Your Child's First Dental Visit: When to Go and What to Expect
A first trip to the dentist is easy to leave for later, especially when nothing seems wrong. What usually settles it is knowing when the visit should happen and what takes place once you are there.
When to go
A child's first dental visit should take place after that first tooth appears, but no later than the first birthday (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry). That's because as soon as a baby has teeth, he or she can get cavities (American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)).
How to prepare
It can help to talk to your child about what is going to happen, and to be positive. When you make the appointment, consider asking for any necessary patient forms ahead of time, and making a list of questions as well. It also helps not to schedule during naptime (American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)).
What happens at the visit
The dentist will examine your child to make sure their jaw and teeth are developing in the way they should. The dentist will also check for mouth injuries, cavities or other issues (American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)).
Related reading
Daily care at home between visits is the subject of a separate article on dental habits for kids by age. If you are weighing a pediatric dentist or family dentist, that question is covered separately too.
Booking a first visit
Our office is at 147 Main St, 2nd Floor, Lodi, NJ 07644, and yes, we see children. For a first visit, the next step is our first-visit page.
Sources
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). "Your Baby's First Dental Visit." https://www.mouthhealthy.org/life-stages/babies-and-kids/first-dental-visit-for-baby
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. "Frequently Asked Questions." https://www.aapd.org/resources/parent/faq/
