When I was pregnant with my daughter and through the first three years of her life I read anything and everything I could about raising children. I wanted to know about developments and milestones, things I should be concerned about and things that were normal. Through the course of my reading I noticed that almost every piece of literature recommended that a child see a dentist before his/her first birthday. So, when I took my daughter and then later my son in for their 1 year well visit I asked our pediatrician. She said that unless there was a concern there was no need to see a dentist and that most dentists didn't want to see them until they were older (3-5 years) anyway.
So, it got me thinking. Who is it that is recommending that children see a dentist at 1? If it's not the pediatricians and not the pediatric dentists who is perpetuating this myth? Any thoughts? At what age did your children first see a dentist?
6 comments:
I don't know WHO is recommending the one year old. Our son first saw a dentist when he was heading towards his 5th birthday. I think it was a regular dentist and then when we moved to CT he's been going to a pediatric dentist ever since.
I would just make sure they brush their teeth until then!
Like Nancy, my kids started seeing a dentist close to, if not just past, 5 years old. And even then, I didn't use a Pediatric Dentist. We have a great general family dentist, and that's where I brought them and that's who they've been seeing ever since. They've never had any problems (or cavities!).
You just made me feel SO much better! Bear is 2 1/2 and I've been feeling guilty about not trying to find him a pediatric dentist yet. I mean, all those teeth are just going to fall out anyway...
Nancy, that makes me feel much better. At least my kids are really good about me brushing and flossing their teeth everyday.
Joanne, wow that's amazing that they have no cavities. Awesome! I never went to pediatric dentist either as a kid, so we'll see.
Robyn, yeah I kept thinking that I should have taken her in so I feel much better. Even the dentist I have the appt with I could wait another year unless I just want to get her used to coming.
I just wanted to clarify -- I only brought him to a pediatric dentist because that's where my sister took her kids and also it was a husband and wife team. She is the pediatric and he is the adult and my husband and I go to him (one stop shopping!). The other major bonus was that she does "simple orthodontics" meaning if no teeth have to be pulled, she does them. So my son had his braces done by her too! I would have been just as comfortable taking him to a regular dentist if there hadn't been a pediatric one right in town - less than a mile away :)
Nancy, I am actually excited about a pediatric dentist. While I love my dentist he is a bit gruff and no nonsense and my daughter is ultra-sensitive especially with men. Plus we have had such great experiences with all our children's doctors that I like the idea of dentists who just see children. I wish there was an adult dentist in that practice as well. That's a really good idea, now that you mention it.
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