Going to the dentist.

My older son was 4 when I first took him to the dentist. It was just a routine check and I needed the dentist to give my son a talk on how to keep his teeth clean. He actually enjoyed it. My older son got his first tooth after he was a year old. My second one is 1 year old now and has 8 teeth and more on it's way soon. But like your son, I doubt if he would open up to a dentist. I have been thinking about getting his teeth checked...but I also think it would be a waste of time...because he's not going to let a stranger touch him.

I think that it really just depends on when you want to take him (with in reason) I need to schedule an appointment for my oldest soon, I'll prob. do one in Jan, he'll be almost 3 1/2 so we def. need to get him in there. I would not have gone when my youngest first got teeth (seeing how he was 4 months old) b/c that would seem ridiculous.. and I agree, taking a toddler would be silly as well.. if my 15 month old comes near you with an open mouth, you better watch out, he may be getting ready to bite you.. (: Seriously.. I think 3 is a pretty good age.

When they get their first tooth seems a little early to me. you don't want to scare a child because if they have a bad experience you'll have a hard time getting them to go to the dentists. My kids were around three on their first trip to the dentist. We had no problems getting them to go and they actually seemed to enjoy it. Our dentist took their picture for the cavity free wall of fame and gave them a tooth brush and floss. She also gave them sunglasses to wear when she had the light on their mouths. We have had to switch to a new dentist recently and he is even better than our old one. My son had a bad caavity and when the dentist was filling it he had my son laughing. When you do decide to take your son look for a dentist who is good with kids, it really helps. My kids look forward to the dentist. Ask around to friends, family or your family doctor for recommedations.

In Sweden we let the children go to the dentist when they have their first teeth. However, first they have to practicing and go to a dentist nurse for some time to learn about the stuff used in the dentist chair. My both children now 16 and 20 years old still have trouble with the fear of going to the dentist, so they still go to their dentist they have had since they where really young. And they should by now had change dentist but will not as long as she still works at the dentist office. I think practicing going to the dentist are important for the children to learn that she or he is not dangerous and that the dentist only keep the teeth in god health.

My daughter was 3 when she 1st went. And she actually had a good time. She followed the direction. She got presents. We have a wonderful family dentist. My child left realizing that the dentist wasn't scary. They gave her some floss a toothbrush, (child sized) toothpaste. Stickers and a toothman coloring page. You might shop around see if there is a similar practice near you.

our first visit around 4-5 years maybe it was too late??? We went there just because there was some problem to fix, if not i would ratther visit the dentist much more later. To bad my dentist didn't gave anything for us but sure does he is very kind and do his job well.

barring any serious problems that arise ahead of time - it is good to wait until the child is 3 years old - and take them in for a brief exam get them acquainted with the idea do not have any work done at that time... but you want to get them used to the idea of the dentist and not to be afraid of him/her... that is easier to do when there is no necessary work to be done in the mouth. other than that they say school age it should become regular with visits. my husband worked in dental for over 25 years.