At what age should I schedule my child’s first dental visit? What can I expect on the first dentist visit? How do I prepare my child to make visiting the dentist a positive experience? How do I choose a pediatric dentist? It’s never too early to be thinking about your child’s dental health, so if you’ve asked yourself any of these questions, Shapiro Family Dentist has the answers!

What Age Should a Child First Visit The Dentist?

Not sure when to schedule your baby’s first dental visit? You’re not alone!

More than half of parents (55%) did not get their information about when to start dentist visits from their child’s doctor or dentist. Of these parents, 17% believed that children should delay their first dentist visit until four years or older. As you’ll read below, this is not recommended by pediatric dentists, as delaying a baby’s first dental visit can lead to early tooth decay and further complications as they age.

According to the latest guidelines from the American Dental Association (ADA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), a baby’s first dentist visit should be within 6 months of his or her first tooth emerging. And definitely before their first birthday-whichever comes first.

What Is The Significance of a Child’s First Dental Visit?

The first dentist visit is an opportunity to identify early issues with a child’s gums and overall oral health. It’s also a chance for parents to learn how to care for their child’s mouth before they are able to do it themselves.

Visiting the dentist early will benefit your baby’s gum health and overall oral health by helping to identify and prevent issues with spacing, the gums, or the alignment of your child’s teeth. This will ensure that their primary teeth stay in place until they fall out naturally and that their bite develops correctly.

What Can I Expect at My Baby’s First Dental Visit?

Consider the first dental visit another “well baby checkup” for teeth— a forum to ask questions and learn how to properly care for your child’s mouth and set them up for lifelong oral health. It’s as much for the parents as it is for the children!

During your child’s first dentist appointment, the doctor will take a tooth count and do a basic exam of your child’s gums, lips, inside of cheeks, and tongue to establish a baseline for monitoring jaw and tooth development.

Your baby’s dentist will talk about teething and ask about your family’s dental history, your child’s oral hygiene, pacifier use, feeding and sleeping habits. And of course, you’ll have the chance to ask your own questions about teething, thumb-sucking, tooth-friendly foods and anything else that pertains to your toddler’s oral health.

How Do I Prepare My Baby For The First Dentist Appointment?

Kids are incredibly intuitive, so your approach to introducing the dentist has a lot to do with how they will perceive it! To help make sure their first dental visit is a positive experience, tell them about their appointment with enthusiasm. Avoid any reference to negative or scary words such as “pain”, “needles”, etc.

Here are a few ideas on how to prepare your baby to make visiting the dentist a positive experience:

• Show them cartoons and/or read them books about visiting the dentist
• Encourage them to “play dentist” with a toy or doll—opening wide, looking inside and cleaning their teeth
• Use positive language and a happy tone of voice when talking about the dentist
• Stay relaxed and DO NOT project your fears by saying things like “don’t worry.” (Would you say “don’t worry” about going to an amusement park or Grandma’s?)
• When possible, take a bike ride or make a quick trip to the playground before your appointment to help burn excess energy and minimize the fidgets.
• Bring a favorite toy or doll to keep them occupied and provide comfort
• Plan a reward to look forward to after the dentist visit
• Never underestimate the power of being their cheerleader. Saying things like “Good job staying still!” and “you’re so strong!” have a huge impact on their experience and can be the difference between cooperation or a meltdown.

How Often Should Children See a Pediatric Dentist?

After your child’s first dental visit, they should continue a regular schedule of dental checkups every six months or twice a year. These visits ensure your child’s teeth are developing properly and allow the pediatric dentist to catch any problems before they potentially turn into more complicated issues as they age.

How Do I Choose a Pediatric Dentist For My Child?

Many parents take their child to their own dentist for their first visit. While that’s often a good choice, there’s an argument for taking them to a pediatric dentist who specializes in childrens’ oral health. Luckily, Shapiro Family Dentistry has specialists in both areas!

Shapiro Family Dentistry has pediatric dentists, like Dr. Christina Smith, DDS, with decades of experience caring for children’s oral health. We pride ourselves on leveraging their natural curiosity during their exam to instill a love for visiting the dentist from a very young age. Learn more about our Pediatric Dentistry or make an appointment at our West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, or Ft Pierce offices!