"Regarding fluoride treatments, it's common practice to delay them until the child can reliably spit out excess fluoride toothpaste, usually closer to age two or three."
This is spot on, but I think there's a bit more nuance here that's worth mentioning. While it's true that fluoride treatments often wait until kids can spit effectively, some pediatric dentists might suggest an earlier fluoride varnish application even before that milestone. It's a controlled, professionally-applied dose that hardens quickly, minimizing any swallowing concerns. I've seen this recommended particularly in areas where tap water isn't fluoridated or if there's a family history of early cavities.
We took our daughter for her first dental visit around 13 months, and honestly, I was skeptical at first—after all, she barely had teeth! But looking back, it was really helpful. The dentist didn't do much beyond a quick check and answering our endless questions (poor guy probably regretted asking if we had any!). Still, it made a huge difference down the line; by the time she was two or three, visiting the dentist felt routine rather than scary.
One thing I'd gently point out is that comfort with dental visits doesn't always come just from early exposure alone. The dentist's personality, the office environment, and even how parents talk about dental visits at home can all play a big part. My nephew had early visits too, but his first dentist was a bit... let's say "less than kid-friendly." Switching dentists turned things around completely for him.
So yeah, early visits are definitely beneficial, but they're just one piece of the puzzle. And as always, mileage may vary depending on your child's temperament and your dentist's approach.
You're making a really good point about the dentist's personality and office environment. We had a similar experience—our first dentist was a bit rushed and clinical, but switching to someone warmer and more patient made a huge difference for our little guy's comfort level. Definitely something worth considering...
"switching to someone warmer and more patient made a huge difference for our little guy's comfort level."
Totally agree with this. We took our daughter around her first birthday, and the dentist we initially chose was super professional but kinda distant. She cried through the whole thing, and honestly, it stressed us out too. After that, we found someone who specialized in pediatric dentistry—bright office, toys everywhere, staff who knew exactly how to distract and comfort kids. Night and day difference. Now she actually looks forward to going (mostly for the stickers at the end, lol). Personality and environment really do matter more than you'd think...
Yep, same here. Our first dentist was nice enough but kinda rushed through things—felt more like a check-off-the-list visit than anything else. Decided to switch after our son had a meltdown during his second appointment. The new dentist has cartoons playing on the ceiling and talks to him about superheroes the whole time. Now he barely notices what's happening...it's all about distraction, honestly.
That's reassuring to hear about the cartoons and superhero chats... honestly, distraction sounds like a lifesaver. I'm gearing up for my baby's first dentist visit soon, and I'm already feeling anxious about it. I've read mixed things—some say go as soon as the first tooth pops up, others suggest waiting until they're closer to one year old. Did you find that earlier visits helped your son get comfortable faster, or was it more stressful than helpful at first? Just trying to mentally prepare myself here, haha.
