When did you take baby to the dentist for the first time?

[trrk]

Just wondering when people typically take their baby to the dentist for the first time? It’s pretty much impossible to find a dentist taking NHS patients (even for children) around here so it will be private when we do go.

I took him when his second tooth came but that’s because there was a problem with it that they needed to check.

As toddlers, maybe 2.5. They just had a turn at sitting in the chair at one of my appointments, the dentist barely looked at their teeth, it was just to get them used to it. That probably continued til they were about age 4/5 when they had proper appointments. They didn’t have any issues with their teeth and brushed well.

6 months old. They came with me when I had a check up and the dentist got her used to sitting on my lap in the chair, looking in her mouth etc...... it obviously wasn't a proper check up, but more to get used to the sights and sounds of the Dentist. She is now 6 and no issues or fears at the dentist at all.

I've read it should be as soon as they get their first tooth to get them used to it, but I don't see how such a young child would have any memory of visits six months apart before they're about 3?

ive been wondering this. DS is 16months and not been yet but his teeth seem v slow to arrive, so far he has 7! GP says it’s fine and not to worry but MIL has other thoughts.. if no more arrive by 18m i might take him to dentist and see what they think!

Like @OhhhhhhhhBiscuits DD was 6mo.

She teethed fairly early, so had a bunch of teeth by then, but really it was about getting her signed-up to a good dentist, and kicking off the 6-monthly check-up routine.

Mine sat on my lap whenever I went to the dentist and had a "pretend" check up where the dentist just looked in their mouth. So possibly 4-6 months old for their first "visit" That naturally developed into their own check-up when they started getting teeth.

About 7 months with DC1 who had about 8 teeth by then, and then probably about 10mo with DC2 - COVID got in the way and he didn't have any teeth till nearly 1. He doesn't like any medical professionals so it's always an experience.

I book a triple appointment and we go together.

Six months with a mouthful of teeth already. Then a house move and Covid put paid to that! We finally got her registered somewhere at age 3 and she’s had regular checkups since then, no fear – her nursery were really good at doing healthy teeth chat and preparing them.

You need to take them when their first tooth appears or by the age of 1 at the very latest.

https://dentalcheckbyone.co.uk/

Your MIL is right.

https://dentalcheckbyone.co.uk/

Yeas ago, was advised by HV to go at one. Dentist was a bit stumped, tbh 😁

Thanks all. I would like to take her before one but £35 seems a lot if all they will do is just a quick look in their mouth. I will see if my dentist will check her over when I go for mine. I have to admit I don't go every 6 months as I just can't afford it. Would be nice if free NHS dentisty for children at least was actually available! Of course I will take her srtaight away if there is any problem.

My aunt is a researcher specialising in childhood tooth decay. She advised going from six months, more to get them used to the environment.

But also because dentists look at more than just teeth, they look at the whole mouth.

DS is autistic and doesn't handle many situations but he's always been fine and co-operative at the dentist because he's been going since he was tiny.

The problem for many parents is the lack of NHS dentists. Many toddlers are missing out on a really important part of their health care …bloody shocking!

My 5yr first visited the dentist at 1.5yrs but didn't really want to open her mouth. My 3yr old didn't visit dentist until he was two months shy of 3 (due to COVID and then having to find a new dentist when mine shut). I asked my dentist when j should register my 1 yr old and he said when she's closer to 2 he will be happy to see her

I’m still trying to get my children registered with a dentist 😭

Also depends on the dentist.. the first dentist I phoned that was taking on NHS kids said they wouldn't even register her until she was 2.5yrs.

I got lucky and found my own NHS dentist not long after and they've been just getting me to being her along to my appointments and sit her on my lap so she gets to know dentist, etc. (She's was a 14 months old then but had all her teeth bar 2nd molars through at that point)

We went at 6mo too. Ds had a couple of teeth and we went back at 10mo to check a chip on his front tooth (cry!!)
Haven't been back since; he's 19mo now. Will go when he's 2.

I did what my parents did with me, and brought them along to my appointments (TBH, didn't have much choice) so they were used to the environment. This grew into the dentist 'just having a look' while they stood there probably at around 1, then doing the same on my lap, then finally 'counting their teeth' while they sat in the chair themselves.

I don't remember paying anything for them until they were actually sitting in the chair, and I've had a mix of private and NHS dentists over the years.

Seems to have worked - they happily go in now (probably helps they've not needed any work, and any work I've needed hasn't been too bad)

Well I've missed that so definitely screwed up my DS for life...

Or, you could just right your wrongs now and make sure you’re more up to date on your child’s healthcare needs in the future.

Absolutely. It's terrible. I was lucky to be with an NHS dentist for years so my two were able to be registered with me but there's no NHS dentists taking on patients anywhere in our borough now.

When DD was a baby I took her at 1 year old, as that's when first dentist appointments were in my country. When DS was little they changed that to 2 years old so I took him then and now they've changed it back to 1 year old so I assume they decided 1 year old was a better age than waiting until 2

Sanctimonious much? I’m well aware of my child’s healthcare needs but thanks for making me feel like a crap parent.