Your Child’s First Dental Visit: What Parents Should Know (And When to Start)

Your child’s first dental visit is a major milestone in their development, playing an important role in their future health. If this is your first child, it’s natural to wonder what to expect — and when that initial visit should occur.

Amy Morris, DDS, and our team at Morris Dental Associates want parents and children to feel relaxed and comfortable at every visit, including that all-important-first appointment. In this month’s blog, learn when — and why — to schedule your child’s first dental visit, including what to expect when they meet the dentist for the first time.

When and why: Scheduling your child’s first dental visit

Many parents think that because their child still has their baby (primary) teeth, there’s no real need to see the dentist — but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Those baby teeth serve important purposes: Obviously, they help your child eat, which means they support proper nutrition. They also help your child as they develop their speaking skills.

Even though they don’t have deep roots like secondary teeth, a cavity in a baby tooth can still cause considerable pain, interfering with nutrition and leading to loss of school days and even reduced interaction with their friends. 

Plus, baby teeth act as placeholders for secondary teeth. If they fall out early due to decay or trauma, it can affect the way those adult teeth come in, with impacts on bite mechanics and tooth alignment, too.

Timing is critical

For these reasons, the American Dental Association recommends scheduling that first dental visit by your baby’s first birthday. These early visits are largely focused on prevention — not on procedures like fillings (a good thing, since most babies only have a few teeth by that time).

Scheduling regular visits during the preschool years is important, too, for setting a regular routine and reducing anxiety that can happen when dental visits are delayed. Early visits help normalize dental care while allowing your child to become familiar — and comfortable — with the sights, sounds, and routines of dental cleanings and exams. 

That’s beneficial for your child — and it reduces stress for you, too.

What’s more, these early visits provide you with important guidance about your child’s oral health. Our team can answer questions about proper brushing, how fluoride treatments work, habits like thumb-sucking or pacifier use, and good nutrition. Having expert advice early helps you play a confident, proactive role in your child’s oral health as they grow and develop.

What to expect during your child’s first dental visit

That all-important first visit is typically brief, very relaxed, and low pressure. The focus is on helping your child feel comfortable while introducing them to the sounds and sights they can expect at the dentist — and introducing them to our team, too. 

Depending on your child’s age and how relaxed and comfortable they feel, they may sit in the chair on their own or on your lap while we gently examine their teeth, gums, and jaw. We’ll check early signs of tooth decay, assess how their teeth are developing, and look for any concerns with bite or alignment.

In this very early visit, you can expect to be involved, too. We may demonstrate proper brushing technique, discuss daily oral care routines, recommend toothpaste amounts, and talk about habits that could affect your child’s oral health as they grow. 

We’re also ready to answer any question you may have, so you feel confident in helping your child develop good oral health habits as they get older.

Setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles

Your child’s first dental visit plays a major role in their long-term oral health, and it can even have an impact on how comfortable they are at future visits. 

If you have questions or if you’re ready to schedule a visit for your child, request an appointment online or over the phone with our team at Morris Dental Associates in Abilene, Texas, today.