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Your Child's First Dental Visit: When to Go and What to Expect
Children should see a dentist when their first tooth appears or by their first birthday. Learn what happens at the visit and how to keep baby teeth healthy.
Quick answer
Dental associations recommend a child's first dental visit when the first tooth appears or by the first birthday. The visit is short and gentle: the dentist checks the teeth and gums and gives advice on brushing, diet and fluoride. Brush your child's teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste (a smear for under-3s, a pea-sized amount for ages 3 to 6) and limit sugary snacks and drinks.
In this article
Tooth decay is one of the most common long-term conditions in children worldwide, and it is almost entirely preventable. Starting dental visits early makes them routine and stress-free.
When should the first visit be?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association recommend a first visit when the first tooth comes through, or by the first birthday at the latest.
What happens at the visit
- A gentle look at your child's teeth, gums and bite, often with your child sitting on your lap
- Advice on brushing and fluoride
- Advice on diet, bottles and night feeds
- Answers to your questions about teething and thumb-sucking
Brushing your child's teeth
| Age | Toothpaste amount |
|---|---|
| Under 3 years | A smear (the size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste |
| 3 to 6 years | A pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste |
- Brush twice a day, including last thing at night.
- Help or supervise brushing until about age 7 or 8.
- Encourage spitting out after brushing, not rinsing.
Preventing tooth decay
- Don't put babies to bed with a bottle of milk or juice.
- Offer water between meals, and avoid juice and sweetened drinks.
- Keep sweets and sugary snacks to mealtimes.
- Move from a bottle to a cup around the first birthday.
- Bring your child for regular check-ups.
Making visits positive
- Talk about the dentist in a calm, positive way.
- Avoid words like "hurt" or "pain".
- Book a time when your child is usually rested.
Frequently asked questions
Do baby teeth really matter if they fall out?
Yes. Baby teeth help children eat and speak, hold space for adult teeth, and decay in them can cause pain and infection.
My child grinds their teeth at night. Should I worry?
Grinding is common in young children and often stops as they grow. Mention it at the check-up.
