First dental appt....what age?

My DH even sent kids home without doing ANYTHING on them
when they were acting out. BRBR

Shirlee,

This was the policy in the practice I worked in as well. The whole idea of
pediatric dentistry is to gear things towards making dental visits positive
experiences so kids would not develop the fear that many adults have today due
to their childhood dental visits. Also to encourage healthy habits from the
get go.

I also agree about the fluoride, but the last time this topic was brought up
and I mentioned my opinion I was sent a flood of information about how
detrimental fluoride treatments are. The source was an Internet site that
mentioned absolutely nothing about the ADA. Isn't that odd?
Michelle
Mommy to Riley Claire & James Michael

On 24 Oct 2003 02:04:19 GMT, (Andrea) wrote:

I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the dentist
before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the girls' first dental
check-up and was told that they don't recommend that children come in until
they're around the age of 5. That seems *very* late to me, but I have heard
conflicting info. on this. I've read that children should go to the dr. when
they cut their fist tooth and I've read they should wait until they're 3 1/2.
I think I remember our ped. saying something about the age 3 for the first
dentist visit. I don't feel comfortable waiting until the children are 5 to
take them to the dentist....what if there's something wrong with their teeth
and it goes undetected. What do you all think? Should I make an appt. with a
different dentist? I wanted the girls to go to my dentist because I've always
been very happy with him. Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5 to
take them to the dentist for the first time?

Our Ped. suggested it at their 3 1/2 year visit. We ended up taking
them in for their first appointment last week, shortly after they
turned 4. It went surprisingly well. Xrays were taken, and their
teeth were cleaned. The kids didn't cry at all, and they actually said
it was fun.
--
-Seth Jackson, proud father of Derek and Mariel(10/1/99). Pictures at:
http://hitmeister.home.mindspring.co...lypictures.htm

Music links: www.mp3.com/SethJackson
www.mp3.com/loudspeaker
www.SethJackson.net

On 24 Oct 2003 02:04:19 GMT, (Andrea) wrote:

I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the dentist
before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the girls' first dental
check-up and was told that they don't recommend that children come in until
they're around the age of 5. That seems *very* late to me, but I have heard
conflicting info. on this. I've read that children should go to the dr. when
they cut their fist tooth and I've read they should wait until they're 3 1/2.
I think I remember our ped. saying something about the age 3 for the first
dentist visit. I don't feel comfortable waiting until the children are 5 to
take them to the dentist....what if there's something wrong with their teeth
and it goes undetected. What do you all think? Should I make an appt. with a
different dentist? I wanted the girls to go to my dentist because I've always
been very happy with him. Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5 to
take them to the dentist for the first time?

Our Ped. suggested it at their 3 1/2 year visit. We ended up taking
them in for their first appointment last week, shortly after they
turned 4. It went surprisingly well. Xrays were taken, and their
teeth were cleaned. The kids didn't cry at all, and they actually said
it was fun.
--
-Seth Jackson, proud father of Derek and Mariel(10/1/99). Pictures at:
http://hitmeister.home.mindspring.co...lypictures.htm

Music links: www.mp3.com/SethJackson
www.mp3.com/loudspeaker
www.SethJackson.net

"Andrea" wrote in message
...

Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5 to
take them to the dentist for the first time?

I haven't heard of this, but I wouldn't be surprised either. I've heard the
same conflicting information about when to take them. That being said, I
asked my pediatrician and she said that it wasn't necessary until around age
three, but, I could take them to a pediatric dentist anytime if I had a
concern. It turned out that Lauren had a spot on her front tooth, so we
took them in for a checkup, and it went fine. I don't think it hurts to
start going early.

"Andrea" wrote in message
...

Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5 to
take them to the dentist for the first time?

I haven't heard of this, but I wouldn't be surprised either. I've heard the
same conflicting information about when to take them. That being said, I
asked my pediatrician and she said that it wasn't necessary until around age
three, but, I could take them to a pediatric dentist anytime if I had a
concern. It turned out that Lauren had a spot on her front tooth, so we
took them in for a checkup, and it went fine. I don't think it hurts to
start going early.

"Andrea" wrote in message
...

Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5 to
take them to the dentist for the first time?

I have to say, it never even OCCURRED to me to take them a whole lot earlier
than that. So far not a cavity in the lot (knock wood).

--Helen

"Andrea" wrote in message
...

Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5 to
take them to the dentist for the first time?

I have to say, it never even OCCURRED to me to take them a whole lot earlier
than that. So far not a cavity in the lot (knock wood).

--Helen

Yes, we brush, no we
didn't do fluoride drops but they did get treatments each time they went to
the dentist.

Shirley-

Do they get the fluoride treatments at age 3 or do they start them when they're
older?

Thanks for the info.

Andrea
twin girls-Jordan & Madison
3 1/2 yrs. old

Yes, we brush, no we
didn't do fluoride drops but they did get treatments each time they went to
the dentist.

Shirley-

Do they get the fluoride treatments at age 3 or do they start them when they're
older?

Thanks for the info.

Andrea
twin girls-Jordan & Madison
3 1/2 yrs. old

DH said no, but what they want to do is introduce the kids to the
instruments in their mouth, the whole dental thing and just being there.
But they usually do clean them and give you an overview of their tooth
growth.

Shirley


"Andrea" wrote in message
...
Yes, we brush, no we
didn't do fluoride drops but they did get treatments each time they went
to
the dentist.

Shirley-

Do they get the fluoride treatments at age 3 or do they start them when
they're
older?

Thanks for the info.

Andrea
twin girls-Jordan & Madison
3 1/2 yrs. old