As soon as your child’s first tooth appears—usually between six months and one year—it’s time to schedule their first visit with a pediatric dentist. This initial appointment typically involves minimal treatment and is mainly an opportunity for your child to become familiar with the dentist, for the dentist to check that the baby teeth are developing properly, and to educate you on how to care for your child’s oral health.

Request an Appointment

Building Comfort

Creating a positive and non-threatening experience is key. Depending on your child’s personality, the dentist may invite you to sit with your child during the exam or ask you to wait in the reception area for part of the visit. The goal is to help your child feel comfortable and build a trusting relationship with the dentist. Some children may be naturally at ease, while others might need more encouragement.

The Examination

During the exam, the pediatric dentist will assess your child’s baby teeth for health and development, checking for cavities, bite alignment, and the condition of gums, jaw, and surrounding tissues. If necessary, the dentist may clean the teeth and evaluate the need for fluoride treatment. You’ll be encouraged to ask questions, and the dentist will provide guidance on proper oral hygiene and what dental milestones to watch for.

Teaching Proper Oral Hygiene

A big focus of the first appointment is educating parents on caring for their child’s teeth, with advice tailored as your child grows. Helpful tips often include:

  • Recognizing signs of teething, which signal that baby teeth are erupting.
  • Ensuring proper nutrition to support healthy teeth.
  • Brushing twice daily with a rice-grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, especially after eating or drinking.
  • Teaching your child to spit out excess toothpaste after brushing.
  • Avoiding putting your child to bed with a bottle to prevent cavities.
  • Increasing fluoride toothpaste to a pea-sized amount after age three.
  • Watching for harmful oral habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or lip smacking.
  • Applying toothpaste to your child’s toothbrush until they are six years old.
  • Helping and supervising brushing until your child is seven or eight.
  • Scheduling dental checkups every six months to build your child’s comfort with dental visits, track tooth development, and address any oral health issues early.

This early care sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.