https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:15:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-dentist-visit#post-2775970 Wed, 27 Sep 2017 13:40:49 +0000 SweetiePie 2775970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our first appt was 2years as well. That’s what my ped recommended.<br /> First appt they counted his teeth and brushed them. That was pretty much it. It was mostly getting him comfortable in the office and getting to know the doc. And info for me (dental care, education, etc).<br /> All in all was pretty short, I’d say maybe 20 mins? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-dentist-visit#post-2775968 Wed, 27 Sep 2017 13:37:09 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2775968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Littlebit7: I hear you...and I've had to do the same, but I wouldn't expect them to restrain them or make me sign a waiver...that seems excessive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-dentist-visit#post-2775569 Tue, 26 Sep 2017 09:33:05 +0000 snowjewelz 2775569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think our first visit was around 18 mo and it was fine. She generally doesn't like being touched by other people so it wasn't the best. Her 2nd visit around 2 was worse since they gave her a teeth cleaning and she was not happy! That reminds me to make her another appt! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-dentist-visit#post-2775561 Tue, 26 Sep 2017 09:17:51 +0000 Anagram 2775561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@raspberries: My kids both got a cleaning at their first visit, which is when they were about 15 months. My oldest daughter had some staining on her front teeth from iron drops, so I asked for a cleaning. For my second kid, I fully expected them to say a cleaning wasn't necessary, but they actually said she had a lot of plaque buildup already, so I had them do a cleaning and a fluoride treatment.</p> <p>My husband has very soft teeth, and I worry my girls have inherited that. He's had a lot of cavities, so I want to do as much preventative stuff as possible. Our dentist is a pediatric dentist and really gentle and makes it "fun", and that always worked for my oldest (she's obsessed with the dentist, which is a good thing, because she had a big fall and damaged 4 teeth and has had multiple dentist appointments related to that). However, none of the tricks work on my 2nd, and I had to hold her on top of me in the dentist chair (I was reclined) and I had to hold her arms folded while they did the cleaning.</p> <p>It was like....60 seconds of crying. But it was worth it to me to (hopefully) prevent some cavities from forming. They also showed me the spots where her teeth already touch and showed me where I already need to be flossing.</p> <p>Also, she isn't added to our insurance yet. To add her, we have to pay $30/month. A cleaning/exam costs $150. so right now, it's cheaper to just pay out of pocket for 2 cleanings a year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-dentist-visit#post-2775414 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 15:50:45 +0000 Littlebit7 2775414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2PeasinaPod: well I've technically had to "restrain" my 2.5 year old at all of her dental<br /> visits or else they would have accomplished nothing. By that I mean me in the chair, and holding her. Or her sitting on my lap facing out and holding her arms/head. She won't have anything to do with the dentist. I mean, I have to "restrain" her at the doctor sometimes but what other option is there? She's not going to willingly hold out her arm for a blood draw or open her mouth for a stranger to stick an instrument in. And yes we've done books, Daniel tiger, etc etc and the dentists office is legit prepared for toddlers...but nope..she just won't. But skipping the dentist just isn't an option imo..at any age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-dentist-visit#post-2775412 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 15:40:18 +0000 mdf106 2775412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They did a cleaning, but we did not go until three. This is what was recommended by both our pediatrician and dentist. I intentionally waited to add him to the dental insurance until then. It went fine, but he has never had trouble at the doctor. We used our regular dentist. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-dentist-visit#post-2775363 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 13:34:14 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2775363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took ds around 2 because one tooth looked grey. He damaged it but they said it was fine. I took him for a cleaning when he turned three. He got super nervous so they didn't want to scare him. So she counted his teeth, gave him stickers and said to come back in the fall (aka now). I've got to get that booked. He says he will cooperate, fingers crossed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-dentist-visit#post-2775343 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 12:30:25 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2775343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: Holy cow...restrain their kids? Why traumatize them?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-dentist-visit#post-2775342 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 12:29:16 +0000 KT326 2775342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started at 15 months and basically it was just looking in his mouth and counting teeth until he was 3. He wouldn't let them do anything else. The first few appointments we didn't even get to the chair, it was in the dentist's office. At 3 he went to the chair but no cleaning. At 3.5 he had his first cleaning and it went really well! He is 5 now and I think they might try x-rays at his next appointment but since none of his teeth touch the dentist isn't pushing it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-dentist-visit#post-2775336 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 12:17:05 +0000 RonjaL7 2775336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter is 2.5 and has been to the dentist twice. Both times she has refused to open her mouth. So they basically did whatever they could to get her to laugh and got a quick glance at her teeth. They told us this time maybe we wait another year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-dentist-visit#post-2775328 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 12:02:38 +0000 PawPrints 2775328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It can vary a lot based on the practice, so I would call and ask specifically what to expect. Our first dental exam was at 14 months and they called it a "chair ride," and emphasized they would only do as much as DD was willing to let them do, up to and including a cleaning (which they did). By contrast, people in my local parenting groups apparently have had to sign a release form permitting the dentist to restrain their kids in order to complete whatever they were going to do, so I would definitely just ask.