Dental Coverage

I didn't start taking my kids to the dentist until they were about 2.5 or 3. I'd say hold off on the dental coverage until you absolutely need it.

Most dentists I've encountered don't usually see little ones til they're at least 3 unless of a major problem.

i have 4 kids and my dentist starts seeing them at 3 years old.

My 2cents is to take him next year at this time. He'll hopefully have a tooth or so before that. Also, washing his gums is a good start. I had a little rubber thingie that fit over my finger. It had tiny soft spikes for massaging the gums - great for when teething is about to happen and the little tooth nubs are sore. Once some teeth erupt, you need to put the massager away because they may bite through it.
Most big chain stores that see baby stuff have an OralB (I think!) dental kit for infants that contain the massager and a couple of different brushes (one has nubs, another tiny bristles, etc.) that will get you through to the first appointment.
As for insurance, as he gets older he'll be more apt to have dental accidents. Depending upon premium prices, you can decide the level of coverage later on and increase it as the potential for disaster increases.

I would contact a pediatric dentist about this one. Ours and others, have said that they want to see the kids as soon as they start getting teeth, to detect any potential issues. My second son had his first appointment at about 6 months. He didn't do a cleaning, just inspected his teeth, asked questions about his habits, and gave us suggestions for the care of his teeth.

With my first son we waited until he was three and he was already having problems with his teeth, so I highly suggest erring on the side of caution, you don't want your child to have to go through any painful procedures.

I just asked my dentist about the same thing. My son is 18months old.... he said the he would suggest bringing him in at around 3. But you do take a chance... if your son starts to get his teeth and say an accident happens were he chips his tooth or even knocks one out... or even has some sort of gum inflamation from eating... you would need to see him. Not that that would be likely to happen... but you never know. Your office will have another open enrollment exactly one year this open enrollment again.

I would say check with your dental office - they will help you weigh the pros and cons, but what I found out from my dental office (I was shocked) is that dental insurance is not like medical insurance - you are basically paying for a discounted rate. I looked at how much my family typically spent for dental services, against what my premiums would be and it turned out to be less expensive to not carry insurance at all for any of us.

Of course, you are taking a risk with any emergencies or major work that needs to be done, but typically we would know about that ahead of time. At the very least, the chances of your newborn having dental issues are very slim.

I think the American Association of Pediatrics recommends children see the dentist for the first time around 3 - sometimes just to count their teeth and get them used to the idea, then every 6 months.

Hope that helps!

Good luck!

when I worked for a general dentist they recommended starting them at 2-3 years of age, when they would sit and be cooperative. So far all of mine have started at age 2, but they went in with me to my appointments from the time that they were born (no babysitter). If you have a pedi dentist, they will sometimes recommend that they start when they get their first tooth, but even now before their are teeth you should be wiping their mouths with a wet wash cloth. What I have found is taht if they sit for a haircut then they will most likely sit for a dentist. Good luck.

C. - my pediatrician told me that they don't have to go to a pediatric dentist until around 2-3 yrs old. However, if the pediatrician sees a problem, he'd refer a child earlier than that.
I'd wait a least one more year. And, something to think about - at age 2 or 3, they are likely to just get a cleaning and w/out dental ins., its about $40. So if your dental insurance is going to cost more than $40 for the year to have your son added, you'd be better off just paying cash for his first visit.

My son was three when I took him in for a "check-up". We didn't get anywhere even then because my son would NOT let her even look at his teeth- let alone stick something into his mouth. He is almost 4 now, and I might try again soon. So honestly, if you had your baby in August, you will not have to worry about this for several years!

Unless it is really cheap to cover him, there really isn't any need. I didn't cover my son until this year and he is 5 years old. I take him to the dentist once or twice a year (started at about 2 1/2) but it is cheaper for me to pay the 80.00 for the exam and cleaning then to pay for the coverage.

Just my opinion...I guess I have never had to worry about cavities or any other problems.

Good luck!

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and The American Academy of Pediatrics share the guideline that kids be seen within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth or by 12 months of age.

