As a parent, you want to ensure you’re setting your child up for success. That includes helping them learn to read and write, teaching them to be kind to those around them, and prioritizing their physical health, from regular checkups with their pediatrician to their very first visit to the dentist. But when exactly should that first dental appointment happen? 

Ensuring your child attends their first dental appointment at the right time can set them up for lifelong good oral hygiene. In this blog, we will walk you through the expert recommendations on when to schedule this crucial milestone and explain why timing is everything for your child’s dental development and long-term oral health success. 

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s Recommendation

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) is the leading authority on children’s oral health. This pediatric team recommends children attend their first dental appointment no later than their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth erupting, whichever occurs first. This first appointment allows you to identify potential problems as early as possible.

It also gives parents an opportunity to receive crucial guidance on proper oral hygiene practices from the start. If you have a young toddler who hasn’t visited the dentist yet, it is important to remember that it’s never too late. If they are over a year old and haven’t attended their first dental appointment, you still have the opportunity to reach out to the dentist to schedule. 

Why Early Visits to the Dentist Matter

Early visits with the dentist are incredibly important to your child’s oral health. While you might not think the dentist can see much when your child only has a few teeth, these early appointments can help them monitor your child’s earliest dental and jaw development, and catch thumb-sucking and spacing issues early. 

They will also identify potential signs of tooth decay and gum disease before they become more serious and costly. In addition to the oral health benefits, it can also help you establish a positive dental experience for your child. When you work with an experienced pediatric dental team, you can help reduce your child’s anxiety in dental environments. 

Visiting the dentist from an early age will make it much easier to attend dental visits down the road. With positive experiences from an early age, your child can begin establishing great habits, like regular and comprehensive brushing and flossing, that will help them achieve their best oral health. 

What to Expect During Your Child’s First Dental Appointment

During your child’s first dental appointment, there are a few key things you can expect, including: 

• An introduction to the dentist and a conversation about medical history, feeding, and habits like thumb-sucking and pacifier use. 
• A gentle examination of your child’s teeth, gums, and teeth while your child is seated on your lap facing the dentist. 
• If needed, your child’s teeth will be gently cleaned with a soft brush to remove plaque, and polishing to address surface stains. 
• Your dentist may recommend a fluoride treatment, which is used to help strengthen your child’s teeth and prevent decay. 
• Tips on brushing, flossing, teething, diet, and preventing accidents that could compromise your child’s teeth. 

If you have any questions for the dental team, don’t hesitate to ask. They are there to help you establish great oral hygiene habits that will set your child up for lifelong success. 

Tips for Making This a Stress Free Process

Visiting the dentist can be a little nerve-racking for anyone, but especially for children who’ve never visited the dentist before. But, with a bit of extra support leading up to their first dental appointment, you can ensure this process is as stress (and tear) free as possible. Before your child’s first dental exam, make sure to do the following:

• Consider playing “dentist” with your child at home, using a toothbrush on their favorite stuffed animal to help them feel more comfortable and confident. 
• Do your best to avoid using scary words that may increase their anxiety, like “hurt,” “shot,” and “needle” when explaining their appointment. 
• Schedule their appointment early in the morning, when they are well-rested and full from breakfast to help boost their mood. 
• Consider bringing a comfort item, like a stuffed animal, soft blankets, or headphones with their favorite music to provide a welcome distraction. 
• Lead by example, as your child can sense when you are anxious, and try to be as calm and positive about their upcoming appointment as possible. 

Home Care Suggestions

The things you do at home are just as important as ensuring your child attends their first dental appointment early. To ensure you’re protecting your child’s teeth at home, consider the following: 

• When you first start brushing, wipe your child’s gums with a clean cloth or infant toothbrush twice a day, especially after feeding and before bedtime.
• Once the first tooth erupts, brush with a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste twice daily. Increase this to a pea-sized amount once your child is three years old
• Supervise brushing until your child is about eight years old to ensure they are using the correct technique and spitting out the toothpaste.
• Avoid putting your baby to sleep with a bottle containing anything other than water to prevent “baby bottle tooth decay.”
• Limit sugary snacks and drinks, and encourage a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
• Introduce flossing as soon as two teeth touch each other, usually around age two or three, to clean in between the teeth.
• Replace toothbrushes every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.

Schedule Your Child’s First Dental Appointment with Our Team

If you are preparing to schedule your child’s first dental appointment, don’t hesitate to turn to our team at Fletcher Family Dental for support. For decades, our dentists have provided patients across Western North Carolina with the most comprehensive dental care, and we’re confident that they can do the same for your child. Whether they’ve had a negative experience with another dental team or you’re scheduling their very first appointment, we’re here to make this process as comfortable as possible. 

When you’re ready to schedule your child’s first dental appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us.