Your child’s first dental visit

Reviewed by Dr. Samar Fadavi, DDS

Short answer: Book your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. The visit is short and gentle: a look at the teeth and gums, a check for early decay, and advice for parents on brushing, fluoride, bottles and soothers. Starting early helps children see the dentist as a normal, friendly part of life.

When should your child first see a dentist, and what happens at the visit?

Many parents are surprised to hear that a dental visit is recommended so early. Baby teeth are small and will eventually fall out, so it can seem that there is plenty of time. In fact, tooth decay is one of the most common chronic conditions in childhood, and it can start soon after the first teeth come in. A first visit around the first birthday lets problems be caught while they are small, and it gives parents practical guidance at the stage when habits are formed.

This guide explains when to book, how to prepare your child, what happens during the visit, how to care for baby teeth at home, and the questions parents ask most often. It is general information for families in Scarborough and East Toronto.

Why baby teeth matter

Baby teeth, also called primary teeth, do much more than fill a gap until adult teeth arrive:

• They let children chew a wide range of foods, which supports healthy growth.
• They help with speech, especially sounds made with the tongue against the teeth.
• They hold space in the jaw for the adult teeth developing underneath. A baby tooth lost early to decay can allow neighbouring teeth to drift, leaving less room later.
• They affect how children feel about their smile.

Some back baby teeth stay until around age 10 to 12, so they need to last a long time. Decay in a baby tooth can cause pain, infection and sleepless nights, and an infection can sometimes affect the adult tooth forming beneath it.

When to book

Book the first visit by your child’s first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing, whichever comes first. Most babies get their first tooth, usually a lower front tooth, between six and twelve months, though some are earlier or later.

Book sooner if you notice:

• White or brown spots or lines on the teeth, especially near the gums on the upper front teeth.
• A tooth that looks chipped, dark or broken after a fall.
• Swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gums.
• Your child seems to have pain when eating or drinking.

Preparing your child

• Choose a good time of day. Morning appointments, or a time after a nap, often go more smoothly than late afternoon.
• Keep the language simple and positive. Say that the dentist will count their teeth and check that they are healthy. Avoid words like hurt, needle or drill, even to reassure.
• Read a picture book or play pretend. Take turns counting each other’s teeth or checking a stuffed animal’s teeth with a toothbrush.
• Bring a comfort item. A favourite toy or blanket helps.
• Keep your own feelings in check. Children pick up on adult anxiety. If you feel nervous about the dentist yourself, that is very common; try to keep the tone light, and let us know if you would like to talk about it.
• Bring information. Your child’s health history, any medications and allergies, and any questions you have written down.

What happens at the first visit, step by step

1. A chat with you. The dentist asks about your child’s health, feeding, bottle and soother use, brushing routine, fluoride exposure and any family history of dental problems.
2. Knee-to-knee exam. For babies and toddlers, the exam is often done with your child sitting on your lap facing you, then leaning back so their head rests on the dentist’s knees. This lets your child see you the whole time.
3. A gentle look. The dentist checks the teeth, gums, tongue, bite and soft tissues, looking for early signs of decay, injury or anything unusual.
4. Cleaning, if needed. A soft brush may be used to clean the teeth and show you the technique.
5. Fluoride, if recommended. A thin layer of fluoride varnish may be painted on to strengthen the enamel. It sets quickly and tastes mild.
6. Advice for home. You will leave with practical tips suited to your child’s age and habits, and a suggested time for the next visit.

X-rays are rarely needed at a first visit for a very young child. They may be suggested later if there are signs of decay between the teeth or after an injury.

The whole visit usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. Crying is completely normal for babies and toddlers and does not mean the visit went badly. The aim is a short, positive experience.

Caring for your child’s teeth at home

Before teeth appear

Wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after feeds. It removes milk and gets your baby used to having their mouth cleaned.

From the first tooth to age three

• Brush twice a day with a soft, small toothbrush.
• Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice, if your dentist or doctor recommends it based on your child’s risk of decay.
• Lift the upper lip once a month to look for white or brown spots near the gums.

Ages three to six

• Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
• Help your child brush. Children usually need an adult to brush for them, or to finish the job, until about age seven or eight, when they can tie their own shoelaces or write their name neatly.
• Start flossing when two teeth touch each other.
• Teach your child to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallow it, and not to rinse with lots of water afterwards.

