December 19, 2013
So I did a lot of looking for
pediatricians and my insurance today but my favorite part was when the
insurance agent told me how much dental coverage would be for baby Addison...
Cuz her gums might get cavities or something right?? But on a serious note....
when do children need dental coverage and/or start going to the dentist? I know
that you can start brushing their teeth before they go to the dentist but I
definitely want to avoid having any kids with a dental phobia.
Brea Echard: A dental assistant I
know said about 4. I nannied a girl that went at 3
Brittany Goodyear: I've read at one
year. Savannah's doctor suggested at 2. I'm thinking 3 or 4.
Krista Mullins: Yeah 3 or 4. Babies
most certainly do not need dental coverage...
Jessica Jones Marsaw: My girls see a
pediatric dentist and their office recommends starting at 18 mo., which is what
we have done.
Tabitha Weiler Armstrong: I took Adam
when he was 3 and Hannah when she was 2. Adam definitely had a better first
experience.
Shauna Baang: I started taking my
kids between 12-18 months
Braden Hansen: We haven't put Macie
on yet. Babies don't have teeth for a while. I am glad we haven't wasted the
money.
Tamra West: Tristan didn't see a
dentist until he was 3. Gavin started at 2. I would recommend starting at 2.
Tristan is still apprehensive about the dentist at 6.
Sarah Latchaw: Fiona went at 3. She
was fantastic. I have brushed my kids teeth as soon as they start to get them.
Just with water at first and then with the baby toothpaste and then with
regular toothpaste when they can spit. It's a beautiful thing. Jackson knows he
gets his teeth brushed before bath time. He says teeth and then points to his
toothbrush. He's only 16 months old. It's exciting.
Shauna Mosher: This is a good
question. We chose to wait to take Owen to the dentist when he was almost 4.
When I called them they said they do a very light cleaning the first time just
so the kids don't get scared and that they will try and do xrays but even after
waiting till 4 they were still not able to get useful pictures. Owen loved
going to the children's dentist and they are so sweet to kids. He would be fine
going back with no fears. As far as oral care goes, I started with both as soon
as they were born. I rubbed a damp cloth along their gums at night after their
last feeding. I kept using the cloth until they got 4 or so teeth. The earlier
you start the more accustom they become to having their teeth cleaned. Andy
loves brushing his teeth too! I know babies who nurse don't get the flouride in
water that babies who bottle feed get. I really don't know if this makes a
difference but its something to note.
Shauna Mosher: Oh, something else I
forgot about is bottle rot. You probably know about this but I bet this is why
baby dental insurance is what it is. By the time babies get teeth they are
usually sleeping through the night so they don't need a midnight feeding but on
the off chance that they do, its important to clean them then too. And it can
be a really bad idea to give babies juice or milk in their crib for naps or at
night because it rots their teeth like nothing else. I know of a guy who's
daughter had to get caps on her teeth when she was 2 because of that.
