Your Child's First Dental Visit

Your baby should see a dentist by their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth coming in, whichever comes first. At the first visit, Dr. Bryan gently looks at your child's teeth and gums while your child sits on your lap, and we spend much of the visit answering your questions about brushing, toothpaste, bottles, and habits. Think of it as a friendly introduction for your child and a chance for you to get answers.

When should my baby first see the dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends a first dental visit when the first tooth comes in and no later than 12 months of age. Many babies get their first tooth around six months, so the first visit often happens somewhere between six and twelve months.

A tooth is most likely to get a cavity soon after it comes in, so early visits help us spot problems while they're small, and help your child get comfortable with us long before they need any treatment. If you see white or brown spots on your baby's teeth, please don't wait for the first birthday. Learn more on our infant dental care page.

What happens at the first visit

We call a baby's first appointment a "happy visit": your child meets Dr. Bryan and our team, we check that teeth and gums are healthy, and you leave with a clear plan for care at home.

4. Your questions, answered

We'll show you how to brush and floss and talk through the topics parents ask about most:

• Brushing: how to brush a baby's or toddler's teeth, and when to start flossing (once two teeth touch).
• Toothpaste amount: a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste under age 3, and a pea-sized amount from about age 3.
• Bottles and sippy cups: why it helps not to put your child to bed with a bottle of milk or juice, and when to move to a cup.
• Pacifiers and thumb sucking: what's normal and when to start thinking about stopping. Our blog post on pacifier use and dental development has more.
• Teething: how to soothe sore gums. See how to help teething babies.

Before you leave, Dr. Bryan will explain what he saw, share any recommendations, and talk with you about when to come back.

How to prepare your toddler

Babies need little preparation, but toddlers do better when they know a bit about what's coming:

• Keep it simple and positive. A day or two before, mention that Dr. Bryan is going to count their teeth and make sure they're healthy.
• Practice at home. Take turns "counting teeth" with a toothbrush, or let your child check a stuffed animal's teeth. Picture books about visiting the dentist help too.
• Pick a good time. If you can, choose an appointment when your child is usually rested and fed, not right at nap time.
• Bring comfort from home. A favorite blanket or stuffed animal can help some children feel secure.
• Stay calm yourself. Children pick up on how parents feel, so keep your words and tone relaxed and upbeat.

Our post on helping children who are afraid of the dentist has more tips.

What to say, and what not to say

You don't need to explain everything. Our team uses kid-friendly words such as "sleepy juice" and "whistle," and Dr. Bryan uses Tell-Show-Do: he names an instrument, shows your child what it does, and then uses it, so nothing is a surprise. Our glossary of kid-friendly dental terms has words you can use at home.

How often after the first visit?

Most children come back for a checkup and cleaning every six months, though Dr. Bryan may suggest a different schedule if your child needs extra help preventing cavities. Regular visits let us watch your child's teeth and jaws grow and catch small problems early. Your child sees Dr. Bryan every time, so he gets to know your child as they grow. Our toddler dental care page covers what comes next.

First Dental Visit FAQs