When Should My Child Have Their First Dental Appointment?

Although it is never too late to get your child’s smile evaluated, you might find yourself surprised by the recommended age a child should go to their first dental appointment. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), it is recommended that children have their first dental visit six months after their first tooth erupts or by age one. This might seem very young but there are several reasons why these early appointments are very important and why every parent should know them.

Why Should Children See Their Dentist by Age One?

People are sometimes under the misconception those baby teeth will just fall out on their own, so visits to the dentist are not very important. However, this cannot be further from the truth. Baby teeth serve several essential functions, including saving space for permanent teeth to properly come in, allowing for speaking and chewing, helping in dental and facial development, and giving children confidence when smiling. Caring for the primary teeth once they erupt is important, which is part of the reason for AAPD’s recommendation.

During the dental checkup of a child, the dentist will loo kat how their teeth are erupting and ensure that everything is on track with the development. They will also check on the health of the teeth and gums, carefully keeping an eye out for possible cavity formation. When issues are detected early on, treatments are easier, less invasive, and even less costly.

Your kid will also get a professional cleaning, which effectively removes hardened plaque that cannot be removed with regular tooth brushing. Dentists can also offer preventative treatments, like dental sealants and fluoride treatments for school-aged children. Data show that about 20 percent of children aged 5 to 11 have at least one untreated decayed tooth. This makes any preventative measure all the more crucial. Also, the dentist can teach you how to develop a home care routine to ensure that prevention starts at home.

Visiting a General Dentist vs. Pediatric Dentist

Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of the dental realm. These professionals have gone through additional training after dental school where they learned how to take care of children during the different stages of childhood. They have acquired the necessary knowledge and experience to address the various health needs of children. At the same time, they also understand child psychology so they can use behavioral techniques to make sure that they give the necessary care.

What to Expect in a Child’s First Dental Appointment

What happens during a kid’s first dental visit will vary on their age and reason for the visit. Pediatric dentists usually go at the pace of the child and use it as a guide throughout the appointment. Younger children who are coming in for a check-up for the first time will usually experience the same process:

The parent will check in with the dental staff. The child can read a book or play with toys in the reception area while waiting for their turn.
The child will go to the treatment area. If needed, they will be subjected to a low-dose, x-ray machine that is assured to be quick and comfortable.
When the child is at ease, the dentist will count their teeth and do gentle cleaning if needed. At this point, the dentist can educate the parent on how to better take care of their child’s teeth.
For older children, the appointment is finished with a fluoride treatment. The dentist will wrap up the appointment and can finish them off with a treat or two.

Early dental appointments also introduce children to a dental professional, allowing them to get familiar with the sights and sounds of the office, get comfortable with the process, and even develop rapport with the dentist and the rest of the staff. This can go a long way in helping children establish a good relationship with regular dentist visits in the future until they grow up to become adults.