The age of 3 for the first exam is erroneous and not consistent with guidelines. It is possible that some family dentists won't see kids until age 3 because they lack the experience to examine younger children. Many children have problems well before the age of 3 and others have significant problems by the age of 3. A pediatric dentist will see a child at any age and will take the opportunity to provide anticipatory guidance.

Hi,

I didn't include my son in dental coverage until he was 3. The first time I took him to the dentist was around 3 1/2 and at that time all she did was take a look at his teeth and assure me that everything looked good. She didn't even do a cleaning or flouride until he was almost 4.

I would wait a year...or 2 to add him to your plan. I know they reccomend bringing your child to the dentist early, but it is mostly so they become comfortable with the office and the idea of the dentist. We brush my daughter's teeth 2-3 times a day and have since she was 3 months old (we used to use the little gum massage thing with no paste). She loves to brush her teeth. Recently my husband and I both went in for cleanings and I asked about making an appointment for my daughter. They suggested I bring her and just made a notation that she would be along with us. They can't clean her teeth until she'll keep her mouth open, but she watched me get my teeth cleaned (while sitting on my belly) and we talked about the dentist and practiced opening wide for a few weeks before. Because of this they were able to count her teeth (sorta) and just poke around for a minute. I think this was a first great step b/c she is very comfortable with the dentist...she even got a balloon and a sticker. But, they didn't charge us for a visit b/c they didn't clean her teeth. I would call your dentist and see what they reccomend before you up your monthly payment on your insurance.

I don't think dentists generally see children until after the age of two... You could call your dentist and see what he says though!

I didn't start taking my children until they were 3-4 years old, when they have the majority of their teeth in. As long as you don't feed your child a ton of sugar, candy, and pop, he should be ok until then! :o) I hope this helps! Take care and good luck.

I started bring my kids to the dentist at two. This was just to have them sit on my lap while I got my teeth cleaned. It gets them used to the idea and less fearful when they have to go. At two and a half the dentist suggested we bring the kids in for what they call a ride in the chair. This was just to show them what the instruments were and what they did for them. Then at three they had their first cleaning.

Oh...when my husband went to the denist we let the kids sit on his lap too the more exposure the better.

Don't be upset if your child wont let the dentist clean thoer theeth the first few visits it may take a few. So the earlier the better.

Which is why we put our kdis on or insurance at one year old. However, the denist doesn't always make you pay for rides in the chair. But if they do at least insurance can help pay for them.

Most children get their first dental apt at age three.

hello. My son was 2 when i took him to a horrible dentist she said everything looked fine and it was not. I noticed his front teeth discoloring and she said it was ok. Well about 4 months later they got worse so i took him to a pediatric dentest (which i would highly recomend there are a few dr in that office) well he had to have his two front teeth pulled and fillings i cryed my eyes out! If the other dentist did her job we could have saved his front teeth. The thing is he was not much of a sweet tooth kid so the dentist said it could have been when he bumped his mouth if he ate a lot or to little. So you never know It would have cost us 2500.00 without insurance. I dont think you need it now but def when he turns a year old. My ped dentist suggest at 12 months and my daughter is 4 weeks and i will be taking her when she turns a year old. Good luck and if you would like my dentist number let me know. My son was soooo scared to go to his cleaning last months and he is a screamer and he did fine no tears and they let them help with the cleaning.

I just asked myself the same question yesterday. My son turns two on Dec 1. My uncle is a dentist and says my son will have is first dental exam at three. So I decided not to enroll him for this year but I will for next year. I figure should something arise where he needs to go to the dentist while he's two, I'll pay out of pocket. I figure the likelyhood he'll need dental work at this age is very slim.

The last time I went to the dentist I asked him when he wanted to see my daughter. He said to wait until she is 2 or 3 years old. As long as everything is going ok.
If your son is only a few months old, I would wait.

IMO which differs from the norm is to wait until they are about 3 yrs old....as long as you practice good dental hygiene...i waited till my kids were all three but when they were about 1 started bringing them to my dentist to get used to tit then when it came time i found a WONDERFUL pedi dentist and thats where we go and ALL my kids enjoy going to the dentist!