They actually did really well. (The miniature rubber duckies that the hygienist gave them didn’t hurt.) They cried a little bit, but by me alternately asking them to show “hippopotamus” (the baby sign for which is a wide open mouth) and asking them where their tongue was, the dentist was able to get a decent peek inside their mouths.
I have found that there is so much conflicting information about when children should have their first visit to the dentist. From our pediatrician and from my dentist, I heard anywhere from age two to age four or five, but I read some online sources that noted the visit should occur by the child’s first birthday.
The pediatric dentist I chose to use sees children as young as 18 months old. I decided I would act on the cautious side and take the girls in sooner rather than later.
The dentist talked to us about the girls’ oral care routine and their diet, and asked us about some of their habits. (This is the first time I was able to proudly proclaim that the girls are weaned from their bottles…hallelujah!) He would like to see the girls again next summer, when they’re two and a half, and then we’ll begin actual cleanings every six months, beginning when they’re three.
I don’t know that a rubber duckie will always do the trick, but I can only hope that the girls will behave as well as they did today on subsequent visits.
Chalk this experience up as another major milestone!
9 comments:
Good for you for taking them early! My son is going to be 3 next month, and I'll be taking him for the first time. I'm nervous about it! Hope our attempt goes as smoothly as yours did!
I'm impressed! I didn't take my first son to the dentist until he was almost three! I still haven't taken the quads and they will be 2 in Sept. I am just not looking forward to it. I may need to split them up. Four scared kids crying might just do me in. Glad to hear yours were so well behaved!
I'm glad you had a good experience. Our dentist said age 3. Then, when I tried to make an appointment, the receptionist said 3 seemed young and that it would be a waste of everyone's time if they didn't open their mouths. So I found a pediatric dentist and it was AWESOME! No tears, no fussing, and, thankfully, no cavities. If I had known about this place I probably would have taken them earlier. I am a huge advocate of pediatric dentists.
Good for you Momma. :) I'm scared to death to take mine!
i've been wondering when we should take the kids in, too. wonder why there's so much conflicting information out there!?!
Glad to hear that the first visit went so well. Our guys have yet to go the dentist, but I'll start looking into it this fall when they'll be 2.5 years old. We'd planned to start visits at 3 (when they'll be covered by our insurance) and our pediatrician seemed to think that was fine as long as we kept up with the brushing and there were no signs of any problems. I can only hope that our first visit will go as smoothly as yours.
Were you there with the girls on your own or did you have hubby or someone else there too? I haven't yet thought of how I'll manage two at the dentist on my own.
That's great! I already dread taking my girls to the dentist. I hate going myself, so I can at least sympathize with them! I've had a hard time getting them to understand the concept of brushing their teeth, but it's going a little better. Our pediatrician said that some dentists will say "first tooth, first dentist visit"...but he recommends waiting until their molars come in, then going sometime after that. So, yay, we have a little more time before I have to think about it!
And hooray for no more bottles!! : ) I felt good saying it at our dr. appointment this week, too.
such a beautiful girl! <3
You really did a great job in giving your girls tender loving care and assuring them that it is okay and it's not scary going to the dentist. I know a lot of kids who has phobia on going to a dentist and thank God we are lucky enough because our kids enjoy going to the dentist. As for me, my kids regularly go to their dentists (Myrtle Beach area) and they were really enjoying every dental procedures that have been done to them.
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