Your Child's First Dental Visit: When and How to Prepare

When should the first dental visit be?

Dental associations recommend a visit within 6 months of the first tooth appearing, and no later than the first birthday. It is usually simple: the child sits on a parent's lap, the dentist gently checks the teeth and gums, assesses the risk of decay, and answers your questions about feeding, brushing and teething.

Follow-up visits are then planned according to the child's needs, usually every 6 months, and sooner for children at higher risk of decay.

Why care for baby teeth if they will fall out?

Baby teeth are not as temporary as some think; some stay in the mouth until around age 10 to 12. They are essential for chewing well, speaking clearly and for the child's confidence in their smile.

They also hold space for the permanent teeth. If a baby tooth is lost early to decay, the neighbouring teeth can drift and cause crowding later. Advanced decay can also cause pain and an abscess that affect the child's sleep and eating, and sometimes the permanent tooth developing underneath.

How to clean your child's teeth at each age

Fluoride strengthens enamel and protects against decay; what matters is using the right amount for the child's age:

• Before teeth appear: wipe the gums with a clean, damp cloth after feeds.
• From the first tooth to age 3: brush twice a day with a small soft brush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice.
• From 3 to 6 years: a pea-sized amount, and teach the child to spit out without rinsing much.
• Help or supervise brushing until around age 7 to 8; younger children do not yet have the hand skills.
• Start flossing once the teeth touch each other.

Bottle caries: how to prevent it

Bottle caries happens when sugary liquids such as milk and juice stay on the teeth for long periods, especially during sleep when saliva is low. It usually appears on the upper front teeth as white, then brown, spots. To prevent it:

• Do not let your child fall asleep with a bottle; if they need one at bedtime, make it water only.
• Do not put juice or sweetened drinks in the bottle.
• Wipe or brush your child's teeth after the last night feed whenever possible.
• Encourage drinking from a cup gradually after 6 months, and aim to stop the bottle between about 12 and 18 months.
• Do not dip a dummy in honey or sugar, and do not taste from your child's spoon before feeding them.

Fissure sealants and fluoride varnish

The chewing surfaces of molars have deep grooves that are hard to clean with a brush. A fissure sealant is a thin coating placed on these surfaces to stop bacteria collecting there, usually a quick procedure with no drilling or injection. It is commonly recommended once the first permanent molars come in around age 6 and the second around age 12, and some children need it on baby molars too.

Fluoride varnish is painted on the teeth at the clinic in a few minutes, and is usually repeated every 3 to 6 months depending on the decay risk your dentist assesses.

How to make the visit easy for your child

The way you talk about the visit strongly shapes how your child feels. These simple ideas help:

• Choose a time when your child is rested and not hungry or sleepy.
• Talk about the visit positively, and avoid words like needle, pull or hurt.
• Read a story or play dentist at home before the appointment.
• Never use a dental visit as a threat or punishment.
• Praise your child's cooperation afterwards, however small.