Food, drink, bottles and soothers

• Water between meals. Offer water as the main drink between meals and snacks. Milk is good with meals.
• No bottle in bed. Milk, formula or juice in a bottle at bedtime bathes the teeth in sugar overnight and is a common cause of early childhood decay. If your child needs a bottle to fall asleep, fill it with water.
• Move to a cup. Introduce an open cup around six months and aim to stop the bottle by about 12 to 18 months.
• Limit juice and sweet snacks. Sticky and sweet foods between meals feed decay. How often sugar is eaten matters more than how much.
• Do not dip soothers in sugar or honey. Honey should not be given to babies under one year at all.
• Avoid sharing spoons or cleaning a soother in your mouth. The bacteria that cause decay can pass from parent to child.
• Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding has many benefits. Once teeth appear, wiping or brushing the teeth after night feeds helps reduce the risk of decay.

Teething: what to expect

Teething usually starts around six months, though it varies a lot. Babies may drool more, chew on everything, rub their gums or ears, and be fussier than usual, especially at night. Teething does not usually cause high fever, diarrhoea or a rash; if your baby has these, contact your doctor.

To help a teething baby, offer a clean, firm rubber teething ring or a cool, damp washcloth to chew. Rub the gums gently with a clean finger. Avoid teething gels that contain numbing agents unless your doctor advises them, avoid amber teething necklaces, which can be a choking and strangling risk, and never give honey to a baby under one year. If your baby seems very uncomfortable, ask your doctor or pharmacist about pain relief suitable for their age and weight.

The order baby teeth usually appear

Every child is different, but teeth often arrive in a similar pattern:

• Lower front teeth: around 6 to 10 months.
• Upper front teeth: around 8 to 12 months.
• Teeth beside the front teeth: around 9 to 16 months.
• First molars: around 13 to 19 months.
• Canines: around 16 to 23 months.
• Second molars: around 23 to 33 months.

Most children have all 20 baby teeth by about age three. A few months earlier or later than this is common and usually nothing to worry about. If no teeth have appeared by about 18 months, mention it to your dentist or doctor.

Making dental visits a normal part of family life

Children who visit the dentist regularly from a young age often feel more at ease as they grow. Bring your child along to a parent’s or sibling’s check-up so they can see the chair, the light and the friendly faces before it is their turn. Brush your teeth together at home so your child sees it as something the whole family does. Praise effort, not perfection, and keep the routine at the same times each day. Small, steady habits now set the pattern for years of healthy teeth.

What to avoid

• Waiting for a problem before the first visit. Early visits are about prevention.
• Using the dentist as a threat. Phrases like “the dentist will fix your teeth if you eat candy” can create fear.
• Bribing with sweets after the visit. A sticker, a park visit or a favourite story makes a better reward.
• Letting a young child brush alone. They do not yet have the skill to clean every surface.
• Too much toothpaste. A smear for babies and toddlers, a pea-sized amount from age three.

When to see a dentist sooner

• White, brown or dark spots on the teeth.
• A fall or knock that chips, loosens or darkens a tooth, or pushes it up into the gum.
• Swelling of the gum or face.
• Your child complains of tooth pain or avoids chewing on one side.

For knocks and injuries, our same-day emergency care page explains how to reach us quickly. Our children’s dentistry page describes how we care for young patients, and families with Canadian Dental Care Plan coverage can read our CDCP page.

After the visit: building a routine at home

The first visit is the start of a habit, not a one-time event. Praise your child for being brave, whatever happened in the chair. Put the next check-up in your calendar before you leave. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and make the evening brush the last thing before bed, with no food or milk afterwards. Keep juice and sweet snacks to mealtimes, and offer water between meals. Let your child pick a toothbrush colour or a two-minute song so brushing feels like their own routine. Lift the lip once a month to look for white or brown spots near the gum line, and call us if you see any. Small, steady habits now make the next visit even easier, and they set your child up for healthy adult teeth.

Questions about a child’s first dental visit

Is one year old really not too early?

No. Decay can start as soon as teeth appear. An early visit focuses on prevention and on helping you build good habits.

What if my child cries the whole time?

That is normal for babies and toddlers. The exam is quick, and you stay with your child throughout. Each visit usually gets easier.

Should I go to a family dentist or a paediatric dentist?

Many families see a general dentist for routine children’s care. Our guide on regular dentists and paediatric dentists explains the difference and when a referral may help.

Is fluoride varnish safe for babies?

Fluoride varnish is used in small amounts and sets on the teeth quickly. It is widely used to help prevent decay in young children. The dentist will recommend it based on your child’s risk.

How often should my child see the dentist?

Usually every six months, though some children at higher risk of decay benefit from more frequent visits. We will suggest an interval after the first exam.

Can I be in the room?

Yes. For young children, parents are part of the visit, and for babies the exam is often done on your lap.

Do baby teeth with cavities need fillings?

Often, yes. Treating decay in a baby tooth prevents pain and infection and protects the space for the adult tooth. The dentist will explain the options for your child.

Related guides

• Brushing and flossing for kids by age
• Halloween candy and kids’ teeth
• Fluoride toothpaste: how much to use