I had my daughter's teeth cleaned when she was 3 years 3 months old....I got a notice from the dentist saying it's time for her checkup. I'm assuming because my husband and I get cleanings 2x a year, this is why. At what age did you start getting your child's teeth cleaned 2x a year? I assume it's covered at 100% but even if not, money is not an issue. Just wondering how common it is to get them cleaned 2x a year from the beginning.
Thanks, mamas!
Thanks moms!! I put in a call to schedule her appt but just wanted to see what others have been doing. As always, appreciate your comments! She is not afraid of the dentist and loves to brush her teeth. She uses the flouride kind (but kids flavored) and is very good about not eating it or putting too much on her toothbrush. Still have to get into a good routine with flossing (myself included!)
I believe twice a year/every 6 months is the standard recommendation from day 1, regardless of age. Most dental insurance plans should cover that.
We visit the dentist every 6 months. We do a Fall Cleaning and a Spring Check Up. If there is anything he needs to do he can catch it at either one.
Our insurance will only pay for cleanings if they are 6 months plus 1 week apart. I don't know why the insurance is silly about that extra week but they are.
If they would pay for the cleaning every 6 months then we would of course go with the cleaning every time.
Our Fall date is always Fall Break and we make a big deal out of it. We go and spend several days in the City and have a large family birthday party for my grand daughter. If we had to make it every 6 months plus 1 week each year it would be different dates, further and further in to Winter months.
Our two girls began dental visits at 15 months and I continued this twice a year from that age going forward. Dental guidelines recommend that kids start seeing the dentist by age one and even if all they do is check on the progression of teeth, without doing full-blown cleanings, it is the right thing to do to maintain good dental health and also start good habits. My children were NEVER afraid of the dentist because we stuck to this schedule and they also have gorgeous and healthy teeth because of it. One of them is currently 17 with no cavities....nothing. Our 14 year old is not so lucky....she has had 2 cavities over the years but they were so superficial that novocaine was never needed to fill either of them. Both of my kids also saw an orthodontist when that became an issue later on and I had two teens in braces. The braces are now off for both of them and they have smiles that are beyond beautiful. Our insurance covers two visits a year as standard procedure and it has been this way ever since my kids turned one. You are doing the right thing with your daughter and she'll thank you for this later....so will your wallet when she doesn't have huge dental issues because she has good dental care and hygiene. You know what they say....an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is so true when it comes to your teeth. Let them go and it will cost you thousands to repair the damage in the end. Good job, Mom.....keep up the dental routine!
My oldest has gone twice a year since he was 2 an my youngest has gone twice a year since 18 month.
I disagree with Mimi. Go twice a year and let your child get used to it.
Tooth health definitely has a genetic componant. So if you have a family history with poor tooth health, then your child might, too.
And especially if money is not an issue, let your child know this is something that is done twice a year for the rest of their lives - period!
I have been taking my daughter 2 x per year since she was 16 months old. She is almost 3 now. At 16 months they didn't really clean her teeth but did an exam and brushed them. That way they had a baseline eval.
2 x per year is the standard recommendation. It is even recommended that once kiddies get their first teeth they go in but that seems a bit excessive to take an under 1 year old in as long as you are brushing his/her teeth.
Also, make sure you are flossing any teeth that touch!
We're going at the end of the month when my son turns four. I THINK they said they were going to ATTEMPT to clean his teeth. Brushing is a fight but he's starting to like it FINALLY. I hope they do clean his teeth, I'm obsessed with healthy teeth. :)
