Pediatric Dentistry....

I just took my three-year-old to a dentist about one month ago. Call a family dentist and find out what the youngest age they will take is. I know some Pediatric dentists will see a baby after the first tooth comes in. Family Dentists will usually start seeing children around 3 or 4.

I was told to start bringing them when they turn 3. I have been bringing both my children since that age and they love the dentist.

My dentist told me to start taking them when they're 3. He recommended bringing my son to my next appointment (he'll be 2 1/2) and that way he will see what it's like for when he goes at 3.

Hi there!
3 years old is a good age to begin bringing your child to the dentist. I am not sure where you live, but I highly recommend the Kids Dentist in West Springfield. They are wonderful there and my son (whom I brought at 3 years old)loves it there!

We began bringing my daughter at age 3 and it was good- I learned a lot about what I was doing wrong (oops!) Fruit roll ups, fruit snacks, sippy cups!

I am not sure what area of MA you are in, but we go to the KIDS DENTIST in West Springfield. They have DVD Flat screen players above every chair in the office- THe first time my 3 year old freaked! All they did was count her teeth and do a quick cleaning. We went back 6 months later and she did WONDERFUL! They were able to do everything but flouride.

I would definitely bring her, just to give her the experience. My 5 year old is great about going- he loves it!

Good Luck!

Hi C.,
I am fairly positive that kids need to have their 1st check -up at age 3. Both of my daughters went for their first exams at age 3.
Good luck.

Talk to your Dentist or the Pediatric Dr. Good luck.

My doctor also says 3. You also don't have to bring her to a pediatric dentist, as long as the one you go to is good with it, it can be better not to. I bring my daughter with me and we do our appointments back to back. The hygenist is amazing - it's not specifically for kids but they have a whole drawerful of "tricks" for the kids - they have her put on these big plastic sunglasses so the light doesn't hurt her, pick out a prize, a toothbrush, use the equipment, etc. They have stuff for her to do while I'm having my appointment too - she gets to brush the fake teeth with an oversized toothbrush. She spends so much time with her and seem to really enjoy her too. It's really great and I would imagine even better than a pediatric dentist who does it all day.

Charlen S:

This is actually the second time writing this response...I am not sure if you received the first one but it was incomplete. I am not sure whether it got lost or sent midsentence. Anyways, I will start over.

I am a full-time board certified pediatric dentistry in full-time practice for the past 10 years. The recommendation is for the first visit to occur at the eruption of the first tooth or at 1 years old whichever comes first. I am sure you are thinking: my child will not sit and open at 1 years old. The goal of a pediatric dentist is PREVENTION! At the first appointment, the dentist will take a quick look in the mouth to make sure everything is normal. The majority of the appointment is spent consulting with the parents regarding oral hygiene practices, diet, nutrition, fluoride intake...In my own professional experience, I had to take a 15-month old child into the operating room to provide dental treatment under general anesthesia. Believe it or not it is very common to have to take children to the operating room for dental treatment because of the extent and number of decayed teeth. And this is usually done for children under 4 years old. I definitely do not mean to scare you with all of this information. I only want to stress the importance of the prevention aspect. I have a 5-year old and a 3-year old and have been taking them into my office for frequent routine cleanings since their first tooth came in. My hope is for them to never know what a filling is and they love coming to my office to get their teeth clean because of the "prize" they get at the end for being good. Good luck

C. P

I suggest taking her ASAP. Think about what has been in her mouth the past 2 1/2 years while her teeth were already in? Probably alot of stuff that is not perfectly heathy for her teeth. The sooner the better on getting them cleaned and florinated. Atleast that way if you do need a dentist quickly for her...she already has a background with them too. It's no fun trying to get in to a dentist without a history. Let alone being in pain at 3yrs old and mommy cant fix it. Ask the dentist while you are there when would be an appropriate age. I belive it is 2 yrs old...maybe younger. Good luck. Think ahead. Just bring her in. It can't hurt.

Dr Nick Sencamici I think is his name in Danvers, right off rt128.. Do it soon, my 3yr old had 2 cavities!!!

I took my older son to the dentist when he was 4 but I felt I was really late with it. When I took him there they actually said they see children at about age 1 just to check on their teeth not for the full exam.

My pediatrician recommended we make an appt now with a dental office that specializes in pediatric dentristy. My own daughter just turned a year old in August...but has most of her teeth including her back molars on top and bottom so our doctor recommended now...but said that usually she would tell be people by the 2nd birthday is fine.

Hi C.. My pediatrician's office has recommended that children begin seeing a dentist at about the age of 3 yrs. I personally know some parents that waited until their child(ren) reached 4. My advice to you is to check with your pediatrician's office AND your medical insurance provider. Hopefully, they'll both be on the same page.

Hi C.,
My dentist recomended taking my son a few times while I was getting my teeth cleaned so he wouldn't be scared, and then when he was 3, had him come in for his first cleaning, which he loved and keeps begging to go back.

Hello They say its good to have them Chekced at 1 and then Again at 2 3 4 5 Then every 6 Months to a year as they tend to eat more sweets...Good Luck

I am in the same boat...my Doctor suggested to do it anytime before her 4th birthday. I am trying to find a pediatric dentist because my daughter is terrified at the thought of going.

Hope it helps!

i have read to bring them when they are two. isabella will be 2 next weeks so i gotta start looking for one.

HI C. ~

You should bring her this year. They say you should bring them at one years old. I was just watching a show on child dentistry and they were saying that a cavity in a baby tooth can go through to the adult tooth! Scary because I did not know that. What area do you live in I can recommand my daughters to you.

K.

The pediatric dentist advised at age of 1, and then again for regular check ups. I think regular dentists advise age of 3 because they don't usually deal with babies/toddlers.

My husband is a dentist and he suggested bringing your daughter in with you for your next cleaning and have the dentist/hygenist look in her mouth (if she will let them). He said even if she just rides in the chair and gets a balloon, that is fine ... the idea is just to get her comfortable going to the dentist.