https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 14 May 2026 00:59:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-1st-dental-appointment#post-893739 Fri, 28 Jun 2013 13:27:09 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 893739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raindrop: sounds very similar to my experience. glad it went well - i'm sure future readers will appreciate how you documented that for them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-1st-dental-appointment#post-893680 Fri, 28 Jun 2013 13:13:48 +0000 Raindrop 893680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Went to the dental appointment today and I thought it would be good to recap for people that search "First Dental Appointment" :)</p> <p>LO is 16 months next week.</p> <p>Our appointment was at 8:30am, we got there at 8:20am.</p> <p>We filled out some paper work. LO was walking around and exploring the tiny waiting room. He did something he normally doesn't do... which is do short screams - He did probably a dozen short screams while we were filling out paper work... maybe he was excited about a new place?</p> <p>We were done with the 2-pages we had a few other things they had to tell us that we had to sign and acknowledge. This is when LO got upset because he likes pens and saw us using one and normally we give him the pen we are using but this pen was attached to the electronic signing thingy and it upset him that he couldn't have that pen. </p> <p>The reception was super quick and gave him some stickers. That actually really calmed him down. He really liked holding on to them and he did so the whole entire time.</p> <p>Then we were brought in by the dentist assistant, he was pretty nice he showed us around the office since it was our first time three. Then we were guided to a chair.</p> <p>The dentist introduced herself and she had LO sit in the dentist seat by himself and gave him a new toothbrush which was a frog body with a toothbrush hidden in his head. She went into to examine his teeth and he had his mouth shut tight! He was getting upset but he wouldn't cry... IE open his mouth at all. She asked if I could sit with him. So I picked him up and sat in the chair with him.</p> <p>He was comfortable enough to let her look at his mouth. She said everything looked great! Then she got her assistant to get a fluoride paste which was watermelon flavor and brushed it on his teeth. This was probably the hardest part because he would have his mouth open long enough only to do 1/4th of his mouth and would shut it tight. We managed to get his mouth open enough times to complete the fluoride treatment. The fluoride treatment took about a total of 5 minutes, but it felt longer!</p> <p>Then we were done and that was it!</p> <p>We then asked a few questions.</p> <p>She said if I'm having too much trouble getting him to open his mouth for a brush that using a wet towel was good enough at this age, and maybe once in a while get a brush to his molars.</p> <p>She said if he still sleeps while drinking a bottle (which LO does...) she said that's okay as long as we could try to wet towel his mouth after finishes drinking it when he is asleep.</p> <p>She said they don't do "real" cleanings till they are little older but she feels I came in the right time. She says she gets people that come in with babies that have only 1 tooth and she gets people that come in with 4 years for the first time, she does feel earlier is better but she feels we came in at the perfect time. Phew! The next visit will probably be similar to what happened in this visit.</p> <p>She was very happy with LO's teeth and says that he has good teeth and there is no signs of cavities and he has really good enamel and that it is probably something we won't have to worry about anytime soon.</p> <p>Some background both me and DH have pretty good teeth, I never needed braces (but DH did) and I did have a few cavities when I was younger and the same goes for DH.</p> <p>Then we were out the door by 8:55am.</p> <p>It was a pretty pleasant experience overall. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-1st-dental-appointment#post-883883 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 16:28:14 +0000 Raindrop 883883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@TemperanceBrennan: Thanks for comment. I'm not sure if making it a big deal is going to register with him since he's so young but I will see what I can do. Love the book tips! </p> <p>@Mrs. High Heels: Thanks for describing your first visit with your DD. ^_^ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-1st-dental-appointment#post-883608 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 15:15:29 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 883608@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took DD to the dentist for the 1st time recently, and she did really well! She was 29-months. I was apologizing for not bringing her in sooner, but my dentist brushed it off and said he thinks coming in when they're around 2 years old is perfect, and that any younger than that and there's really not much he can do.</p> <p>The dentist I went to sees a lot of kids, so he had stickers, gave her a brand new toothbrush, had an Aladdin movie on in the chair, and a treasure chest of trinkets for her to choose from at the end of the appointment.</p> <p>Originally, they thought it would be better to bring her back alone, but since she's really shy I went back with her, and they had me sit IN the chair with her. He managed to look in her mouth and show her how to brush her teeth with her brand new toothbrush. Everything checked out well, and he said since she did so well this time he didn't want to scare her off and give her x-rays... so we'll do x-rays at the next appointment.</p> <p>We didn't do anything to prepare her, but we did bring her lovey along for comfort. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-1st-dental-appointment#post-883461 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 14:42:07 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 883461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe could you make it a big deal? Like it is a special treat to go to the dentist. You could talk about it before hand and try to get him excited for it. Maybe afterwards you could go to the store to get a new toothbrush and toothpaste? I'm not sure if he would be too young to get that. </p> <p>It looks like there are several books about going to the dentist that might be fun to read with him:</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dentist-Little-Critter-Golden-Look-Look/dp/0307125831" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Dentist-Little-Critter-Golden-Look-Look/dp/0307125831</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.usborne.com/catalogue/catalogue.aspx?id=3296" rel="nofollow">http://www.usborne.com/catalogue/catalogue.aspx?id=3296</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-1st-dental-appointment#post-883244 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:58:23 +0000 Raindrop 883244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey119: Haha that sounds like a good tip! ^_^</p> <p>We tried showing him how we brush our teeth... was not interested. We sang him songs about brushing... not helpful. We let him "play" with the brush... he didn't get it.</p> <p>When I tried to put the brush in his mouth, he would shut his mouth sooo tight! He will also swat the brush away with his hands and arms with all his baby might. ^_^</p> <p>So now I have LO's back to my chest and hold down his hands with one arm and quickly brush his teeth with the other hand. He is quite a stubborn baby. </p> <p>I will try showing him a video tonight to see how that goes.</p> <p>I'm glad to hear your DD is a good brusher now. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-1st-dental-appointment#post-883122 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:35:42 +0000 chopsuey 883122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raindrop: I had a tough time brushing DD's teeth when she was that age too. We used to let her watch some youtube while we quickly brushed her teeth. :P<br /> She brushes her teeth just fine now! :)<br /> I need to schedule an appt for my DD too so thank for the reminder! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-1st-dental-appointment#post-883100 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:32:06 +0000 Raindrop 883100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey119: Thanks for the comment! ^_^</p> <p>One of the main reasons I'm going is because I find it tough to brush LO's teeth every day and we think talking to a dentist will help... *crossing fingers* </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-1st-dental-appointment#post-883067 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:28:08 +0000 chopsuey 883067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is almost 27 months old and I haven't taken her yet.<br /> My old pediatrician said first visits were at 2yo. My new one says we don't have to go until 3yo. </p> <p>My SIL said kids do better when they go back to the exam room alone. I'm not sure if your 16 month old would do okay on his own though.. </p> <p>Sorry, no tips! Usually they have TV in the exam rooms so it keeps LOs distracted! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-1st-dental-appointment#post-883029 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:21:23 +0000 Raindrop 883029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are taking LO to his first dental appointment on Friday. He will be 16 month next week. I know I know we were supposed to take him at 1 year but I didn't know! He has all his teeth, 4 of them haven't fully come in yet but they are growing slowly but surely.</p> <p>I am little worried about going to the dentist. I think I'm projecting my fear because I have never liked going to the dentist.</p> <p>I'm just not sure what to expect.</p> <p>Is there anything I can do to prepare for it or prepare LO for it?</p> <p>Basically do you lovely ladies and gents have any tips or suggestions? </p>