First dentist appointment

[Indecisive29]

Any tips and tricks? Almost 15months. We moved to a new village while I was pregnant so it’s a brand new dentist for both of us.

Both having a check up at the same time. Booked in July and this was the first appointment they could give us.

Struggling to see how I’m going to manage to keep him under control while I’m getting seen 😳 original plan had been - get him seen, take him outside and hand over to DH then I go back in for my appt. but DH works abroad and is currently away. When I found out last month it was going to clash with his work I called the dentist and tried to reschedule but the next appointment is in June 😳

Also a bit unsure about DSs check up - he’s absolutely NOT one for opening his mouth on demand 😬

He may not open his mouth but will get to get to know the sights and sounds of the dentist. Can he not be strapped in the buggy while you are seen?

@dementedpixie

He may not open his mouth but will get to get to know the sights and sounds of the dentist. Can he not be strapped in the buggy while you are seen?

@dementedpixie Thats true! I never thought of it like that 😊 thanks. I actually don’t even know if there’s room for his buggy in there. It’s a tiny village dentist. From what I can see from outside the waiting room is literally 2 chairs next to the reception desk then there’s a corridor next to the desk that I’m assuming leads to the treatment rooms 🙈 I’ve got a compact travel pram that folds up so I could take that and then at least I can fold it up if there’s no space for it.

I think for my DC's first appointment the main thing was to get them used to it, and the dentist only did what they were comfortable with. So they got to sit in the big chair, move up and down in it and then he asked if he could count their teeth.

We went the other week with 15mo DS - he just looked in DS' mouth as much as he could, and gave advice about toothbrushing and sugar intake. DS sat on my lap while I got mine checked and had a good look round.

@eleanorwish @Sausagesausagesausage Thanks 😊 I’m hoping he’ll be fine but he’s just at a stage where I never know how he’ll react 🤣 he had a very early rise this morning so it’s a 2 nap day and I’ve just had to wake him from his morning one to get us to the appointment in time so there’s no telling how this might go 🤣

Buggy is a good idea and when I went the dental assistant was happy to make faces and entertain the baby.

I was able to hold my child and encourage them to open their mouth. To keep them calm the dentist asked that I put the metal mirror instrument in their mouth while the dentist looked inside. The dentist didn't get too close and was still able to pass comment. It was also very quick. I believe there were stickers involved which helped!

Our dentist has me sit in the chair with them on my lap. If I needed a check too I'd take pram and strap them in. It's just a quick look initially so try to make it fun with lots of praise and a sticker reward. Our kids have always been really good at the dentist and had 1st visits by 1 year old, registered them soon after birth (NHS dentist).

@AppleTangerine @Boohoowhoareyou Thanks guys - the dentist and dental assistant we had definitely weren’t “baby people” 😅 DS screamed the place down 😬🙈 but hopefully next time will be a bit better. Dentist really happy with his teeth but kept commenting that he was “very old to have no molars yet”. I asked if it was something to be concerned about or at what stage I should be concerned and he just kept saying “just keep an eye on things” 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Chely Yeah I tried to register DS soon after birth but our dentist wasn’t allowing any new registrations due to covid. Registered him as soon as it was allowed and unfortunately had the huge wait for an appointment!

Ours are really good for just adding them on. I know they're a bit tight for NHS spaces these days and did wonder if we'd have to go on a list but they registered baby when our older ones had a checkup, baby was only 1 month old. Seems we're pretty lucky.

How many teeth does he have?
Some babies don't have any teeth at 12 month or only have a couple so I don't see why he'd have full set at 15 months

15 months is definitely not old to have no molars. Don't worry about that!

Doesn't seem that late tbh

@Chely

Ours are really good for just adding them on. I know they're a bit tight for NHS spaces these days and did wonder if we'd have to go on a list but they registered baby when our older ones had a checkup, baby was only 1 month old. Seems we're pretty lucky.

@Chely definitely lucky! I have a friend in a neighbouring health board area and they’re currently not allowed to register kids until they’re 22months 😳😳

@dementedpixie

Doesn't seem that late tbh

@dementedpixie @Mustardbay I didn’t think it was bad either tbh! He’s got 6 teeth through so far and they’ve come through in perfect pairs although he has been towards the mid to later end of the “age range” for getting each. He’s been having bother with his gums on and off for the last couple of weeks and the gums are puffy and red at the back of his mouth and next to his middle bottom teeth so I’m sure we’re just about to get a few at the same time 🤷🏻‍♀️