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Andrea
October 24th 03, 03:04 AM
I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the dentist
before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the girls' first dental
check-up and was told that they don't recommend that children come in until
they're around the age of 5. That seems *very* late to me, but I have heard
conflicting info. on this. I've read that children should go to the dr. when
they cut their fist tooth and I've read they should wait until they're 3 1/2.
I think I remember our ped. saying something about the age 3 for the first
dentist visit. I don't feel comfortable waiting until the children are 5 to
take them to the dentist....what if there's something wrong with their teeth
and it goes undetected. What do you all think? Should I make an appt. with a
different dentist? I wanted the girls to go to my dentist because I've always
been very happy with him. Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5 to
take them to the dentist for the first time?

TIA,
Andrea
twin girls-Jordan & Madison
3 1/2 yrs. old

multimom4
October 24th 03, 03:25 AM
I'm sure a few years ago, everyone waited til age 5 and we all still have
our teeth. Obviously, Shirley will know much better than me, but in your
shoes I would go find another dentist even if you swap back to your own
later. I called to take EHC in at 3.5 but the dentist I chose had a 9-month
waiting list for first appointments, so our first visit was at age 4.25.
Now we are "in", they just saw Holly at 2.5, more for her to get comfortable
early and make her feel big than anything else. She had a wonderful time
riding on the chair.

Personally, I think 3.5 - 4.5 is perfect and you are almost bound to have to
wait, so you are doing the right thing investigating it now. :-)

--Janet
Elliot, Hanna, Connor (10/21/96)
and Holly (4/4/01)

"Andrea" > wrote in message
...
> I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the
dentist
> before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the girls' first
dental
> check-up and was told that they don't recommend that children come in
until
> they're around the age of 5. That seems *very* late to me, but I have
heard
> conflicting info. on this. I've read that children should go to the dr.
when
> they cut their fist tooth and I've read they should wait until they're 3
1/2.
> I think I remember our ped. saying something about the age 3 for the first
> dentist visit. I don't feel comfortable waiting until the children are 5
to
> take them to the dentist....what if there's something wrong with their
teeth
> and it goes undetected. What do you all think? Should I make an appt.
with a
> different dentist? I wanted the girls to go to my dentist because I've
always
> been very happy with him. Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5
to
> take them to the dentist for the first time?
>
> TIA,
> Andrea
> twin girls-Jordan & Madison
> 3 1/2 yrs. old

multimom4
October 24th 03, 03:25 AM
I'm sure a few years ago, everyone waited til age 5 and we all still have
our teeth. Obviously, Shirley will know much better than me, but in your
shoes I would go find another dentist even if you swap back to your own
later. I called to take EHC in at 3.5 but the dentist I chose had a 9-month
waiting list for first appointments, so our first visit was at age 4.25.
Now we are "in", they just saw Holly at 2.5, more for her to get comfortable
early and make her feel big than anything else. She had a wonderful time
riding on the chair.

Personally, I think 3.5 - 4.5 is perfect and you are almost bound to have to
wait, so you are doing the right thing investigating it now. :-)

--Janet
Elliot, Hanna, Connor (10/21/96)
and Holly (4/4/01)

"Andrea" > wrote in message
...
> I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the
dentist
> before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the girls' first
dental
> check-up and was told that they don't recommend that children come in
until
> they're around the age of 5. That seems *very* late to me, but I have
heard
> conflicting info. on this. I've read that children should go to the dr.
when
> they cut their fist tooth and I've read they should wait until they're 3
1/2.
> I think I remember our ped. saying something about the age 3 for the first
> dentist visit. I don't feel comfortable waiting until the children are 5
to
> take them to the dentist....what if there's something wrong with their
teeth
> and it goes undetected. What do you all think? Should I make an appt.
with a
> different dentist? I wanted the girls to go to my dentist because I've
always
> been very happy with him. Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5
to
> take them to the dentist for the first time?
>
> TIA,
> Andrea
> twin girls-Jordan & Madison
> 3 1/2 yrs. old

David desJardins
October 24th 03, 03:59 AM
Andrea writes:
> I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the
> dentist before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the
> girls' first dental check-up and was told that they don't recommend
> that children come in until they're around the age of 5. That seems
> *very* late to me, but I have heard conflicting info. on this.

