What's the best age to start taking kids to the dentist?
Parenting & Your ChildWell, yesterday I went for my 6 month check-up/cleaning at the dentist and took my son along. It was recommended that I take my son for his first check-up at age 1. I think that's crazy! Why pay $150-200 to get a 12 month olds teeth "looked at?" They can't even get their teeth really cleaned at that age and only have a few. So, anyhow, when I went in yesterday my dentist agreed to look in my sons mouth. He only lasted about 1 minute before throwing a fit and then all was fine. My dentist has been around forever, he actually was my dentist when I was a kid, and he said all looked perfectly normal...so, are baby dental visits a rip-off? I'm saying yes, unless you have a dental emergency, broken tooth, teeth not coming in, wrong color, obvious things but I think paying $200 at age 1 to get my sons teeth "looked at" is crazy! Funny thing...there was a waiting list at one dental office for my son that was recommended I call and they said that they do not take insurance, huh-wonder why?
Ryan Everhart said:
Yea 1 year old is a little bit young in my opinion as well. It takes a lot of patience to set there with you mouth open and have some one dig around in there. My daughter is 4 now and I'm not so sure she'd set in the chair very long. Is it time for her to go to the dentist? My thought is that they are baby teeth and they will start to fall out in another 2 years. Is that the wrong train of thought?
Good post!
Ryan
Good post!
Ryan
Chasity said:
Thanks for your comments. Yeah, the whole baby and dentist thing is questionable in my opinion. I do trust my dentist that I spoke with yesterday. He's been our family dentist for about 22+ years. My chart dates back to my days in middle school with braces! Anyhow, he said around 3-4 is when he recommends b/c it helps the child become familiar with the dentist and the routine. It helps with the anxiety that they face. He told me that even though they are baby teeth, they can still get painful cavities. But, who knows? I believe there is so much marketing aimed at us parents b/c you want to do what's best for your child at whatever cost...I think it's parent abuse!
Ryan Everhart said:
Well that makes sense then, getting the kids used to the routine. I know I HATE the dentist. I just went for the first in < gulp > at least 10 years last month and it was painful. Painful enough for me not to wait that long again. I go back in March! Thankfully I had no cavities.
Whoops.. this isn't about me, it's about the kids! Guess it's time to call the dentist for my biggest little one. Now who's going to tell this little one she has to go??? http://www.ryanandmichelle.com/photos/Aug2006/IMG_...
Ryan
Whoops.. this isn't about me, it's about the kids! Guess it's time to call the dentist for my biggest little one. Now who's going to tell this little one she has to go??? http://www.ryanandmichelle.com/photos/Aug2006/IMG_...
Ryan
Chasity said:
too cute...looks like she's got a great smile! I hate going too but I remember my sister having to go through a painful procedure and have her baby teeth pulled b/c my parents (back in the day it was ok) made the mistake of letting her take her bottle to bed...there is 5 years between my sister and I and I still remember all the fear...thanks for sharing the pic, she's too cute! You obviously can see our little one since he's my headshot!
Ryan Everhart said:
Yea I can see your little one there. If he were a bit older I'd be wondering what he was doing behind that tree. Thinking he just couldn't quite make it to the potty!
And whats wrong with taking a bottle to bed? We let our youngest one take her sippy (spelling) to bed with her.
And whats wrong with taking a bottle to bed? We let our youngest one take her sippy (spelling) to bed with her.
Aaron Lynch said:
Her sister used to take a bottle to bed when she was a little kiddo, doing that caused her teeth to get a ton of cavities. I guess it is all the milk sugar or something.
Chasity said:
It's ok, maybe if it's water, but the milk sugars are not good to sit on their teeth (I think but I'm not a dentist and this is our first child, what I've been told from the doctors). That is why my baby sister had to have her baby teeth pulled, but it was an extreme case. We started letting our son drink a bottle downstairs with us at night, never taking it to his room with him just because I was so scared of what happen to my sister. It's hard to deny your baby something that gives them comfort! We were giving our son his bottle in bed too but then I had to stop myself. It is so tempting, esp. if it helps them go to sleep!!
Ryan Everhart said:
Well I'll be damned. I shall have to share with my wife. We've let both our kids go to be with their milk. Luckily our oldest no longer needs it. Well damn, just when you think you know what you are doning! Don't call CPS on us!!
Aaron Lynch said:
So you're saying there is a point at which you think you know what you are doing? I can't wait for that!!!
Ryan Everhart said:
Well with number two you start thinking.. well we didn't it with number one and look how she turned out!
But you are right, we never know what we are doing. The two girls are two very different people. One day at a time.
No matter how stressful it gets I have to remember these are the good times. Times will come with two teenage girls when they won't like me very much!
But you are right, we never know what we are doing. The two girls are two very different people. One day at a time.
No matter how stressful it gets I have to remember these are the good times. Times will come with two teenage girls when they won't like me very much!
Chasity said:
Girls will always love their dad...and, no, I don't think there is ever a point of knowing what we are doing. I'm starting to realize that...
Chas said:
Aaron-don't worry, I think he's already figured it out.
ps-like the Blackberry Pearl pic results, ie, your headshot!
ps-like the Blackberry Pearl pic results, ie, your headshot!
Ryan Everhart said:
Haha you know what I think about it!! And I didn't realize, is Chas, Mrs. Lynch??
Aaron Lynch said:
yessir...the difference is, she wasn't surprised by my headshot since I really do look that grumpy.
Chas said:
true, a VERY strong and an intelligent woman to top--or maybe a dumb one and i'm just too intelligent to realize it! now i've got another little aaron running around! that makes 2 grumpy men in one house! i guess i must be just plain crazy instead!!
Dave Shuck said:
OK, so I am late to this conversation, but Ryan mentioned the differences between the two kids. I am now trying to figure out how to be a Dad for the 3rd time. It is really crappy that no one becomes an expert until the need for expertise is behind them!
Dave Shuck said:
Hudson is 6 (July), Parker just turned 4 on Christmas Day, and Cassidy will be a year in February. So...
2.5 years between #1 and #2
a hair over 3 years between #2 and #3.
2.5 years between #1 and #2
a hair over 3 years between #2 and #3.
Ryan Everhart said:
Thats actually pretty good in my opinion. I was three years younger than my brother. He was a senior when I was a freshman. Worked out pretty well. Kaylie and Reese are about 2.5 years apart as well.
By the way this post is rockin.. we could be coming close to a record number of comments!
By the way this post is rockin.. we could be coming close to a record number of comments!
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