My son is almost 2 years old. He has most if not all of his teeth. We brush his teeth every night and let him brush for a minute or two every night also. When should we bring him to the dentist for the first time?I've read all over the internet that the ADA recommends that kids should go soon after their first tooth appears. When I talk to people I know it sounds like not until the kid is about 4 or 5. I also heard someone say they brought their child at 1yr and the dentist pretty much showed the parents how to brush and just looked at the kid's teeth.
So when would it be good to take my son for the first time.
Hawkeyesrule - Definitely by age 2. That will get him used to going to the dentist and the dentist will be able to give you tips on how to stop cavities from forming. He'll also be able to identify any areas of decay (yes it happens--I've seen a 2 year old with 12 cavities before).
ReplyDeleteThe dentist will also check for any abnormalities in the mouth including gums and tooth number, color and shape.
tooth975 - My personal experience has shown that 4 is the ideal time. If the child is not clingy to mom then possibly 3. Although the ADA recommends earlier visits, in the real world I have not found that to be practical at all. Of course if you notice a serious problem then you should take him as soon as possible. There are some "authorities" that even recommend visits by 1 year of age. That is just something that only looks good on paper but not practical in real life.
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