When Should Kids Have Their First Dental Visit?

When Should My Child Go to The Dentist for The First Time?

Your baby’s first year is a whirlwind of exciting milestones and experiences. One important “first” you should add to your list is a dental visit. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends your child have their first dental visit within six months of the first tooth eruption or by their first birthday.

First Tooth = First Dental Visit

Some of our patients are surprised their child needs to see the dentist at such a young age. Conventional wisdom used to say you could wait until a child was a toddler for their first dental visit.

However, the recommendations have changed. According to the AAPD, “The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics all recommend a dental visit for children by age one.”

Why Should Children See a Dentist Before Their 1st Birthday?

Why the big rush to get your baby to the dentist? According to the AAPD, these are the top three reasons parents should take their children to see a pediatric dentist before their first birthday:

1. Tooth Decay Can Happen Early

Did you know as soon as primary teeth erupt, they are vulnerable to tooth decay? A pediatric dentist checks for decay and, if it exists, stops it before it becomes serious.

2. Primary Teeth Are a Big Deal

Primary teeth shouldn’t be ignored. They serve several important purposes — they help with proper chewing, are crucial to your child’s speech development and serve as a place holder for permanent teeth.

3. An Early Visit Can Save Money

According to the AAPD, “a study in the journal Pediatrics showed that children who have their first dental visit before age one have 40 percent lower dental costs in their first five years than children who do not, due to the cost of dental and medical procedures that may be necessary as a result of poor oral health.”

The AAPD’s Dental Health Tips for Newborns

The AAPD recommends the following “Get it Done in Year One” Checklist to keep infant mouths healthy and prevent infection:

Clean infants’ mouths and gums regularly with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. Once baby teeth appear, brush them at least twice daily with an age‐appropriate toothbrush and a “smear” of fluoridated toothpaste.

Wean infants from the bottle by 12‐14 months of age. Have infants drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday.

Visit a pediatric dentist before your child’s first birthday and twice annually following the first appointment.