BABY-0-2

When to Take Your Baby or Toddler to the Dentist?

Your baby’s first dental visit should occur as soon as their first baby tooth erupts, usually between the ages of 6 to 12 months.

Approved and reviewed by Dr. Lee, a dental professional of over 35 years. LEARN MORE

Visits to the dentist are important during your child’s formative years of tooth development. This ensures any dental problems are dealt with before they turn into something more serious, which can be difficult and costly to fix.

Of course, that begs the question, when should you take your toddler to the dentist? Should you wait until all the baby teeth come through? Or when a real problem arises? The short answer is: the first visit should happen when the first baby tooth erupts in the mouth.

When to Take Your Child to the Dentist

Your child’s first dentist visit should happen no later than age one to two, which usually coincides with the eruption of their first baby tooth. This appointment is important because it allows the dentist to check out your child’s gum health and see if their teeth are coming through and growing properly.

Of course, sometimes other issues come up that may demand a first dentist appointment, like abnormal bleeding in their gums. While a little bit of blood spotting may occur during teething, more than a few drops are a just cause for concern, and a dental appointment should be made as soon as possible.

Help make their first dental visit more enjoyable and comfortable by preparing beforehand. Here are a few things you can try with your child:

Pretend Play: Role-play as patient and dentist, you can even bring their favorite toys into the mix! Dolls and stuffed animals make great patients as you pretend to check their teeth.
Picture Time: Show your little one pictures of a dentist, so they become more familiar with who they’re about to meet.
Prep Them: Let your child know in advance that someone will be looking at their teeth so there’s no surprises

What to Expect from the First Dentist Visit

Visiting the dentist for the first time can be intimidating for a little one, but there are a few things you can do to make the first visits an enjoyable, safe experience. For the most part, the first visit is about introducing your child to the dentist’s office:

Getting your little one familiar with the staff.
Letting them get familiar with various dental instruments. Some dentists give their instruments fun, harmless names, like calling the hand piece a “tooth sweeper.”
Letting them take a ride in the chair.
Rewarding them after each visit with stickers or something they enjoy helping build a positive association with the dentist.

How to Take Care of Your Baby and Toddler’s Teeth

Between children’s dentist visits, it’s important to keep your child on the path to strong teeth and a beautiful smile. The tips below will help immensely:

Stop thumb sucking habits as soon as possible, as they can cause tooth misalignment.
Choose a soft, kid-size brush and a fluoride-free training toothpaste for babies like those included in the Oral-B and Crest Baby Training Toothpaste and Toothbrush Kit. Once they turn 3, you can start brushing with a pea-sized amount of kid-friendly fluoride toothpaste like Crest Kids Advanced Color Changing Toothpaste to better prevent cavities and strengthen their smile.
Replace their toothbrush every 3 months.
Brush your toddler's teeth after breakfast and before bed. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that parents help brush their children's teeth until they're seven or eight years old.
Avoid sugary and starchy foods and snacks as they increase the risk of decay.