This seems very late to me, too. They probably just don't like dealing
with small children. I'd find a different dentist who wants to see your
kids. You can always switch later.

David desJardins

David desJardins
October 24th 03, 03:59 AM
Andrea writes:
> I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the
> dentist before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the
> girls' first dental check-up and was told that they don't recommend
> that children come in until they're around the age of 5. That seems
> *very* late to me, but I have heard conflicting info. on this.

This seems very late to me, too. They probably just don't like dealing
with small children. I'd find a different dentist who wants to see your
kids. You can always switch later.

David desJardins

Nick Theodorakis
October 24th 03, 04:11 AM
On 24 Oct 2003 02:04:19 GMT, (Andrea) wrote:

>I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the dentist
>before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the girls' first dental
>check-up and was told that they don't recommend that children come in until
>they're around the age of 5. That seems *very* late to me, but I have heard
>conflicting info. on this. I've read that children should go to the dr. when
>they cut their fist tooth and I've read they should wait until they're 3 1/2.
>I think I remember our ped. saying something about the age 3 for the first
>dentist visit. I don't feel comfortable waiting until the children are 5 to
>take them to the dentist....what if there's something wrong with their teeth
>and it goes undetected. What do you all think? Should I make an appt. with a
>different dentist? I wanted the girls to go to my dentist because I've always
>been very happy with him. Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5 to
>take them to the dentist for the first time?

Did the dentist give you this advice, or the receptionist?

Our girls started going when they were around 4, or a little before,
IIRC (it's been awhile). Our boy went at 2, but that was because he
knocked out a tooth. 5yo seems a little late to me. For the girls, the
first visit to the dentist were mostly for familiarization and getting
comfortable with the whole "dentist" thing. We thougth it would be
better if they didn't start out with problems on their first visit.

Nick

--
Nick Theodorakis

nicholas_theodorakis [at] urmc [dot] rochester [dot] edu

Nick Theodorakis
October 24th 03, 04:11 AM
On 24 Oct 2003 02:04:19 GMT, (Andrea) wrote:

>I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the dentist
>before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the girls' first dental
>check-up and was told that they don't recommend that children come in until
>they're around the age of 5. That seems *very* late to me, but I have heard
>conflicting info. on this. I've read that children should go to the dr. when
>they cut their fist tooth and I've read they should wait until they're 3 1/2.
>I think I remember our ped. saying something about the age 3 for the first
>dentist visit. I don't feel comfortable waiting until the children are 5 to
>take them to the dentist....what if there's something wrong with their teeth
>and it goes undetected. What do you all think? Should I make an appt. with a
>different dentist? I wanted the girls to go to my dentist because I've always
>been very happy with him. Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5 to
>take them to the dentist for the first time?

Did the dentist give you this advice, or the receptionist?

Our girls started going when they were around 4, or a little before,
IIRC (it's been awhile). Our boy went at 2, but that was because he
knocked out a tooth. 5yo seems a little late to me. For the girls, the
first visit to the dentist were mostly for familiarization and getting
comfortable with the whole "dentist" thing. We thougth it would be
better if they didn't start out with problems on their first visit.

Nick

--
Nick Theodorakis

nicholas_theodorakis [at] urmc [dot] rochester [dot] edu

Twinzmommie
October 24th 03, 04:51 AM
I used to work for a pediatric dentist and we saw children as young as 2 years
old.

For children that age it was mostly a short visit to familiarize them with the
office, the Dr and staff. Depending on how the child was behaving, we would
give them a ride on the magic chair, count their teeth and go over brushing and
healthy eating habits with them.

