Hello,
I am new here, and wondering at what age you first took your child to a dentist. My daughter Lara is 27 months old, and I am so worried about her teeth. She has never liked my husband or I brushing her teeth, but lately it has been a real struggle! We have tried many approaches like rewarding her with a sticker or an activity she likes to do once we are through. Our pediatrician told us we may just have to hold her and force her mouth open, but we are unable to do it. But, I know it's not right to let her teeth go without cleaning. So I'm thinking a trip to the dentist for advice and help may be in order. Yet, I worry it will be a terrible experience for Lara, and leave a bad first impression of going to the dentist. I would appreciate any advice.
Thank you!
Nicki

By Missmudd on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 12:58 pm:

First of all go see a pediatric dentist, very important! My ds 8 has totally been tramatized by the dentist and now I have a appt to the pediatric dentist, I just hope it isnt too late. I am a dental phobic and dont wish it on anyone. I wish I had been wise enough not to bother w/ a regular dentist but I live in a rural area and the nearest one is over an hour away. So go to a dentist that specializes in children. Ask your ped for a referal or maybe a friend who has had good dental luck.

By Kittycat_26 on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 01:07 pm:

If a pediatric dentist isn't available. I know they are far and few between particularly in some areas, be sure you go for a dentist that you like. Your daughter will sense it if you don't like them. Be sure that it is someone who has the time and patience to work with her. She has to get to know and trust them.

My son is 2 1/2 and we still have issues with brushing teeth. Maybe this isnt' the best way but I just tell him that we are going to do it. He is not allowed to leave the bathroom until we are done. I don't spend 10 minutes brushing them when he refuses but he must let me hit top and bottom. I fuse over him and tell him how good he has been all the time in the hopes that eventually it will get easier.

Good luck. Oh and to answer your question, our dentist doesn't want to see Timmy until he is 3 years old. But I'm sure all are different just like pediatricians.

By Emdee on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 01:09 pm:

My dd is 21 months and the same way; she will "brush" her own teeth with her toothbrush but pretty much refuses to let us do it. What she does allow us to do without a struggle, however, is use the finger toothbrush on her. So while we are brushing our teeth I let her brush her own. Then always at night and I try at one other time during the day--I will use the finger toothbrush on her and get them really clean. She actually sees this as some sort of game (of course, there are power struggles at times, but the majority of the time she is great with this).

By Kate on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 01:26 pm:

Gosh, I'm really bad! If my four year old goes a day without brushing I don't care! We usually brush once a day but it takes one minute, tops. I let her 'brush' as well, and that takes much longer, so I just figure she has to do SOME good during that time. And then I take over and get every tooth, but like I said, that takes one minute. I know good brushing habits are important, but I guess I find it easier to instill these habits when they're older and can understand better. My eight year old diligently brushes morning and night.

My dentist doesn't usually see kids until they are three, and when my four year old went a month ago she was pronounced 'perfect', as she was on her two other visits. In fact, I always get praised for the condition of their teeth, despite the hit or miss brushing. I think a lot has to do with genetics and tooth formation in utero. Personally, I wouldn't fret over Lara's lack of interest or her fighting you. It doesn't mean you need a dentist to intervene. I would recommend 'Barney Goes to the Dentist' book, but NOT the Berenstain Bears book....that one involves a cavity and pulled teeth, and animated pictures. Barney is real pictures, a real child, the 'real' Barney, and a real dentist with all the real equipment. The girl simply has a cleaning and all is well. Perhaps she'd like to pick out a special toothbrush or toothpaste.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 02:24 pm:

I took both of my kids when they were three. They have never been to a pediatric dentist. I don't know if we even have one in town. I have a friend who has lived here longer than I have and we went to the dentist she used. My kids loved going to the dentist because they had books and videotapes out in the waiting room and they always got prizes and a new toothbrush when they were done! One time, one of my kids didn't get to play out in the waiting room and we had tears! LOL!

By Hollydollyc on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 05:55 pm:

I am ready to schedule my kids dentist appt too. But as for her not letting you brush her teeth, we always played a game with the girls when they were younger. We would look for favorite characters hiding in their teeth. We would say oh I see Elmo or There's Dora. They would laugh and teeth brushing became fun for them! Now they brush on their own and we finish up for them.

By Kay on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 07:34 pm:

We started our kids at about 3 years old - we didn't go to a pediatric dentist, but my dentist is also a long-time friend of mine, and she's fantastic with kids! Her first appointment was to 'count their teeth', and had them watch a cartoon video, and showed them how to properly brush teeth (this was free). Then, they had a follow-up visit for any serious checking, etc.

By Imamommyx4 on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 08:38 pm:

My dd had the same problem with brushing her teeth and I was worried about her teeth, too. She complained alot about the toothpaste.

But when she was 2 1/2 I had to take her to the dentist with me for a cleaning. She sat very quietly on my lap while the hygienist cleaned away. She was mesmerized. After she was finished with me, dd said she wanted to do it,too. The hygienist said she had a few minutes, sat her down, put them bib on, counted her teeth, and then played around at cleaning the "sugar bugs" off of her teeth. DD thought it was the greatest thing. And from that point on, she has brushed the "sugar bugs" off every night so Robyn will think she has pretty teeth.

By Truestori on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 08:47 pm:

Welcome Nicki,

If your daughters teeth show no signs of decay, I would hold off on the dentist for now. My child had 10 fillings at the age of 2. My breastmilk actually caused his teeth to decay. I would suggest allowing her to brush her own teeth and gradually lead into mom brushing. Make it a fun experience, so when it is time to visit the dentist she doesn't feel frightened. Goodluck and welcome to the boards.

