When should your child first see a dentist?

The short answer: by age 1

The Canadian Dental Association recommends that a dentist see a baby within six months of the first tooth coming in, or by 12 months of age.^1,2 The Canadian Paediatric Society gives the same timing.³ The Ontario Dental Association puts it simply: by the first birthday, or when the first teeth appear.⁴

The first tooth usually arrives at about six months, though it can come as early as three months or as late as twelve.³ So in practice, the first visit often falls around the first birthday.

If you think something is wrong, you don't need to wait. Bring your child in at any age.⁵

Why so early?

The idea is to see your child before there is a problem.¹ At the first visit, the dentist looks at your child's risk of tooth decay and talks it over with you.⁶ That matters because early decay often starts without obvious symptoms.⁷

Baby teeth fall out eventually, but they still do a lot of work. They help children chew and learn to speak, they give shape to the face, and they help guide the adult teeth into the right position.³ Some of them stay in the mouth until about age 12.¹ Their enamel is also thinner than the enamel on adult teeth.³

What happens at the first visit

Here is what a first visit typically looks like, according to the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association:⁸

• Your child can sit in the dental chair on their own or on your lap.
• The mouth is usually checked with just a small mirror.
• X-rays are unlikely unless there is a real concern.
• You'll be shown how to keep your child's mouth clean, and you can talk about eating habits, thumb-sucking or soothers, and any questions you have.

Children are welcome at Kreher Dental Clinic. With our youngest patients, the focus is on preventing cavities.

How to help your child get ready

• Practise "open wide" at home and count your child's teeth. Then switch, and let them count yours.^4,8
• Gently pull back a cheek with a small spoon, so the dental mirror feels familiar.⁸
• Read a picture book about going to the dentist together.⁸
• Keep any bad dental memories of your own to yourself. Explain what will happen in simple words, and skip phrases like "it won't hurt" or "don't be scared".^5,8
• If dentists make you nervous, it's fine to ask another family member to bring your child.⁵
• Tell us ahead of time about allergies, medical conditions or special needs, and ask whether your child can bring a favourite toy.⁴

Caring for baby teeth at home

Start even before the first tooth. Once a day, gently clean your baby's mouth with a clean, damp washcloth wrapped around your finger, or a soft baby toothbrush. Once teeth come in, clean them twice a day, and always before bed: the mouth makes less saliva during sleep, which makes it easier for cavities to start.⁹

How much fluoride toothpaste

• Under 3: an adult does the brushing. Use a toothbrush with water only, unless your dentist or health professional recommends fluoride toothpaste. If they do, use a smear the size of a grain of rice.^9,10
• Ages 3 to 6: help your child brush with a pea-sized amount, and teach them to spit it out rather than swallow it.⁹

Young children can't clean their own teeth well. The Canadian Dental Association's rule of thumb: when your child can write (not print) their name, they're ready to do a good job brushing, though you should still check.¹⁰

Bottles and bedtime

Milk, formula, juice and even breast milk all contain natural sugars that can lead to decay, especially when teeth are exposed to them for a long time, as during bedtime feedings.⁷ Avoid putting your child to bed with a bottle of milk, juice or formula, and offer plain water instead.^3,7 If you breastfeed before a nap or bedtime, clean your child's teeth before they fall asleep.³

A monthly check you can do

Once a month, lift your child's upper lip and look along the gumline for dull or chalky white spots or lines, or brown spots. These can be early signs of decay, and a good reason to call us.^3,7