https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 16:25:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2/page/2#post-2614419 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 22:55:38 +0000 Kemma 2614419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kids in New Zealand are entitled to free dental care (up till the age of 18) and the local community service likes to see kids starting at around 15 months and then on an annual basis.</p> <p>From what I gather a huge preportion of parents have no clue about oral hygiene so the very first visit generally focuses on good habits and education with the dentist doing just a quick look in the child's mouth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2/page/2#post-2614250 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 16:43:09 +0000 Mrsbells 2614250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: We took LO before she turned two. I think th earlier they start going its less traumatic for them. Going to dentist that specializes in kids teeth makes it a lot easier too. Her first appointment went well and we have been going every 6 months since then </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2/page/2#post-2614249 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 16:35:59 +0000 MrsLonghorn 2614249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At our 18m checkup, our pediatrician said 'between 18m and 2 years'. I called the pediatric dentist at 21 months, and we can't even get in until he is 2!</p> <p>Of course, when I called the dentist, she said that they like to see kids "when they get their first tooth, or age 1, whichever is sooner". I felt like she was just trying to make me feel bad because I had already told her he was 21 months old. grrr... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2614145 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 13:58:47 +0000 mauxie 2614145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took DD shortly after she turned 1, same with my son. Our ped and the pediatric dentist both recommended they come in once they get teeth (make sure we are brushing properly, get familiar with the dentist, etc). But we waited a bit longer. The first visit was a full-on cleaning, bacteria swab check, fluoride treatment, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2614101 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 13:21:37 +0000 Rocker2014 2614101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My dentist (who also does pediatrics) recommended starting at age 3, so that's what we're going to do. Our dental hygienist suggested that we get LO as Spin Brush a few months before so that she gets used to having something other than a regular toothbrush in her mouth. Since LO is completely fascinated with DH's electric toothbrush, we're going to try it out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2614070 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 12:55:08 +0000 catomd00 2614070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took DD to my dad when we were visiting )he's a dentist) at 18 months and it was a total fail. We will take her to our dentist here around 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2614061 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 12:49:58 +0000 FancyGem 2614061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took him at 1. It was just a check to see if there were any potential problems. He actually likes the dentist. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2613975 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 11:17:03 +0000 Boogs 2613975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our dentist will do a complementary peekaboo visit before two, but they don't really do much for it because it's so hard with the young ones. They do encourage to start around two with regular visits. And of course before that regular brushing and even flossing at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2613028 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 20:05:54 +0000 peaches1038 2613028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was literally JUST searching the boards on this exact topic. DS is almost 10 months and I think I will make an appointment for around a year </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2613027 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 19:58:59 +0000 BSB 2613027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caterw: Yeah, but maybe they (pediatricians) should be made aware and promote ADA's recommendation of seeing a pediatric dentist at a year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2613024 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 19:54:46 +0000 BSB 2613024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@junebugsmama: Yeah, partly why I want my kids to see the dentist early. My dentist and my sister's dentist have both said we have very soft teeth so cavities can form. I'm going to follow ADA's recommendation to hopefully get the kids used to the dentist and start healthy dental practices. I know when I was a kid, I feared the dentist so that contributed to me waiting (too long) to see the dentist. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2613018 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 19:51:47 +0000 caterw 2613018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@junebugsmama: OMG! That's crazy- do cavities in baby teeth affect their permanent teeth?? Did the dentist say when they recommend a first appointment? We have pediatric dental insurance that is pretty good and I would rather just pay the co pay and take my new baby earlier if I can prevent tooth damage.<br /> @bluestriped bee: they probably just make a recommendation since you see them so often in case parents aren't sure where to start with dental care. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2613008 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 19:30:37 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2613008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caterw: not necessarily! My son has 8 cavities and he's 20 months. Genetics play a big part in their teeth. No juice and only night nursing, which isn't supposed to affect teeth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612992 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 18:58:46 +0000 BSB 2612992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe it's just me, but I find it odd that a pediatrician would recommend when to go to the dentist. Wouldn't or shouldn't they defer to a pediatric dentist? The expert in childen's teeth. I mean do you go to the dentist and ask about your leg or vice versa... do you go doctor and ask about your teeth. I can see asking your doctor about jaw pain because it could be a medical reason. But something that concerns your kid's teeth and gums... sounds like the pediatric dentist would be the best source of information. Maybe it is just me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612968 