</p> <p>We did a second dental visit when DD was about 26 months and it was another great experience, they did a cleaning again and she was fine with it.</p> <p>We prepped DD a lot by explaining to her what was going to happen both in advance and while we were there, so she wasn't too surprised, and I think that helped a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-dentist-visit#post-2775324 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 11:48:09 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2775324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our oldest didn't have his first dental appointment until he was 3. It's what our dentist kept telling us was the age you take your kid to the dentist. We got there, and got scolded by the pediatric dentist that it was supposed to be at age 1. Oops! </p> <p>It was pretty easy since he was older. They counted his teeth and brushed them. We took our younger son around 18 months, and he did ok...wasn't as willing to open his mouth and cried quite a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-dentist-visit#post-2775312 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 11:13:32 +0000 LBee 2775312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>His first dentist appointment was a 2 years old. Same experience as @Adira. It was mainly to familiarize him. He did has some build-up on the bottom of his teeth (we pointed it out as my husband had noticed it) and he scraped it off for us. All in all it was no big deal. </p> <p>My son has visited the dentist twice without dental insurance FYI. Our medical insurance covers the trip with a $25 copay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-dentist-visit#post-2775305 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 10:47:31 +0000 Adira 2775305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours basically just counted his teeth and then brushed them! It was pretty quick and very easy. They don't do a real cleaning or anything more invasive until they are older (at least at ours). They also just talked to us about good dental habits. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-dentist-visit#post-2775297 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 10:34:39 +0000 raspberries 2775297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What did they do at your child's first dentist visit, and how did it go? Due to lack of foresight (ah-hem, by my husband), our son wasn't added to our dental insurance until he was 2. He's 2 years and 2 months now, and we've just made his first dentist appointment... wondering what to expect? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-los-first-visit-to-the-dentist#post-1877200 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 13:00:29 +0000 BananaPancakes 1877200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 2.5 year old went for the 2nd time this week and it went surprisingly well. At his first appt, he was just under 2 years, and the Dr. simply laid him back and counted teeth, scraped a little plaque, and checked for cavities. My kid cried the whole time. </p> <p>But this time we watched episodes of Daniel Tiger and Peppa Pig where they go to the dentist over and over, and I think that really helped prepare him. They did a full cleaning, flouride, and x-rays with no fussing or fighting. He took a couple breaks during everything, just because it's hard for a 2 year old to sit for 15 minutes.</p> <p>It also probably didn't hurt that we go to a pediatric dentist, and they keep a train table in between cleaning stations. So anytime he wanted a break, they'd give him a few minutes to get down and play. He also got to hold a few trains while they were cleaning and while the dentist was checking things out, so that just thrilled him. </p> <p>I was terrified of the dentist as a child, so I'm hoping my son will have less fear than I did about dentists and doctors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-los-first-visit-to-the-dentist#post-1877069 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:17:41 +0000 loveisstrange 1877069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Age 2, DH took her so I only know second hand. He said she was fantastic during the cleaning. We went to a pediatric dentist, so the office was super kid friendly. They let her hold the cup with the cleaning paste in it and they had to stop every tooth because she was laughing that it tickled. But she did really well overall.</p> <p>He did say that they didnt get x-rays because she refused to keep the little cardboard thing in her mouth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-los-first-visit-to-the-dentist#post-1877043 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:13:37 +0000 mauxie 1877043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO's first appt was at about 16 months, I think. The dentist did a pink stain thing on her teeth to see the trouble spots, swab for cavity causing bacteria, fluoride treatment, floss/clean/polish-- basically, the works! LO laid on my husband (I was very pregnant) but she pretty much screamed the entire time and was held down by a few assistants. I guess this is the normal procedure for those that don't cooperate bc a few of my friends' kids go there too and it's the same thing. The dentist is highly recommended but isn't a cutesy type. I know some dentists are more relaxed about teeth at that age and more into just establishing a brushing/flossing routine, but not this guy. </p> <p>We dreaded taking her in for her 2nd visit at 22 months (I even looked into other dentists more toddler friendly) but she did incredibly well!! Same thorough dental routine but she followed the dentist's instructions to open wide, etc, and no tears. We prepared the week in advance by showing her some clips on youtube and just talking about it. She got a sticker/prize at the end. It's been a couple months and she happily pretends she is going to the dentist now! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-los-first-visit-to-the-dentist#post-1876937 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 11:42:44 +0000 looch 1876937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He does really well at the doctor's office, he was asking me why we were at this office, and not his ped's office, so I think that might have thrown him off as well.</p> <p>Then I tried to sit in the chair with him and it was kicking and burying his head in my neck, refusing to budge. And I am wearing a wrap dress today, I was flashing the entire office. