Your Child’s First Dental Visit: When to Go and What to Expect

Why do dentists recommend such an early first visit?

An early visit is about prevention, not treatment. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends setting up a dental home within six months of the first tooth so a dentist can check your child’s risk for cavities and give you guidance early.

The major health groups are on the same page. The ADA’s MouthHealthy site says the first visit should come after the first tooth appears and no later than the first birthday, and CDC advises a visit by your baby’s first birthday to spot signs of problems early.

If your child is older and hasn’t been yet, don’t worry. The AAPD’s message to parents is that it’s never too late. Golden Triangle Dentistry has cared for Murrieta families since 1991, and our children’s dentistry page explains how we care for kids.

What happens at a baby’s first dental visit?

The dentist checks that your child’s teeth, jaw, bite and gums are developing the way they should, and looks for early signs of decay. According to the ADA, you’ll likely sit in the dental chair with your child on your lap.

Much of the visit is for you. The AAPD says parents learn how to clean their baby’s teeth and talk about tooth development, teething, fluoride, diet, and how thumb-sucking or pacifiers can affect the mouth.

Parents are welcome to stay with their child during visits at our office. Our team can also talk with you about dietary habits and fluoride, and check habits like thumb or pacifier sucking as your child grows. Visiting with a list of questions helps you get the most from the time.

How do I prepare my toddler for the dentist?

Keep it simple and positive. The AAPD suggests answering your child’s questions in an upbeat way and being careful about using scary words.

A few ideas from the AAPD can help a toddler feel more in control:

• Read a story together about a character who has a good dental visit.
• Offer small choices, like which color toothbrush to pick.
• Let the dentist do most of the talking during the exam, and save your questions for afterward.
• Want your child to see the office before the visit? Call us and ask our team.

What happens at dental visits as my child grows?

Visits change as teeth come in. The AAPD recommends a checkup every six months, though your child’s dentist may suggest a different schedule based on their needs. Here’s what parents can expect at each stage:

• First tooth to age 1. A first exam, tips on cleaning gums and new teeth, and a talk about bottles and feeding. CDC suggests asking about fluoride varnish as soon as the first tooth appears.
• Ages 1 to 3. Regular checkups as more teeth arrive. This is the stage to use a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste and to start cleaning between teeth once two teeth touch.
• Ages 3 to 6. Toothpaste moves up to a pea-sized amount. The AAPD says a child still sucking a thumb or fingers past age three may benefit from a dentist’s help.
• School age. CDC recommends asking your child’s dentist about sealants when appropriate. The AAPD explains that sealants fill in the grooves on the chewing surfaces of teeth.
• Age 7. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7, when enough permanent teeth are in to spot bite problems early. Learn more about braces and clear aligners.

How can parents protect baby teeth at home?

Start before the first tooth. CDC suggests wiping your baby’s gums twice a day with a soft, clean cloth, in the morning after the first feeding and right before bed. Once teeth come in, brush twice a day with a soft, small toothbrush.

Use the right amount of toothpaste. The ADA recommends a smear of fluoride toothpaste no bigger than a grain of rice for children under 3, and a pea-sized amount for ages 3 to 6. CDC suggests talking with your child’s doctor or dentist about fluoride toothpaste before age 2.

• Watch your child brush until about age 6, so they use the right amount and spit it out, as CDC advises.
• Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle. The AAPD says the bedtime bottle should hold nothing but water.
• Skip juice for babies under 12 months, and for ages 1 to 3, the AAPD suggests no more than 4 ounces of 100% juice a day.
• Never dip a pacifier in sugar, honey or juice. The ADA warns this can lead to tooth decay.
• Offer fluoridated tap water, which CDC recommends for children.

Do baby teeth really matter if they fall out anyway?

Yes. The AAPD explains that baby teeth help children speak clearly and chew naturally, and they help guide permanent teeth into their proper places.

Baby teeth can get cavities, too. The ADA notes that baby bottle tooth decay most often affects the upper front teeth, and that decay can start when cavity-causing bacteria pass from a parent’s or caregiver’s saliva to the baby.

That’s why early checkups, good brushing habits and smart drinks add up. Your child’s dentist may also recommend fluoride treatments or sealants to help protect their teeth.

What should I do if my child hurts a tooth?

Stay calm, control any bleeding and call a dentist right away. MedlinePlus advises applying direct pressure with gauze to control bleeding.

If a permanent tooth is knocked out, hold it by the crown, not the root, and bring it to a dentist as soon as possible. Keep it moist in cow’s milk or saliva. Baby teeth are not put back in, according to MedlinePlus. Call us so a dentist can check the area.

Our emergency dental care page and our guide to a broken or chipped tooth explain more.

Questions & answers

Common questions