What age for first dentist appointment?

[ALMummy]

What age did you take your kids for their first dental appointment. Have DS who is 5 and he has never been - he has ASD and will not even open his mouth for me hardly so I have spent the last two months talking about dentists and getting him to gradually let me look. Making appointment next week. Also have 20 month old and thinking about taking her too to get things started earlier.

I've been told age three, and to take them with you first when you go for a check up.

There are also children's books about going to the dentist.

I would take your 20 month old with you, even if it's just to get her familiar with the experience.

Or dentist suggested taking them with us for our appointments from really early on, even before first teeth, to get them used to going there. As they have got older they have sat on my knee and have either let the dentist look, or not...one occasion he got bitten . Now the two eldest 6 and 4 sit in the chair on their own and quit happily let the dentist look around.
Even our youngest, who had to have two teeth removed under GA thanks to an accident, is still happy to go and has stopped biting him!
Can you have a word with your dentist? See if it's possible to just take him to let him look around. Our dentist is great, very approachable.

DD has been coming with us since a baby to get her used to seeing dentist.

Dentist got bitten by our DD as well Mankyscotslass

My dd first went at about 3,ds started at 1, the dentist doesn't do a lot, just takes a quick look and gives them a sticker. Neither is nervous though, so hopefully this will help in future (am very nervous myself since horrible experience a few years ago and didn't want to pass this on!)

There are various childrens books available about visiting the dentist, perhaps this would help get your son used to the idea?

Also maybe just taking your son along and seeing you have a check-up would help? I find selling the moving chair as some sort of special "ride" has helped!

Some dentists are much better with children then others so it might be worth asking around in your area. In fact I think the dental association has a website where you can search for dentists that specialise in children in your area.

My DD has just been for the first time. She is 15 months old and has 4 teeth. She wouldnt open her mouth for the dentist to look in but he says as long as she comes along that is fine.

My DS, 4, started going when he would have been about 12 months and is fine going to the dentist now.

I was lucky as my dentist was not taking on any more patients but as we were registered he registered my DD so you could maybe see about registering them even if the dentist does not get a chance to see in their mouths.

just took our 23 month old he did lay down after seeing his sister do it but wouldnt open wide,i think sooner rather than later

Mine went with me from being babies, the dentist would look in their mouths while they sat on my lap.

well we have only recently managed to get ours in to a dentist so ds1 was 4 and ds2 2, will register ds3 with them when i go later today although, at 13 weeks, he has no teeth yet

Same as some of you, ds started going at 6 mths and sat on my lap with the dentist's finger in his mouth. He's never had any qualms about his appointments as they are something he's grown up with. Earlier the better, IMO.

Have just been for the first time with ds 4.4 and dd 2.9. Dentist said he usually suggests from around 3 (I guess that that is because they usually have all their baby teeth by then) They were both nervous briefly but fine after a bit as I just praised them a lot (and bought them a treat afterwards). They don't have to go again for a year.

Ds had his first one at 6 months, more so the dentist lady could have a cuddle of him. He's 13 months now..... but has 15 teeth

ds been going since 6 months, am shocked that yours age 5 and 20 months have not been

mosschops, with respect, ALMummy has said that there are additional issues/obstacles in her son's case. Perhaps other things have taken greater priority - visiting dentist for years before they are actually going to do anything is hardly the most important thing in the world even if it is desirable, am not sure your is particularly helpful!

Anyhow, I'm sure she's got the message loud and clear that the general feeling is to take 20mth old too (she did say she was taking ds anyway).

from 6 months if possible - my dh is special needs dentist with community dental service, you could get a referral. he can spend as long as it takes getting to know child etc and building up to check/treatment.

I booked us for the dentist (because dh needed to go) so we all went.

Dh
Me
DD1 4yrs
dd2 6mths (no teeth)

I think the sooner they get used to the dentist then the less likely to be affraid of them IYSWIM.

I took my DS when he was 3 and it was fine.

We have a family appointment so all $ of us go in together and DC have been going since they were born.

They love books and games about the dentist ( always checking each others teeth a la Peppa pig)

I have always recommended from 2 onwards, eaarlier than that they don't remember so not useful in helping them become used to visits. By 3 they could already have developed problems. Of course if parents had any concerns earlier than 2 I woul see the child.

I took ds when he was around 3, DD1 and DD2 had first appointments last month[had to take DD1 as she fell and has killed a tooth] so booked dd2 in for same time while I was there and they were 17mths and 2.6yrs

oh and dd2 bit the dentist