Your Child's First Dental Visit: When To Start, What To Expect, and When Teeth Come and Go

When should a child first see a dentist?

The first visit should happen soon after the first tooth appears, and no later than the first birthday. The ADA says to schedule the first visit any time after the primary teeth break through, but no later than the first birthday. The AAP gives a similar rule: see a dentist by the first birthday or within six months of the first tooth.

The ADA calls this first visit a “well-baby checkup” for your child’s teeth. Nothing needs to be wrong. The point is to look at the teeth and gums, answer your questions, and set up a routine.

Starting early also helps you set up a dental home, a regular place to go for dental care. Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases in the United States, according to the AAP. A first visit by age one gives your dentist a chance to spot early signs and help you plan around them.

What happens at a baby’s or toddler’s first visit?

The visit is short and mostly talk. Expect questions, a gentle look in the mouth, and advice. The ADA says that besides checking for cavities and other problems, your dentist can offer suggestions for cleaning your child’s teeth and how to handle habits like thumb sucking.

Here is what many families can expect:

1. Check-in. You fill out health forms. New patients can read about how to get started on our new patient page.
2. A talk. The team asks about feeding, brushing, any bottle or pacifier use, and health history.
3. A look. The dentist checks the teeth, gums and bite. A very young child often sits on a parent’s lap.
4. Advice. You hear how to clean your child’s teeth and what toothpaste to use.
5. A plan. The AAP says the dentist can determine the frequency of future check-ups.

The first visit does not always include a cleaning or X-rays. Whether it does depends on your child’s age, teeth and comfort. Your dentist will talk with you about what to expect.

If you are unsure what your child needs, ask when you book. The team can tell you how long to plan for, whether to bring anything, and whether a parent can stay with the child the whole time. A few minutes of planning on the phone can make the visit easier for everyone.

How can you prepare your child?

Keep it calm and simple. You do not need to explain every step to a baby. For older toddlers and children, a few plain words help.

• Choose a time when your child is rested and fed.
• Say it is a visit to count and look at teeth. Avoid words like “shot” or “drill”.
• Do not promise it will not hurt. Say the dentist will be gentle and tell you what is happening.
• Bring a comfort item and a list of questions.
• Stay positive and relaxed. Children notice a parent’s worry.
• Bring your child’s health information, a list of medicines, and any questions about thumb sucking, pacifiers or teething.

If you feel nervous yourself, try not to show it. Our guide on dental anxiety is written for adults, but some of the ideas help parents too.

When do baby teeth come in, and when do they fall out?

Baby teeth begin to appear around 6 months and are mostly in by age 3. The ADA says babies are born with all 20 primary teeth already in their jaws, the first teeth usually break through around 6 months of age, and most of the rest appear by age 3. The AAP adds that tiny teeth can appear as early as 3 months. Every child is different, so a little early or late is common.

Here is a simple timeline from the ADA and AAP.

The ADA publishes a full-mouth chart with the usual order for each tooth. Ask your dentist about the order for your child. If a tooth is very late or very early, mention it at the next visit.

What if your child cries or will not open wide?

That is common and the team expects it. A first visit is about getting used to the place. The dentist can often check a young child’s mouth with the child in a parent’s lap, and may go slowly.

You can help in simple ways. Stay close, speak calmly, and let the team lead. Do not bribe or threaten. Praise your child for small steps, such as sitting in the chair. If your child is upset, it is fine to pause, take a break, and try again. Some visits end after a quick look, and that is a good start.

If your child has special health care needs or a past scary medical visit, tell the office before the appointment. The team can plan more time and a gentler pace.

What should you bring to the first visit?

A short list keeps the visit smooth.

Do pacifiers and thumb sucking matter?

They can. The ADA says your dentist can help you handle habits like thumb sucking, which can cause teeth to move out of position. Bring it up at the first visit. The dentist can look at your child’s bite and talk with you about what, if anything, to do and when.

Many children stop on their own as they grow. Your dentist will talk with you about whether your child’s habit needs a plan. Avoid shaming a child about it, since that can make the habit harder to break.

What questions should you ask at the first visit?

Good questions help you plan at home. Try these:

1. Do my child’s teeth and gums look healthy?
2. How should I clean my child’s teeth, and what toothpaste should I use?
3. How often should my child come back?
4. Does my child’s bite look typical for this age?
5. Do you see signs of cavities or risks for them?
6. When should we talk about sealants or fluoride varnish?
7. What should I do if my child falls and hurts a tooth?
8. How will fees and insurance work? The practice gives each patient their own estimate.

Write the answers down so you can share them with the other adult who cares for your child.

How do you care for a baby’s teeth and gums at home?

Start before the first tooth. The ADA says to wipe the gums with a damp cloth or gauze pad after meals, even before teeth appear. Once teeth come in, brush them gently twice a day with a small, soft-bristled brush and a little fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice.

Other steps from the ADA:

• When two teeth touch, use a strand of floss between them.
• Between ages 3 and 6, teach your child to brush and floss, and supervise so they reach all sides.
• Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for ages 3 to 6.

Our guide on kids’ cavities, fluoride and sealants covers fluoride and cavity prevention in more detail.

What helps with teething pain?

Gentle pressure often helps. The ADA says rubbing the gums with a clean finger, a chilled spoon or a moist gauze pad can be soothing. A clean teether made of solid rubber is another option. The ADA advises avoiding liquid-filled rings or plastic teethers that might break or develop sharp edges.

If your child is extra fussy or develops a temperature, rash or diarrhea while teething, the ADA says to contact your doctor. Do not assume that all fussiness is teething.

Why do baby teeth matter if they fall out?

They matter for eating and speaking. The ADA says a child’s teeth are essential for chewing, the first step in healthy digestion, and that primary teeth help children speak clearly. It also says baby teeth lost to cavities can threaten the health of permanent teeth.

The AAP adds that missing baby teeth leave gaps, which can cause nearby teeth to shift. That can keep permanent teeth from coming in correctly. The AAP also says 23% of all kids will get cavities before their fifth birthday. Early visits and daily care help protect those teeth.

What are sealants and fluoride varnish?

These are two ways a dentist can help protect teeth from cavities. The ADA says sealants are a special coating that fills in grooves and pits on the back teeth, and that your dentist may also recommend fluoride varnish as a supplement to the fluoride your child gets from other sources.

Not every child needs them at the same age. Ask your dentist at the visits. Town Center Dental describes its dental sealants service on its own page.

Should my child see a family dentist?

A family practice sees children and adults in one office. Town Center Dental is a family practice, and its dentists, Dr. Jon Copeland and Dr. Stephanie Copeland, are general dentists. The practice says it treats every member of the family, from infants to grandparents.

That can help families who want one place and one schedule. When you call, tell the team your child’s age and any needs, such as a medical condition or past fear. They can plan the visit with you. Read how the practice describes its care on its dentistry for kids page and its family dentistry page.

Next step

Ready to book? Call Town Center Dental at (636) 273-5866, Monday to Thursday, or request an appointment. Tell the team your child’s age and when the first tooth came in. Read the practice’s dentistry for kids page for how it describes its care.