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-los-first-visit-to-the-dentist#post-1876934 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 11:41:14 +0000 SAHM0811 1876934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first DD, at around 2.5 yo, started crying when they called her name to go into the room... She didn't feel ok about going to the dentist til about 4-5 yo! During that time, we went through 3 ped dentists, not only because of her reaction to the visits, but because of moving and schedules too. </p> <p>We finally found an awesome dentist who is truly patient and engaging with kids. My 2nd DD went to her first at 15 months and did well (they just looked at her teeth). At almost 2.5 yo, she had her first cleaning and did pretty ok. At just turned 3yo, she had her 2nd cleaning and did really great!</p> <p>Hope your LO's next visit goes better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-los-first-visit-to-the-dentist#post-1876928 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 11:39:35 +0000 Mamaof2 1876928@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: how does he do at the Drs? My DS doesn't do well there either so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-los-first-visit-to-the-dentist#post-1876927 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 11:38:14 +0000 ValentineMommy 1876927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went when DS was 18 months (2 months ago-ish). He did fine. He had more trouble waiting for the doctor to come in the room than anything else. Once the doc was there, the checkup was fine. DS sat in my lap, in the chair. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-los-first-visit-to-the-dentist#post-1876924 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 11:36:55 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1876924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: would they let him sit in your lap? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-los-first-visit-to-the-dentist#post-1876919 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 11:35:06 +0000 looch 1876919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, my son is older, he'll be 4 in December and I totally flaked on his dental appointment after he turned two. For some reason, we hadn't added him to our insurance, so he wasn't covered for dental. </p> <p>In any event, we brush and I even have a dental mirror that I have been letting him hold in his mouth while I "check" his teeth with a little probe, just like they do at the dentist. I had been talking with him about going, but I hadn't thought to show him a video.</p> <p>The problem seemed to be the chair, he did not want anything to do with it. After about 20 minutes of coaxing, I was able to convince him to let the hygenist look in his mouth with the mirror to check his teeth. No cavities, but he wanted nothing to do with her after that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-los-first-visit-to-the-dentist#post-1876918 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 11:34:45 +0000 mediagirl 1876918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We haven't been because I don't want to pay $200 for my 2 year old to sit in a chair for 5 minutes, screaming her head off at the stranger trying to get into her mouth. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-los-first-visit-to-the-dentist#post-1876917 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 11:34:42 +0000 Applesandbananas 1876917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went at 14m I think. LO didn't really care. They looked in his mouth and did a fluoride treatment. He had a toy and just sat there on my lap. I had asked for brushing technique advice and they demonstrated a headlock, which LO took offense to (as did I) and that was it. The actual appt was less than 5min. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-los-first-visit-to-the-dentist#post-1876914 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 11:34:31 +0000 yoursilverlining 1876914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO just had her first one a month or so ago, at about 26 months. She did much better than I expected. We went to a pediatric dentist, and since they only deal with kids day in and day out they were *amazing* with her. </p> <p>They counted her teeth and “painted” them with fluoride (or something? I can’t remember). They also let her pick out a new toothbrush and asked her to show them how she brushes her teeth. She sat on my lap the entire time (I sat in the exam chair, LO sat on me). </p> <p>One thing they did which I thought was smart was to do everything to me first. So first they asked if they could count my teeth and made a big deal about how fun it was and then asked if she wanted her teeth counted too. Well, of course then LO did! Same with the fluoride/whatever treatment. They said that they had already painted my teeth and I smiled real big so LO could look at my teeth and then she was fine with having her teeth “painted” too.</p> <p>It’s been more than a month now and several times a week LO still asks to go back to the “doctor” to get her teeth counted again!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-los-first-visit-to-the-dentist#post-1876913 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 11:34:22 +0000 RsMom 1876913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS had is first visit when he cracked one of his teeth right before his 2nd birthday. He hated it and refused to open his mouth. He's had one since and it went a bit better. He won't sit on the chair by himself and cries for most of it. I'm hoping it gets better as he gets older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-los-first-visit-to-the-dentist#post-1876907 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 11:31:08 +0000 mrsjazz 1876907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't take LO, DH did but it went great. LO just went this summer and she's almost 2.5. The dentist had DH sit in the chair and then LO sit in his lap. They talked about what they were going to do, looked at her teeth, gave her a cleaning and some flouride. No cavities!</p> <p>One thing we did to prepare was we talked about the dentist for at least a week in advance, like it was going to be something fun and exciting. We showed her a couple of kid videos about the dentist we found online, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-los-first-visit-to-the-dentist#post-1876903 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 11:30:26 +0000 KT326 1876903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS has had two visits, 15 months and 2 yrs. The first visit we sat in an office and the dentist counted his teeth while DS laid in my lap. The second visit he got to sit in the chair for a little bit. But they were taking too long and he started to lose it so we ended up in the office again with just a quick check. Our dentist doesn't attempt a cleaning until they are 3, unless he sees something during his quick check. </p> <p>Hopefully your next visit is better! </p>