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 18:15:12 +0000 Smurfette 2612968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our pedi said 3 and my dentist agreed with it. We added her to insurance that year and was shocked how great the 1st appointment went. Her 2nd for the year is in a couple weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612967 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 18:13:26 +0000 ShootingStar 2612967@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My dentist said 3 or 4. She said before that is kind of a waste and can just be scary for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612944 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 17:37:03 +0000 caterw 2612944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My pediatrician recommended taking them at 2 so I did and it was insane. The pediatric dentist (who has 3 kids of his own) told me he had never heard a kid shriek like mine.... A friend whose husband is a dentist didn't take her son until he was 3, so I kinda wish I had waited. I think as long as you brush properly and don't let them sip on bottles of juice all day you should be good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612930 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 17:07:17 +0000 BSB 2612930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: Babies only get a formula bottle in their high chair. We haven't had the opportunity to give them anything in their crib. Babies haven't had juice yet. Just water so far in a sippy cup. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612923 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 16:58:47 +0000 Alba4 2612923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My pediatrician recommended 3. I need to make his first appointment. Should be interesting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612908 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 16:42:13 +0000 sunny 2612908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found that the exams at 1 and 2 years old were mostly around checking that teeth were growing in properly and to address dietary habits that lead to cavities (eg. Giving bottles with juice, putting baby to bed with a bottle). I knew some of this already so it wasn't too helpful but I can see it being helpful for someone who hadn't done research. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612904 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 16:35:35 +0000 MrsBrewer 2612904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took my daughter in with me after she turned 1. Just a tooth count, and brushing tips! I plan on bringing her with though to all of my appointments now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612893 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 16:22:47 +0000 PawPrints 2612893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everything I read indicated they should have a dental exam by age 1, so I though we were pushing it by waiting until she had just turned 15 months. It went really well and was super adorable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612889 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 16:19:13 +0000 kes18 2612889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you have insurance you might as well take them, it doesn't hurt. Our office just does "happy visits" and will talk to them and if the child lets them look in their mouth they will (and will clean a bit) but if not then it's NBD and they will just try again 6 mo later. Mine went at 21mo and would not let them look in her mouth, so they didn't do anything. She went at 28 mo and they put on her favorite movie and she let them look and brush them. They used the electric brush and did fluoride but not a full "exam" that adults get other than visually looking and counting teeth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612888 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 16:15:07 +0000 Andrea 2612888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started the kids young, at 1.5 and they've always loved the dentist so maybe starting early helps? We have the insurance so I took them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612879 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 15:59:24 +0000 MamaG 2612879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took our older at 3. Our pediatric dentist wants us to start our younger at 18 months. Our pediatrician is more on more board with after 2. The younger is not as welcoming of new people or things in her mouth so I'm not sure when we will start. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612878 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 15:58:41 +0000 jhd 2612878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Same as @rattles: We took LO at 15 months because I wanted to get him used to it. So far he hasn't had a full on cleaning, but I feel it has been valuable. He sees a pediatric dentist who has a really awesome office and staff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612866 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 15:41:04 +0000 rattles 2612866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both of my girls have been going since 15 months. I think it helped them to have been for more simple checkups because they were comfortable before actual cleanings and X-rays started. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612844 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 15:20:08 +0000 psw27 2612844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is 2 and is going for the first time in 2 weeks. I was told 1 in the past, but I asked my uncle who is a dentist and he said as long as we are brushing there isn't much of a reason to go before 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612793 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 14:08:17 +0000 Ajsmommy 2612793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I ask our ped every time when we should take dd and he says 3 yo. So we haven't been yet.. I am not looking forward to it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/seeing-a-dentist-before-2#post-2612779 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 13:51:25 +0000 PinkElephant 2612779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took DD2 shortly after she turned 1, just because DD2 was nearly 3 and going anyway. I'm so glad I did - she did an awesome job, and has gone every 6 months since (so she's had 3 visits). She loves helping to hold "Mr. Thirsty" while the hygienist cleans her teeth! By starting early, it's just a normal thing for her, and the dentist isn't scary/a big deal. They just see my dentist, but she has plenty of pediatric patients. They have kids' toothpaste/fluoride flavors, stream Netflix, and let kids pick a prize when they're finished. If you've got insurance, I see no reason not to just go for it. :)</p> <p>ETA: Her cleaning/checkup with actual dentist/fluoride application all take under 15 minutes. </p>