Many kids did not come in until 3 and that is OK. I personally would not wait
longer then 3 based soley on my experiences working with kids and dentistry.
Five years old seems a bit late to me.

Hope your girls have a great experience!
Michelle
Michelle
Mommy to Riley Claire & James Michael

Twinzmommie
October 24th 03, 04:51 AM
I used to work for a pediatric dentist and we saw children as young as 2 years
old.

For children that age it was mostly a short visit to familiarize them with the
office, the Dr and staff. Depending on how the child was behaving, we would
give them a ride on the magic chair, count their teeth and go over brushing and
healthy eating habits with them.

Many kids did not come in until 3 and that is OK. I personally would not wait
longer then 3 based soley on my experiences working with kids and dentistry.
Five years old seems a bit late to me.

Hope your girls have a great experience!
Michelle
Michelle
Mommy to Riley Claire & James Michael

multimom4
October 24th 03, 04:52 AM
That first sentence should have had a :-)) at the end.

:-)
--Janet
Elliot, Hanna, Connor (10/21/96)
and Holly (4/4/01)

"multimom4" > wrote in message
news:h40mb.5895$9E1.29419@attbi_s52...
> I'm sure a few years ago, everyone waited til age 5 and we all still have
> our teeth. Obviously, Shirley will know much better than me, but in your
> shoes I would go find another dentist even if you swap back to your own
> later. I called to take EHC in at 3.5 but the dentist I chose had a
9-month
> waiting list for first appointments, so our first visit was at age 4.25.
> Now we are "in", they just saw Holly at 2.5, more for her to get
comfortable
> early and make her feel big than anything else. She had a wonderful time
> riding on the chair.
>
> Personally, I think 3.5 - 4.5 is perfect and you are almost bound to have
to
> wait, so you are doing the right thing investigating it now. :-)
>
> --Janet
> Elliot, Hanna, Connor (10/21/96)
> and Holly (4/4/01)
>
> "Andrea" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the
> dentist
> > before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the girls' first
> dental
> > check-up and was told that they don't recommend that children come in
> until
> > they're around the age of 5. That seems *very* late to me, but I have
> heard
> > conflicting info. on this. I've read that children should go to the dr.
> when
> > they cut their fist tooth and I've read they should wait until they're 3
> 1/2.
> > I think I remember our ped. saying something about the age 3 for the
first
> > dentist visit. I don't feel comfortable waiting until the children are
5
> to
> > take them to the dentist....what if there's something wrong with their
> teeth
> > and it goes undetected. What do you all think? Should I make an appt.
> with a
> > different dentist? I wanted the girls to go to my dentist because I've
> always
> > been very happy with him. Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is
5
> to
> > take them to the dentist for the first time?
> >
> > TIA,
> > Andrea
> > twin girls-Jordan & Madison
> > 3 1/2 yrs. old
>
>

multimom4
October 24th 03, 04:52 AM
That first sentence should have had a :-)) at the end.

:-)
--Janet
Elliot, Hanna, Connor (10/21/96)
and Holly (4/4/01)

