Starting children on the road to a lifetime of good oral health includes taking them to their first dentist appointment by the age of 1 or 6 months after their first tooth appears. While this may seem overwhelming, we will walk you through why you should see a dentist when they're this young and what you can expect while there.
Right now, most American children don’t visit the dentist until they are 3 or 4 years old - that’s 2 to 3 years too late! Cavities can begin developing as soon as that first tooth appears, which for some children can be as early as 6 months old. Can you imagine having a cavity before you can walk or talk?
Even though the first visit is quick and gentle, it plays a big role in setting healthy patterns early. It helps your dentist spot issues before they become bigger problems, ensures baby teeth are developing normally, and gives parents the tools to care for little teeth with confidence.
The dentist will start by examining your little one's teeth, jaws and oral tissues to assess their overall growth and development. They will be looking for any cavities, gum issues or mouth injuries. Once the exam is complete, the dentist may clean your child's teeth with a soft toothbrush and recommend a fluoride treatment. This will ultimately depend on your child's age and risk for tooth decay.
A helpful part of the first visit will be when they explain and demonstrate different brushing and flossing techniques to help care for your baby's teeth. Your dentist can also provide recommendations on the use of fluoride as well as feeding and snacking practices to keep your child's smile healthy. This is also a great time for caregivers to ask questions and get useful tips on teething, diet and other oral hygiene instructions, as well as information on preventing cavities, accidents and tooth trauma.
At your first visit, be sure to share relevant information about your child with your dentist. This may include medical conditions, medications and any other oral problems they’ve experienced.
Most first appointments last around 30 minutes. This includes time for the exam, a discussion with your dentist, and a quick cleaning or fluoride application if it's needed.
If everything looks good, most children will return every six months for routine checkups and cleanings. If your dentist spots early signs of decay or developmental concerns, they may recommend a follow-up sooner.
Try not to wash their pacifier or binky with your own mouth — use clean water instead.
Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears in the mouth.
Use a tiny rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste from the time the first tooth comes in until age 3.
From the ages of 3 to 6, use a small pea-sized amount.
Once they have two or more teeth that touch, it’s time to start flossing.
Try a teething ring, cool spoon, pacifier or cold washcloth to ease the pain in their gums.
Get your child to stop using a pacifier or sucking their thumb before age 3 to keep baby teeth in the proper position.
For infants and toddlers, you can choose either a pediatric dentist, who specializes in children’s oral care, or a general dentist who treats patients of all ages. Pediatric practices often offer a kid-centered environment that may help calm nerves, while general dentists may be more accessible depending on where you live. Both can provide excellent care, so pick the provider that feels right for your family. When using Delta Dental's dentist finder you can search for a pediatric dentist but using the drop down under "specialty" and selecting "pediatric."
Many dental plans cover routine checkups and cleanings at 100%, so it can be beneficial to get your child on your plan right away. Delta Dental also makes it easy to find a dentist using our dentist finder at deltadental.com, which allows you to search by your location, plan type and dentist specialty.