Any LOs go to the dentist yet?

[muppetinma]

Andrew has his first appointment tomorrow and I'm slightly terrified.  I'm sure it'll be just fine. . . . Andrew just HATES when people try to look inside his mouth.  We're going to our family dentist rather than a juvenile dentistry practice.  I have heard horror stories of those places from friends in the industry.

Tell me everything will be okay.  Hold me.  Stroke my hair and tell me that it will be a piece of cake.  

[TrudyCampbell]

We went! Our appt was fine until she did the procedure to cap her teeth. She would have been happy with a normal appt. They had a few TVs in the room playing Yo Gabba!

[katfco]

We went a couple of months ago. We used a pediatric dental clinic. The way they did it, they had me sit knee to knee with the dentist and lay him across my lap, his feet to me, head in the dentist's lap. He didn't like it, but what I did was try to distract him.

With both him and DD, I would talk to them, tickle them, make them laugh, anything to keep them happy and distracted. A plus is if you make them laugh, it gets their mouths open. They did want to do a flouride treatment, which he didn't like too much. And he wasn't allowed to eat anything crunchy the rest of the day (something they forgot to tell me with DD).

It'll be okay, and if he hates it, just remember it won't last long.

[teamhayes]

no but it is on my to do list for this summer.

I don't see him sitting still for it though - he fights to get the toothbrush out of my hand or bites my fingers if I don't let him do it himself

[Deleted]

I didn't know we were supposed to go yet!

[katfco]

May 16, 2013 8:56:44 GMT -5 @lindy said:

I didn't know we were supposed to go yet!

The American Dental Association recommends babies going by their first tooth or first birthday, whichever comes later. Some dentists still won't see them until 3.

[Deleted]

May 16, 2013 9:06:24 GMT -5 katfco said:

May 16, 2013 8:56:44 GMT -5 @lindy said:

I didn't know we were supposed to go yet!

The American Dental Association recommends babies going by their first tooth or first birthday, whichever comes later. Some dentists still won't see them until 3.

Well crap, I failed on that one! I shall go look into it.

[Deleted]

Our pediatrician said to ask our dentist. Our dentist said ADA recommends coming in by their 1st birthday, but he recommends coming in closer to 2 just because it is a bit easier for the kids to understand what is happening.
I guess I'll wait until closer to 2 unless something changes my mind.

[Deleted]

We went and it was great! They have a no cry policy (unless a procedure is absolutely necessary) but she was very patient and able to see in Laney's mouth.

She did also drop the bomb that Laney will probably need braces eventually since she has a very small palette.

Here she is after her appointment!

[jaime183]

we went right after his birthday. He wasn't crazy about it but she was a ped dentist and knew how to handle it.
she just checked his teeth, his mouth and added a fluoride treatment

they recommend going at 6 teeth at this practice.

[skwcm80]

I didn't take L until she was 3. We talked about what would happen at the appointment beforehand so she would be prepared. It worked out fine for us, so we'll probably wait until A is at least 2 before I take him to the dentist.

[cat19]

She's going at Linz's next appointment - September or October...

[vthokie]

I totally don't have A on our dental plan yet, and can't add her until October. I guess we'll be waiting, though I could probably take her to my moms office.

[melis74]

May 16, 2013 8:46:22 GMT -5 katfco said:

We went a couple of months ago. We used a pediatric dental clinic. The way they did it, they had me sit knee to knee with the dentist and lay him across my lap, his feet to me, head in the dentist's lap. He didn't like it, but what I did was try to distract him.

With both him and DD, I would talk to them, tickle them, make them laugh, anything to keep them happy and distracted. A plus is if you make them laugh, it gets their mouths open. They did want to do a flouride treatment, which he didn't like too much. And he wasn't allowed to eat anything crunchy the rest of the day (something they forgot to tell me with DD).

It'll be okay, and if he hates it, just remember it won't last long.

That exactly. We went when she was like 10 months, maybe? Now we are good to go until she turns 2, she did amazing. I'm definitely setting lower expectations for our next visit though, lol.

[mumegs]

Hmm I did not think about this, and I don't think I added her on our dental policy this year either!!

[kemangel124]

Thanks for the reminder muppetinma  I had been meaning to call our benefits office.  Guess we are going too.  Good luck, let us know how he does!  I'm sure it will be fine!

[oso]

My dentist and his receptionist are almost like family. He told me that he wanted to start seeing Pilar are 1 1/2 years mainly to get her used to him. He said just to bring her when I go in for my next visit. The receptionist will watch her while I get my teeth cleaned.

[muppetinma]

It went fine. He just checked him out, did a quick "cleaning," answered some questions, and we were on our way.