"multimom4" > wrote in message
news:h40mb.5895$9E1.29419@attbi_s52...
> I'm sure a few years ago, everyone waited til age 5 and we all still have
> our teeth. Obviously, Shirley will know much better than me, but in your
> shoes I would go find another dentist even if you swap back to your own
> later. I called to take EHC in at 3.5 but the dentist I chose had a
9-month
> waiting list for first appointments, so our first visit was at age 4.25.
> Now we are "in", they just saw Holly at 2.5, more for her to get
comfortable
> early and make her feel big than anything else. She had a wonderful time
> riding on the chair.
>
> Personally, I think 3.5 - 4.5 is perfect and you are almost bound to have
to
> wait, so you are doing the right thing investigating it now. :-)
>
> --Janet
> Elliot, Hanna, Connor (10/21/96)
> and Holly (4/4/01)
>
> "Andrea" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the
> dentist
> > before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the girls' first
> dental
> > check-up and was told that they don't recommend that children come in
> until
> > they're around the age of 5. That seems *very* late to me, but I have
> heard
> > conflicting info. on this. I've read that children should go to the dr.
> when
> > they cut their fist tooth and I've read they should wait until they're 3
> 1/2.
> > I think I remember our ped. saying something about the age 3 for the
first
> > dentist visit. I don't feel comfortable waiting until the children are
5
> to
> > take them to the dentist....what if there's something wrong with their
> teeth
> > and it goes undetected. What do you all think? Should I make an appt.
> with a
> > different dentist? I wanted the girls to go to my dentist because I've
> always
> > been very happy with him. Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is
5
> to
> > take them to the dentist for the first time?
> >
> > TIA,
> > Andrea
> > twin girls-Jordan & Madison
> > 3 1/2 yrs. old
>
>

GandSBrock
October 24th 03, 02:52 PM
Well, if you are slack, then I am more so!! I just took mine for their first
visit at 4 years old. You might want to first make sure they are in your
dental coverage. That takes about a month or so for the paperwork to get
through and the coverage to start. This happened to us, so it delayed us a
little bit. And their dentist said they would do just as much as the children
would let them. So Jake didn't get xrays, but Ryan did. I would recommend
finding a pediatric dentist. You may like your dentist, but is he good
(patient) with kids?? Are the hygenists kid friendly? Is the place decorated
fun and are there toys to play with in the waiting room? I think these things
help relax the children and make their first experiences as pleasant as
possible. But that's just my opinion. LOL!

Stephanie
Jake and Ryan 9/3/99

GandSBrock
October 24th 03, 02:52 PM
Well, if you are slack, then I am more so!! I just took mine for their first
visit at 4 years old. You might want to first make sure they are in your
dental coverage. That takes about a month or so for the paperwork to get
through and the coverage to start. This happened to us, so it delayed us a
little bit. And their dentist said they would do just as much as the children
would let them. So Jake didn't get xrays, but Ryan did. I would recommend
finding a pediatric dentist. You may like your dentist, but is he good
(patient) with kids?? Are the hygenists kid friendly? Is the place decorated
fun and are there toys to play with in the waiting room? I think these things
help relax the children and make their first experiences as pleasant as
possible. But that's just my opinion. LOL!

Stephanie
Jake and Ryan 9/3/99

Leslie
October 24th 03, 06:15 PM
"GandSBrock" > wrote in message
...
> Well, if you are slack, then I am more so!! I just took mine for their
first
> visit at 4 years old. You might want to first make sure they are in your
> dental coverage. That takes about a month or so for the paperwork to get
> through and the coverage to start. This happened to us, so it delayed us
a
> little bit. And their dentist said they would do just as much as the
children
> would let them. So Jake didn't get xrays, but Ryan did. I would
recommend
> finding a pediatric dentist. You may like your dentist, but is he good
> (patient) with kids?? Are the hygenists kid friendly? Is the place
decorated
> fun and are there toys to play with in the waiting room? I think these
things
> help relax the children and make their first experiences as pleasant as
> possible. But that's just my opinion. LOL!
>
> Stephanie
> Jake and Ryan 9/3/99

Good advice. I took my boys for the first time about a year ago, give or
take a few months. We travel 100 miles just so we can see a pediatric
dentist. They have a great office totally geared towards kids with a play
room/castle, murals on the walls, carousel, video games, air hockey, etc.
What a great way for kids to get used to seeing a dentist. If I had had a
dentist like theirs, maybe I wouldn't be so afraid of them today. :-/