By Amecmom on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 08:40 am:

Can you get her a toothbrush with her favorite character on it and a cup that matches? I ordered my son a Thomas the Tank toothbrush and he can't wait to brush his teeth.

Also, does she like sweets? If so, you can tell her that she can have candy or cookies, but she has to bush her teeth after.

If all else fails, limit her sweets and juices, give her as much plain water as you can, especially before bed.

Good luck, and welcome,
Ame

By Debbie on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 08:44 am:

My youngest ds gave me a hard time about brushing. I got a little timer that I would use. I would have my ds set it and I told him that we had to brush until it went off. We would set it for a minute and then I gradually set it for a little longer. I would let him brush and then I would brush at the end, just to make sure we got all his teeth. My dentist said that the biggest thing is to watch how much sugar they eat. Especially things like fruit snacks because they get stuck in their teeth and the sugar just sits there.

I would hold off on the dentist for now.

By Fraggle on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 09:04 am:

My youngest DD started going to the dentist at 3. This was the age my pediatrician recommended for her first visit. There was a new pediatric dentist in our town so I have been there now a few times and I'm not really impressed. They have an appt. this week so we will see how it goes. If I am still not happy with the staff I will take them to my dentist next time.

I have been through some power struggles with my youngest DD about brushing. She has been most willing to brush her teeth when she has picked out the toothbrush herself.

By Nicki on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 12:26 pm:

I can't tell all of you how much I appreciate your advice and wonderful suggestions! My husband and I have both read them, and we decided we will wait until she is three to see a pediatric dentist. In the meantime, I have a lot of new things I can try thanks to the many ideas. Kate, I am going to look for the Barney book today. And the suggestion of letting her pick the toothbrush may help, too. We have an Elmo, but she's moved on to other favorites...lol. Dora comes to mind...she's watching and counting with her now. And the timer is a great idea, Debbie. Basically I feel calmer about the situation just from talking to all of you and knowing I'm not alone. I told my husband awhile back in some ways I feel as though I've started a new job as being a parent, the hardest job I have ever had. And I miss having coworkers to talk to for support and friendship. I feel so unsure about myself in this new role, but meeting all of you has already helped so much!
Thank you SO much. I'm so happy I have found you.
I hope everyone is having a great day. It is sunny and beautiful here, almost like spring.
Love, Nicki

By Amyk on Thursday, February 3, 2005 - 10:13 am:

My ds does not eat sweets, drink anything but water, milk, and diluted juice - so I am confident that his all night nursing days are the culprit. (we brush a couple times daily) I started to notice a change in his front 2 teeth - the bottoms seemed to be wearing away... so....

I made an appt. with a ped. dentist. Was told that they might not let me go back with him - I thought that surely they would as he is so young -esp. in a situation where he would have to be restrained to be examined, etc. Guess what? They refused to let me go back
with him - SO WE LEFT WITHOUT THE EXAM!!! The office manager told me that she didn't know of anyone that would let me go back for the
exam. SHE WAS WRONG. I stopped by a new family dental office on my way home - I was fuming and frustrated - and they saw my ds right away - I was welcome to go with him and hold him in my lap - turns out the dentist thought I was a big help. My poor ds has 2 cavities and at least one of them needs a filling. The family dentist
referred me to a ped. dentist for the filling - and we have an appt. next week. I confirmed that this new ped. dentist DOES let parents go back with the baby!!!!!!! Ha! Score one for mommies!

So... ask ahead of time if accompanying your dd to the exam is important to you.
You may want to consider a trip to the dentist and let them have a peek - my ds will have to be sedated for them to do the filling and I'm NOT looking forward to it.

Oh, and I found that my ds much prefered the oral b toddler paste to the Gerber brand -and that using a finger brush first was more effective.

Amy

By Kate on Thursday, February 3, 2005 - 10:46 am:

Good for you, Amy. Of COURSE parents should be allowed with their child the entire time! We go to a peds dentist and I'm right there the whole time, either holding them or sitting right next to them, whichever the girls prefer. Any doctor or dentist who says no to this should not get your business.

By Nicki on Thursday, February 3, 2005 - 01:43 pm:

Goodness, it never occured to me that I couldn't stay with my daughter during the exam! Thank you for the warning. I'm sorry you had to go through that...glad you found a caring dentist. I hope all goes well for you and your son next week.
Nicki

By Breann on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 02:35 pm:

My daughter was 5. We took her just before kindergarten. We attempted taking her several times before, starting at age 3, and she freaked out each time.

My son just went for the first time and he is 3.

I think it's important as parents to take a look in there once in awhile. You can see if the teeth are getting clean, or if it looks like a problem is on the horizon. Of course you can't see all that x-rays can. But, it's a good start.

Also, try playing "dentist" at home. Have her lay back and "check" her teeth. My daughter was most terrified of the dental exam chair. I failed to tell her that it tips you WAAAAY back. She was so scared.

She did very well at her kindergarten check-up. She said it's because she's a big girl now

Just practice good hygeine at home. This will be a great example to your daughter.

By Mommmie on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 03:42 pm:

My son's pedi dentist doesn't allow parents back. They get better compliance without the parents back there. They have a video arcade back there for the kids and they have their own receptionist that watches them and calls them over when it's time for them. All the chairs are all in the same room, too. It's not that unusual. My childhood pedi dentist was the same way. In talking with the parents in the waiting room we are all glad not to be back there.

When my son was in the hospital they didn't allow parents in the treatment rooms either.

My son is resistant to teeth bushing too and he sees an Occupational Therapist to help him with that. OTs can desensitize them.