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What age should I take my child to have their first dental check-up?


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  • We were advised that early is better; our sons first dentist visit was at 10months old just to ensure that what teeth he did have growing was growing appropriately and check the other structures in the mouth/jaw. it was only a very quick visit, it also gets them used to the dentist and not a scary place. We go every 6 months now to get them looked over :)


  • My daughter was around five years of age.


  • I had mine checked every half year starting before they turned one and 2 of mine didn’t even have teeth at that age.


  • To get them used to the dentist and learn they are not to be feared, I took mine for the first time at around 12 months.


  • I took all my four children to the dentist for the first time when they started Kinder, also took them to the eye specialist just before they started school.


  • my daughter was 6 for her first check up just to get a feel. my son was 6 as well. he was complaining about a tooth turned out to be a tooth decay. young boy I know but it was caused by soy milk as I don’t allow him soft, drinks cordial, only has sweets at a party which he rarely gets invited to.


  • I think my daughter was around four or five years of age when I first took her to the dentist.


  • I think there is a government dental program for kids under the age of 5 years – it’s a free check up. Otherwise, if there’s no issues maybe 3-4 years? It’s good to get them used to going to the dentist and not scared of them.


  • it really is up to you but around 2 or so.


  • I was curious myself so I call Griffith University Dental on the Gold Coast and they suggested between 3 or 4 unless you have concerns.

    You might want to call your dentist to see what they recommend…


  • I took my daughter at 9 months as she grew her eye teeth before her top front teeth (she looked like a hippo and I thought she would have a massive gap). My grandson is 16 months and is going next week as his back molars are through before the front ones.
    Very re-assuring after the dentist visit with my little one


  • I’ve been told 2, but I think it depends on how comfortable your kid is with opening his mouth for a check up.


  • We shared stories about ‘going to the dentist’ as part of story time around 2 years. This was when our oldest had a first experience in the dentist chair while accompanying us for our regular check up/clean. The best advice I can give is – keep your comments about the visit positive and mundane/matter of fact- it’s just part of life.


  • We have been told 2+ from our dentist. We take our son to all our cleans every 6 months so he is familiar with the place. However when we took him at 2, he wouldn’t open his mouth. So we will try when he is 3! :)


  • I worked for a Paediatric dentist for about 7 years. If your child has teeth they need to be cleaned. Some early tips are; wipe teeth with a wash cloth during their bath time, give chewable rubber baby toothbrushes for them to play with during bath time (this allows familiarisation of a brush in their mouth). Children should always accompany parents to the dentist for checkups but not treatment. Most dentists will engage with the children as in rides in the chair, toothbrushes, a look in the mouth with a mirror etc. As with any new experience allow the child to take a special toy with them for comfort. If any early intervention is required it is worthwhile consulting a specialist paediatric dentist otherwise most states have therapists whose job it is to treat children and have been specially trained. Teeth are like feet; they are used constantly for our whole lives and deserve special care. Also be careful of sweetened sticky type foods and drinks. Sugar is your enemy!


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