Baby Dental Coverage?!?

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.