We actually took ours earlier, around 12 months, mostly because our pediatrician recommended it. Honestly, I was skeptical at first—like, what could they possibly do with a baby who barely has teeth? But it turned out to be pretty helpful. The dentist gave us some great tips on brushing techniques and spotting early signs of issues. Plus, it got our daughter used to the idea of someone poking around her mouth early on, so now at 2 years old, she's totally comfortable with dental visits.
I get that waiting can seem easier (and cheaper!), but starting earlier might save some stress down the road. Every kid is different though, and it's great your little one had such a chill experience!
I'm glad you brought this up—12 months is actually spot-on for a first visit. Even without many teeth, it's helpful to check gums and jaw development. Plus, like you said, it makes future visits way less intimidating...trust me, dentists appreciate calm toddlers too, haha.
"Even without many teeth, it's helpful to check gums and jaw development."
I get your point, and it does make sense from a developmental perspective. But honestly, as someone trying to keep expenses down, I'm wondering if it's really necessary at 12 months if there aren't obvious issues? My niece didn't go until she was almost two, and she handled it just fine. Maybe a bit fussier, sure, but nothing major. Curious if others have had similar experiences...
I totally get wanting to save money, dental visits aren't exactly cheap. But honestly, I took my little guy around 14 months even though he barely had any teeth—mostly gums and drool at that point, lol. Turns out it wasn't a waste; the dentist spotted some early signs of crowding we wouldn't have noticed. Nothing major, but good to know ahead of time. Plus, it was hilarious seeing him try to bite the dentist's finger... worth every penny just for that memory alone.
That's interesting you mention crowding at such an early age—I see that a lot at work, and it's definitely helpful to catch it early. But honestly, I sometimes wonder if parents feel overwhelmed getting dental advice so soon, especially when their little ones barely have teeth yet. Did your dentist suggest any specific follow-up or just a wait-and-see approach? I always feel a bit anxious about overloading parents with too much info too early... but then again, better safe than sorry, right? Curious if anyone else had similar experiences with early visits spotting issues or if it mostly felt like a routine check-up.