--
Leslie
Alex and Jordan, 06 May 2000

Leslie
October 24th 03, 06:15 PM
"GandSBrock" > wrote in message
...
> Well, if you are slack, then I am more so!! I just took mine for their
first
> visit at 4 years old. You might want to first make sure they are in your
> dental coverage. That takes about a month or so for the paperwork to get
> through and the coverage to start. This happened to us, so it delayed us
a
> little bit. And their dentist said they would do just as much as the
children
> would let them. So Jake didn't get xrays, but Ryan did. I would
recommend
> finding a pediatric dentist. You may like your dentist, but is he good
> (patient) with kids?? Are the hygenists kid friendly? Is the place
decorated
> fun and are there toys to play with in the waiting room? I think these
things
> help relax the children and make their first experiences as pleasant as
> possible. But that's just my opinion. LOL!
>
> Stephanie
> Jake and Ryan 9/3/99

Good advice. I took my boys for the first time about a year ago, give or
take a few months. We travel 100 miles just so we can see a pediatric
dentist. They have a great office totally geared towards kids with a play
room/castle, murals on the walls, carousel, video games, air hockey, etc.
What a great way for kids to get used to seeing a dentist. If I had had a
dentist like theirs, maybe I wouldn't be so afraid of them today. :-/


--
Leslie
Alex and Jordan, 06 May 2000

shirley
October 24th 03, 10:25 PM
My DH said that 3 is the usual age for kids to see dentist and that you need
to find another dentist. ALSO, as he said - from his mouth, don't go to
anyone who doesn't believe in doing fluoride treatments on kids. Generally
they want the money from the fillings that they will inevitably have to put
in. Again, this is from a dentists mouth (yuck, yuck). Please don't start
a war on the use or not of fluoride, I'm relating what they do in dental
schools so you can make your own choices regarding that issue but we have
found that neither of our children have cavities. Yes, we brush, no we
didn't do fluoride drops but they did get treatments each time they went to
the dentist.

Shirley
mom to Chris and Kathleen 1/95

"Andrea" > wrote in message
...
> I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the
dentist
> before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the girls' first
dental
> check-up and was told that they don't recommend that children come in
until
> they're around the age of 5. That seems *very* late to me, but I have
heard
> conflicting info. on this. I've read that children should go to the dr.
when
> they cut their fist tooth and I've read they should wait until they're 3
1/2.
> I think I remember our ped. saying something about the age 3 for the first
> dentist visit. I don't feel comfortable waiting until the children are 5
to
> take them to the dentist....what if there's something wrong with their
teeth
> and it goes undetected. What do you all think? Should I make an appt.
with a
> different dentist? I wanted the girls to go to my dentist because I've
always
> been very happy with him. Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5
to
> take them to the dentist for the first time?
>
> TIA,
> Andrea
> twin girls-Jordan & Madison
> 3 1/2 yrs. old

shirley
October 24th 03, 10:25 PM
My DH said that 3 is the usual age for kids to see dentist and that you need
to find another dentist. ALSO, as he said - from his mouth, don't go to
anyone who doesn't believe in doing fluoride treatments on kids. Generally
they want the money from the fillings that they will inevitably have to put
in. Again, this is from a dentists mouth (yuck, yuck). Please don't start
a war on the use or not of fluoride, I'm relating what they do in dental
schools so you can make your own choices regarding that issue but we have
found that neither of our children have cavities. Yes, we brush, no we
didn't do fluoride drops but they did get treatments each time they went to
the dentist.

Shirley
mom to Chris and Kathleen 1/95

"Andrea" > wrote in message
...
> I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the
dentist
> before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the girls' first
dental
> check-up and was told that they don't recommend that children come in
until
> they're around the age of 5. That seems *very* late to me, but I have
heard
> conflicting info. on this. I've read that children should go to the dr.
when
> they cut their fist tooth and I've read they should wait until they're 3
1/2.
> I think I remember our ped. saying something about the age 3 for the first
> dentist visit. I don't feel comfortable waiting until the children are 5
to
> take them to the dentist....what if there's something wrong with their
teeth
> and it goes undetected. What do you all think? Should I make an appt.
with a
> different dentist? I wanted the girls to go to my dentist because I've
always
> been very happy with him. Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5
to
> take them to the dentist for the first time?
>
> TIA,
> Andrea
> twin girls-Jordan & Madison
> 3 1/2 yrs. old

shirley
October 24th 03, 10:27 PM
Yes, yes, yes. My DH even sent kids home without doing ANYTHING on them
when they were acting out. Rather than give them a bad taste (another ha,
ha), of their experience, he chose to let them ride with the flow.

