What Age Should My Child First See a Dentist?

What Age Should My Child First See a Dentist?

By the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing — whichever comes first. That's there commendation from the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. We know it sounds early. It's earlier than most parents expect. There are real reasons for it.

Learn about family dentistry for all ages at our Centennial dental office → /services/family-dentistry

Why So Early?

Baby teeth come in around six months on average, and tooth decay can start as soon as teeth are present. Cavities in baby teeth aren't just a baby-teeth problem — they cause pain, affect eating and speech, and can damage the permanent teeth forming underneath. The earlier we see your child, the earlier we can spot risk factors and head off problems before they hurt.

The first visit also gets your child comfortable with a dental office before there's anything urgent going on. Kids who start dental visits as toddlers tend to be more relaxed patients as they get older.

What the First Visit Looks Like

Honestly? It's short. For a one-year-old, we're talking maybe 15 to 20 minutes. Here's roughly what happens:

•      A quick look in the mouth — teeth, gums, the way they're coming in. Often the child sits on a parent's lap.

•      A gentle cleaning if there are enough teeth to clean. Often it's a soft brush, no fancy tools.

•      A short conversation with the parent about brushing, feeding, fluoride, and bottle habits.

•      Time to answer your questions — pacifiers, thumb sucking, what to do about teething, the whole list.

No drills. No X-rays usually. No pressure on the child. The goal of visit one is to gather information and to make sure your child sees the dentist's office as a friendly place.

What We're Looking For

•      Early cavities, often on the front baby teeth.

•      Signs of bottle decay or nighttime nursing decay.

•      Tooth eruption pattern — are teeth coming in on schedule?

•      Bite alignment and any habits that might affect it (extended pacifier or thumb sucking).

•      Frenum issues that affect feeding or speech.

Before the Visit: A Few Things That Help

1.   Schedule for a happy time of day. Mornings, after a nap and a meal, generally beat late afternoons.

2.   Talk it up positively, but lightly. Avoid words like "shot," "hurt," "drill," or "don't be scared." Kids hear the loaded words even when you're reassuring them about the opposite.

3.   Bring a comfort item. A favorite blanket or stuffed animal is welcome.

4.   Plan to be in the room. For the first visit, parent and child stay together. That's by design.

FAQ

What if my child cries the whole time?

Completely normal. One-year-olds cry at lots of unfamiliar things. We move quickly, keep it gentle, and a brief upset doesn't mean future visits will be the same. By the third or fourth checkup, most kids settle in.

Do I need a pediatric dentist or can a family dentist see my child?

Either can work. Family dentists are trained to see kids; pediatric dentists specialize in only kids. For typical first visits and routine care, a family dentist is a fine choice. For children with significant anxiety, special healthcare needs, or complex situations, a pediatric specialist may be the better fit. We're happy to refer when it's the right call.

How often after the first visit?

Generally every six months, the same as adults — unless we identify a higher cavity risk, in which case more often.

Ready for Your Child's First Visit?

Call (303) 790-9323 to schedule.

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About the Authors

Drs. Bart & James Christiansen, DDS are brothers practicing in Centennial, CO. Bart has been practicing since 1988 and James since 2009. They offer general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry for the whole family.