The first dental visit: by the first birthday
An early, happy visit sets a child's risk level and builds trust long before anything hurts.
Pediatric dental guidelines recommend the first visit when the first tooth appears, and no later than the first birthday. Many families wait until something hurts. That makes the first visit a frightening one.
What happens at a first visit
- A quick, knee-to-knee look at the teeth and gums.
- A chat about feeding, bedtime habits, toothpaste and thumb or dummy use.
- A cavity-risk assessment, and fluoride varnish if it would help.
Making it a good day
Talk about the dentist as someone who "counts teeth" and helps keep them strong. Book a time when your child is usually rested and fed. Avoid words like "hurt" or "needle" - the dentist has kinder ones.
Make brushing predictable at home
A brushing calendar, a 2-minute spell timer, streaks and awards for kids — free, no sign-up.
General information for healthy children. It does not replace an examination by a dentist.