Shirley

"Twinzmommie" > wrote in message
...
> I used to work for a pediatric dentist and we saw children as young as 2
years
> old.
>
> For children that age it was mostly a short visit to familiarize them with
the
> office, the Dr and staff. Depending on how the child was behaving, we
would
> give them a ride on the magic chair, count their teeth and go over
brushing and
> healthy eating habits with them.
>
> Many kids did not come in until 3 and that is OK. I personally would not
wait
> longer then 3 based soley on my experiences working with kids and
dentistry.
> Five years old seems a bit late to me.
>
> Hope your girls have a great experience!
> Michelle
> Michelle
> Mommy to Riley Claire & James Michael
>

shirley
October 24th 03, 10:27 PM
Yes, yes, yes. My DH even sent kids home without doing ANYTHING on them
when they were acting out. Rather than give them a bad taste (another ha,
ha), of their experience, he chose to let them ride with the flow.

Shirley

"Twinzmommie" > wrote in message
...
> I used to work for a pediatric dentist and we saw children as young as 2
years
> old.
>
> For children that age it was mostly a short visit to familiarize them with
the
> office, the Dr and staff. Depending on how the child was behaving, we
would
> give them a ride on the magic chair, count their teeth and go over
brushing and
> healthy eating habits with them.
>
> Many kids did not come in until 3 and that is OK. I personally would not
wait
> longer then 3 based soley on my experiences working with kids and
dentistry.
> Five years old seems a bit late to me.
>
> Hope your girls have a great experience!
> Michelle
> Michelle
> Mommy to Riley Claire & James Michael
>

Twinzmommie
October 25th 03, 12:58 AM
<< My DH even sent kids home without doing ANYTHING on them
when they were acting out. >><BR><BR>

Shirlee,

This was the policy in the practice I worked in as well. The whole idea of
pediatric dentistry is to gear things towards making dental visits positive
experiences so kids would not develop the fear that many adults have today due
to their childhood dental visits. Also to encourage healthy habits from the
get go.

I also agree about the fluoride, but the last time this topic was brought up
and I mentioned my opinion I was sent a flood of information about how
detrimental fluoride treatments are. The source was an Internet site that
mentioned absolutely nothing about the ADA. Isn't that odd?
Michelle
Mommy to Riley Claire & James Michael

Twinzmommie
October 25th 03, 12:58 AM
<< My DH even sent kids home without doing ANYTHING on them
when they were acting out. >><BR><BR>

Shirlee,

This was the policy in the practice I worked in as well. The whole idea of
pediatric dentistry is to gear things towards making dental visits positive
experiences so kids would not develop the fear that many adults have today due
to their childhood dental visits. Also to encourage healthy habits from the
get go.

I also agree about the fluoride, but the last time this topic was brought up
and I mentioned my opinion I was sent a flood of information about how
detrimental fluoride treatments are. The source was an Internet site that
mentioned absolutely nothing about the ADA. Isn't that odd?
Michelle
Mommy to Riley Claire & James Michael

Seth Jackson
October 27th 03, 10:57 PM
On 24 Oct 2003 02:04:19 GMT, (Andrea) wrote:

>I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the dentist
>before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the girls' first dental
>check-up and was told that they don't recommend that children come in until
>they're around the age of 5. That seems *very* late to me, but I have heard
>conflicting info. on this. I've read that children should go to the dr. when
>they cut their fist tooth and I've read they should wait until they're 3 1/2.
>I think I remember our ped. saying something about the age 3 for the first
>dentist visit. I don't feel comfortable waiting until the children are 5 to
>take them to the dentist....what if there's something wrong with their teeth
>and it goes undetected. What do you all think? Should I make an appt. with a
>different dentist? I wanted the girls to go to my dentist because I've always
>been very happy with him. Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5 to
>take them to the dentist for the first time?

