth twice a day for as long as they’d let me - lucky if I could get to a minute and neither have any problem with their teeth. My oldest is almost 7 and only now do I pop a 2minute timer on and let him go

Aria2015 · 26/02/2021 19:37

My friend is a dentist and she told me to take mine at 4/5 years old. She said when they're younger than that she's lucky if she actually gets them to open their mouths long enough for her to even get a peak. As for brushing two minutes twice a day when they're small, she said that that's the ideal when their baby teeth come through, but it's more important to just make sure they get brushed, especially before bed. Her main bit of advice was to not let my lo eat raisins as a snack, she says they're terrible for teeth!

soughsigh · 26/02/2021 19:39

I live in Scotland, so we get checkups every 6 months. Pre covid, he would have a little appointment before mine and the dentist would basically run her fingers over his gums and tell me how many teeth he had. The idea is that you get them used to the dentist.

I'm not 100% sure it has that much value other than you don't get a proper dentist's apoointment yourself because you're worried about your infant starting to wail.

I consider a good tooth brush to be every tooth having a brush. It doesn't take 2 minutes, mine enjoys having his teeth brushed but that is a LONG time for a wee one.

MrTumbleTumble · 26/02/2021 19:39

We've got a flashing toothbrush for 3yo DC and raspberry flavoured toothpaste. It's much easier if they're enjoying it!

Ginandshinythings · 26/02/2021 19:49

Don't worry op my sons 2.5 years and thanks to covid I still can't register him. I've spoken to the dentists twice and they've reassured me that unless I feel he needs an emergency appointment, tooth rot or anything like that, these appointments are just to get them use to the surroundings and sitting in the chair.

I brush teeth by counting to twenty and seeing how far we get, two mins absolutely not lol!

Original poster
Doireallyneedaname · 26/02/2021 19:54

Thanks everyone - thays settled then!

I won’t be traumatising my lockdown baby with a dentists appointment Grin

One other thing - I’ve seen conflicting info on fluoride. So far we’ve been using Jack n Jill fluoride free toothpaste, I’m assuming that’s fine?

OP posts:
Pinkflipflop85 · 26/02/2021 19:56

I thought kids toothpaste needed to have at least 1000ppm fluoride to prevent tooth decay.

FlyNow · 26/02/2021 20:01

I agree with you OP. I don't see any way a visit with a one year would "get them used to it" as they would have totally forgotten by next year.

Mrsmorton · 26/02/2021 20:03

OP, your language makes me think your child will grow up to dislike the dentist. There's nothing traumatic about a child having a check up unless their parents have planted the seeds. Try not to pass on any negativity you might have towards the profession.

dementedpixie · 26/02/2021 20:05

@Doireallyneedaname

Thanks everyone - thays settled then!

I won’t be traumatising my lockdown baby with a dentists appointment Grin

One other thing - I’ve seen conflicting info on fluoride. So far we’ve been using Jack n Jill fluoride free toothpaste, I’m assuming that’s fine?

No, you should use a smear of toothpaste with minimum 1000ppm fluoride
dementedpixie · 26/02/2021 20:06

I'm in Scotland and we're encourage to take them from their first tooth and to take them every time you go for your own check ups

Original poster
Doireallyneedaname · 26/02/2021 20:08

@Mrsmorton Really?

He has just turned 1, he was born 2 weeks before the start of lockdown so his social interaction with others is extremely limited. It’s not hard to see that having a complete stranger try to look in his mouth would be upsetting for a baby.

OP posts:
Mrsmorton · 26/02/2021 20:09

No. I'm making it up.

dementedpixie · 26/02/2021 20:10

It's to get the used to the sights and sounds of the dentist so it's not so traumatic when they actually get dental treatment.

Original poster
Doireallyneedaname · 26/02/2021 20:12

@Mrsmorton I think you must be. 👍

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 26/02/2021 20:14

She isn't making it up
I think she is a dentist or was one

ByGrabtharsHammerWhatASavings · 26/02/2021 20:18

Mine have both been every 6 months since they were about 6 months, they're 4 and 2 now. It's never ever been upsetting for them, as babies they sat on my lap and the dentist just did a quick feel of their guns with her finger and that was pretty much it. She told me that it's mostly about getting them used to the dentist at that age. Brushing for 2 minutes is a noble goal but we rarely achieve it. I sometimes put on a 2 minute YouTube video or sing songs to pass the time. Mostly I just aim for getting every tooth brushed for as long as I can. And yes yes yes to using fluoride. My friend was dead set against it, refused to use it no matter what her dentist said, and her poor little boy had to have a load of his teeth removed before he was even 3. To this day she insists it was just genetics and the toothpaste had nothing to do with it.

BackforGood · 26/02/2021 20:21

What MrsMorton said.

and

What Dementedpixie said (both about toothpaste and also about getting them used to it).

You just take them when you go and they experience different smalls, sights, sounds, as they get a bit bigger they get used to sitting in the chair etc.

Original poster
Doireallyneedaname · 26/02/2021 20:22

@ByGrabtharsHammerWhatASavings It was the dentist that said no fluoride! Very confusing.

I’m definitely going to get some though, seems it’s the right thing to use.

OP posts:
StillUpholding · 26/02/2021 20:22

I took my DD before she was 1 and she’s been regularly since (except last year obviously). It’s a quick look in the mouth to check for any issues, and to get them used to going. DD loves the chair and getting her sticker, nothing traumatic about it at all. I wouldn’t worry that your DC hasn’t been yet, but also don’t worry about taking them when the time comes.

DIshedUp · 26/02/2021 20:35

Your supposed to take them from their first tooth. Most parents just bring them to their usual 6 month check up and then take a little look at the end.

Its not in anyway traumatic. Yes they may cry but they are a baby, babys cry a lot and they arent going to be scarred for life. Do you think babies are scarred by GP visits? What about vaccinations? What makes you think a baby is going to be traumatised by sitting on their parents lap with a finger in their mouth?

If you present it as you do, something that is traumatic rather than natural then your leading them towards a dental phobia.