Your child’s first dental visit is an important introduction to dental care. Bringing an infant or toddler to the dentist early can help reduce anxiety and apprehension while giving them a chance to become familiar with the dental environment. It also begins the process of establishing a dental home and building a positive approach to dental care that can continue as your child grows.
A comfortable first experience can also help make future appointments feel more familiar. At the same time, the visit gives the dentist an opportunity to look at your child’s teeth, gums, and mouth and identify areas that may need attention.
When Should Your Child Have Their First Dental Visit?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association recommend that a baby have their first dental visit sometime between the eruption of their first tooth and their first birthday.
That may seem early to some parents. Many adults did not make their own first trip to the dentist until they started school at around five or six years old. However, beginning dental care earlier allows a prevention-based approach to start much sooner.
Why Is the First Dental Visit So Important?
Helping Your Child Feel Comfortable at the Dentist
A first dental visit can feel daunting for a young child and for their parents. Introducing your child to the dentist in a comfortable, positive environment can help reduce anxiety and lower apprehension about future visits.
Becoming familiar with the dental office and the experience of seeing a dentist can make later appointments feel more comfortable. A pleasant introduction also helps begin a positive relationship between your child and their dentist.
Starting a Strong Foundation for Dental Health
An early dental visit helps establish a foundation for your child’s dental health and hygiene. During the visit, the dentist can assess your child’s teeth, gums, and mouth for potential concerns that may need attention.
Early visits also give your child an opportunity to become accustomed to the dental environment. Positive experiences at an early age can support good oral-health habits as your child grows and into adulthood.
Why Early Prevention Matters
Dental decay requires a prevention-based strategy, and beginning that strategy early is important.
In 2018, the National Center for Health Statistics, a CDC agency, reported that an average of 18% of children ages 2 to 5 had experienced dental decay. The National Institutes of Health was also cited in the original article as reporting prevalence as high as 85% in credible studies.
These figures reinforce the original article’s emphasis on beginning a prevention-focused approach early in a child’s life.
What Happens at Your Child’s First Dental Visit?
A baby’s first dental appointment includes several steps designed to clean and examine the teeth and gums.
- Plaque removal: A dental hygienist or dentist removes plaque using a soft toothbrush or rubber cup with paste appropriate for your child.
- Tartar removal: Hard deposits, or tartar, are removed using a dental instrument appropriate for pediatric patients.
- Fluoride application: Professional-strength fluoride is safely applied to help strengthen the enamel.
- Dental examination: The dentist examines your child’s teeth and gums for areas of concern.
- Treatment planning: If necessary, a treatment plan is created based on what the dentist finds.
The examination also gives the dental team an opportunity to identify potential concerns involving your child’s teeth, gums, and mouth.
Questions and Topics Parents Can Discuss
The first visit also gives parents an opportunity to talk with the dental team about their child’s dental care. Topics may include:
- Caring for your child’s teeth at home
- Bottles and sippy cups at bedtime
- Pacifier use
- Questions or concerns you have about your child’s dental care
Parents’ questions are welcomed and encouraged during the appointment.
How a Positive First Visit Can Help With Future Dental Care
A positive first appointment can help your child become more familiar with going to the dentist and more comfortable with future visits. Creating a pleasant experience early can also help build a positive relationship between your child and their dentist.
Over time, that familiarity can contribute to positive patient experiences and support good oral-health habits into adulthood.
Taking the First Step Toward a Dental Home
Pediatric dental offices are experienced with first-time baby visits and can help support a child’s dental health as they grow toward adulthood.
Parents can use recommendations from friends and family or search online to find a dental home that feels like a good fit for their baby and family. Establishing that relationship early can help begin a positive approach to dental care from the start.