Our Ped. suggested it at their 3 1/2 year visit. We ended up taking
them in for their first appointment last week, shortly after they
turned 4. It went surprisingly well. Xrays were taken, and their
teeth were cleaned. The kids didn't cry at all, and they actually said
it was fun.
--
-Seth Jackson, proud father of Derek and Mariel(10/1/99). Pictures at:
http://hitmeister.home.mindspring.com/familypictures.htm

Music links: www.mp3.com/SethJackson
www.mp3.com/loudspeaker
www.SethJackson.net

Seth Jackson
October 27th 03, 10:57 PM
On 24 Oct 2003 02:04:19 GMT, (Andrea) wrote:

>I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the dentist
>before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the girls' first dental
>check-up and was told that they don't recommend that children come in until
>they're around the age of 5. That seems *very* late to me, but I have heard
>conflicting info. on this. I've read that children should go to the dr. when
>they cut their fist tooth and I've read they should wait until they're 3 1/2.
>I think I remember our ped. saying something about the age 3 for the first
>dentist visit. I don't feel comfortable waiting until the children are 5 to
>take them to the dentist....what if there's something wrong with their teeth
>and it goes undetected. What do you all think? Should I make an appt. with a
>different dentist? I wanted the girls to go to my dentist because I've always
>been very happy with him. Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5 to
>take them to the dentist for the first time?

Our Ped. suggested it at their 3 1/2 year visit. We ended up taking
them in for their first appointment last week, shortly after they
turned 4. It went surprisingly well. Xrays were taken, and their
teeth were cleaned. The kids didn't cry at all, and they actually said
it was fun.
--
-Seth Jackson, proud father of Derek and Mariel(10/1/99). Pictures at:
http://hitmeister.home.mindspring.com/familypictures.htm

Music links: www.mp3.com/SethJackson
www.mp3.com/loudspeaker
www.SethJackson.net

telmgren
October 28th 03, 04:21 AM
"Andrea" > wrote in message
...

Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5 to
> take them to the dentist for the first time?
>
I haven't heard of this, but I wouldn't be surprised either. I've heard the
same conflicting information about when to take them. That being said, I
asked my pediatrician and she said that it wasn't necessary until around age
three, but, I could take them to a pediatric dentist anytime if I had a
concern. It turned out that Lauren had a spot on her front tooth, so we
took them in for a checkup, and it went fine. I don't think it hurts to
start going early.

telmgren
October 28th 03, 04:21 AM
"Andrea" > wrote in message
...

Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5 to
> take them to the dentist for the first time?
>
I haven't heard of this, but I wouldn't be surprised either. I've heard the
same conflicting information about when to take them. That being said, I
asked my pediatrician and she said that it wasn't necessary until around age
three, but, I could take them to a pediatric dentist anytime if I had a
concern. It turned out that Lauren had a spot on her front tooth, so we
took them in for a checkup, and it went fine. I don't think it hurts to
start going early.

H Schinske
October 28th 03, 05:40 PM
>
>"Andrea" > wrote in message
...
>
> Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5 to
>> take them to the dentist for the first time?

I have to say, it never even OCCURRED to me to take them a whole lot earlier
than that. So far not a cavity in the lot (knock wood).

--Helen

H Schinske
October 28th 03, 05:40 PM
>
>"Andrea" > wrote in message
...
>
> Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5 to
>> take them to the dentist for the first time?

I have to say, it never even OCCURRED to me to take them a whole lot earlier
than that. So far not a cavity in the lot (knock wood).

