errr.. dentist?

[Doireallyneedaname]

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?

@DIshedUp Maybe traumatising was the wrong word. Upsetting, perhaps, is a better one.

Like I mentioned, he’s just turned 1 - he was born 2 weeks before lockdown and so he hasn’t met many people or been socialised. He’s very attached to me and there is no way he’d let a stranger in his mouth. If that was then forced, it could easily becoming traumatic.

I have no intention of making it a traumatic experience myself, it goes without saying I plan to make it as fun as possible for him but if it’s not necessary to take him right now (which it doesn’t appear to be) then I’m not going to.

Always fluoride. Take him with you when you next go? They can copy you sitting in the chair and opening mouth then and get used it it not being a big thing

No dentist would ever force their way into a 1yo's mouth.

Honestly, I'd just take him with you to your next check up. Let him see mum doing something routine and normal. Even if you don't feel comfortable letting the dentist take a look at his mouth, I think the sooner you normalise the environment, the better.

Like I mentioned, he’s just turned 1 - he was born 2 weeks before lockdown and so he hasn’t met many people or been socialised. He’s very attached to me and there is no way he’d let a stranger in his mouth.

But how do you know?
He hasn't had these experiences. More than likely he'd be really interested in new things. No-one is suggesting you leave him there. He sits on your lap and you make all the appropriate noises like when something nice, and exciting is happening.

If that was then forced, it could easily becoming traumatic.

Why would you think anyone is going to "force" it ? What everyone is explaining to you is, going along with you makes it all very normal.

Blimey, we convinced our dc, when they were little, that going to the tip was a real trip out, and an exciting privilege that had to be earned . It is part of your role as a parent - however you feel about something like the dentist yourself - to not pass on your fears or dislike to your dc.

I really feel for anyone who has had a baby in the last 12 months, who obviously hasn't had the 'usual' experience, but, if anything, as we gradually get released from lockdown, it makes it even more important to take them out and about, meeting people and getting used to all the little experiences they have missed out on. You can't afford to start by assuming they aren't going to like anything.

@Doireallyneedaname similar situation here -my baby was born a month before lockdown so turned one a couple of weeks ago.
I clean her teeth but definitely not for two min. I haven't taken her to the dentist and dong feel she needs to see one yet for the 6 teeth she has.
I'm careful not to give her drinks apart from water/milk and not sugary food, so am comfortable she doesn't need to see a dentist yet

But its not going to be a majorly upsetting experience. I cant think of a single child that won't sir on the chair because of an experience they had at 1.

Do you avoid other healthcare in case it upsets him?

A lot of it is just getting them use to the chair, the room, the gloves and masks etc. Its free and even if the dentist doesn't see much there's no harm. No ones going to sit there and wrench their mouth open, they are just going to put them on your lap, give them something to play with, have a feel of their gums and a look in their mouth. And its lovely seeing patients who you first saw at 6 months grow up

I have looked in the mouths of babies that are literally hours old in previous jobs, it is really not in anyway upsetting or traumatic.

Thanks for the replies all.

I’m not going to the dentist any time soon but next time I do I’ll take him with me.

My dentist actually told me (and I verified with a second dentist) that kids should be using full strength adult toothpaste (1450?) from the first tooth. Just a smear when they're under 3 so I've her using the 3-5 stuff with both DDs. (Ages 2 and 4)

www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/taking-care-of-childrens-teeth/
Minimum of 1000ppm so it can be higher

God I couldn't even get an appointment for myself when I had a raging abscess never mind a check up for my sons 8 teeth! He's just about to turn 1.

I sing a wee song while brushing his teeth morning and night and that helps brush for longer

The first time I took my lot to the dentist (would have been around 18 months because they didn't have teeth until over a year old) they just had a go at sitting in the chair with me to get them used to it. Next time they sat by themselves in the chair. 3rd visit actually opened their mouths but dentist only had a quick glance. This meant that although they were visiting the dentist since they were small they didn't really have a check up until they were around 3 but they were used to going so it was drama free. They actually all really love going to the dentist. Also helps to have a dentist who's good with DC.

Oh and I just did my best with brushing their teeth until they were more willing to cooperate. Anyone who can get a toddler to let them brush their teeth for 2 mins is a sorcerer IMO

All our kids went to see the dentist by 1 year. Tooth brushing yes but not really for 2 full minutes unless I let them just chomp on the brush at Bath time.
The dentist doesn't do much when they are very young but it gets them used to going so it's much easier when they are older. I know many kids who hate the dentist because they didn't start going until older. Ours have never minded going.

Not sure about now, mine are grown, but our dentist said there wasn’t much to look at at that age. Did recommend brushing twice a day though, which we did. No fillings at 26 and 18 so guess he was right.

My eldest is 3.5yrs old and hasn’t been to a dentist! He was 18 months before he got his first tooth! We put him on the waiting list at the dentist when he had a few teeth through (around 2yrs!) then COVID happened 🤷🏻‍♀️ We brush his teeth twice a day but probably not for quite 2 minutes each time although not far off I shouldn’t think (he still doesn’t yet have all his teeth through!)

DS is almost 2 and he’s been twice, the first time he was crying in his pushchair and only had a couple of teeth so he mainly just sat there while I got mine checked.

The second time was a few months ago where he did find the whole thing quite fun but the dentist didn’t really get to look into his mouth for any more than a few seconds.

The dentist wasn’t bothered, he said so long as he has them brushed twice a day and doesn’t eat / drink too much sugary shite then it’s fine. Common sense really. I told him that DS mainly chews on the brush and during that we managed to get some proper brushing in and he said that was also fine.

I’ll take him back in the summer.

And DS got a sticker and was delighted!

Agree with the fluoride. In Scotland kids are given toothpaste and toothbrush packs every few months through the child smile scheme and it’s OHP brand @1450ppm.