--Helen

Andrea
October 31st 03, 02:20 AM
>Yes, we brush, no we
>didn't do fluoride drops but they did get treatments each time they went to
>the dentist.

Shirley-

Do they get the fluoride treatments at age 3 or do they start them when they're
older?

Thanks for the info. :)

Andrea
twin girls-Jordan & Madison
3 1/2 yrs. old

Andrea
October 31st 03, 02:20 AM
>Yes, we brush, no we
>didn't do fluoride drops but they did get treatments each time they went to
>the dentist.

Shirley-

Do they get the fluoride treatments at age 3 or do they start them when they're
older?

Thanks for the info. :)

Andrea
twin girls-Jordan & Madison
3 1/2 yrs. old

shirley
November 2nd 03, 02:54 AM
DH said no, but what they want to do is introduce the kids to the
instruments in their mouth, the whole dental thing and just being there.
But they usually do clean them and give you an overview of their tooth
growth.

Shirley


"Andrea" > wrote in message
...
> >Yes, we brush, no we
> >didn't do fluoride drops but they did get treatments each time they went
to
> >the dentist.
>
> Shirley-
>
> Do they get the fluoride treatments at age 3 or do they start them when
they're
> older?
>
> Thanks for the info. :)
>
> Andrea
> twin girls-Jordan & Madison
> 3 1/2 yrs. old

shirley
November 2nd 03, 02:54 AM
DH said no, but what they want to do is introduce the kids to the
instruments in their mouth, the whole dental thing and just being there.
But they usually do clean them and give you an overview of their tooth
growth.

Shirley


"Andrea" > wrote in message
...
> >Yes, we brush, no we
> >didn't do fluoride drops but they did get treatments each time they went
to
> >the dentist.
>
> Shirley-
>
> Do they get the fluoride treatments at age 3 or do they start them when
they're
> older?
>
> Thanks for the info. :)
>
> Andrea
> twin girls-Jordan & Madison
> 3 1/2 yrs. old

JMH
November 20th 03, 03:43 AM
as soon as they have teeth, they can go.


"Andrea" > wrote in message
...
> I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the
dentist
> before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the girls' first
dental
> check-up and was told that they don't recommend that children come in
until
> they're around the age of 5. That seems *very* late to me, but I have
heard
> conflicting info. on this. I've read that children should go to the dr.
when
> they cut their fist tooth and I've read they should wait until they're 3
1/2.
> I think I remember our ped. saying something about the age 3 for the first
> dentist visit. I don't feel comfortable waiting until the children are 5
to
> take them to the dentist....what if there's something wrong with their
teeth
> and it goes undetected. What do you all think? Should I make an appt.
with a
> different dentist? I wanted the girls to go to my dentist because I've
always
> been very happy with him. Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5
to
> take them to the dentist for the first time?
>
> TIA,
> Andrea
> twin girls-Jordan & Madison
> 3 1/2 yrs. old

JMH
November 20th 03, 03:43 AM
as soon as they have teeth, they can go.


"Andrea" > wrote in message
...
> I have been feeling like a slack Mama for not taking my girls to the
dentist
> before now, so I called my dentist to make an appt. for the girls' first
dental
> check-up and was told that they don't recommend that children come in
until
> they're around the age of 5. That seems *very* late to me, but I have
heard
> conflicting info. on this. I've read that children should go to the dr.
when
> they cut their fist tooth and I've read they should wait until they're 3
1/2.
> I think I remember our ped. saying something about the age 3 for the first
> dentist visit. I don't feel comfortable waiting until the children are 5
to
> take them to the dentist....what if there's something wrong with their
teeth
> and it goes undetected. What do you all think? Should I make an appt.
with a
> different dentist? I wanted the girls to go to my dentist because I've
always
> been very happy with him. Has anyone heard of waiting until a child is 5
to
> take them to the dentist for the first time?
>
> TIA,
> Andrea
> twin girls-Jordan & Madison
> 3 1/2 yrs. old