Your child’s first dental visit is recommended when their first tooth appears, or by around their first birthday. It is usually short and relaxed: a gentle look at the teeth and gums, a chat about feeding and brushing, and a chance for your child to get used to the dental setting before they ever need treatment.
Many parents wait until a problem appears, but early visits are less about finding problems and more about preventing them. Here is what to expect and how to make it a positive experience.
When should a child first see the dentist?
The Australian Dental Association recommends a first dental visit when the first tooth comes through or by 12 months of age, whichever comes first. Most babies get their first tooth somewhere between six and twelve months, although the timing varies widely.
If your child is already older than this and has not been to the dentist, do not worry. It is never too late to start, and a first visit at two, three or four years old follows the same gentle approach.
Why go so early?
- Tooth decay can start early. Baby teeth have thinner enamel than adult teeth, so decay can progress quickly, particularly with frequent bottle feeds of milk or juice, or snacking.
- Prevention is easier than treatment. Advice on feeding, brushing and fluoride can help avoid problems altogether.
- Familiarity reduces anxiety. A child whose early visits are positive is more likely to feel comfortable with dental care as they grow.
- Development can be monitored. Your dentist can keep an eye on how teeth are coming through and how the jaws are developing.
Why baby teeth matter
It is easy to think baby teeth are not important because they fall out. In fact, they help children chew, speak clearly and smile with confidence, and they hold space for the adult teeth. Some back baby teeth are not lost until around 10 to 12 years of age.
Decay in baby teeth can cause pain, infection, difficulty eating and sleeping, and time off childcare or school. Early loss of baby teeth can also affect how the adult teeth line up.
How to prepare your child
A little preparation goes a long way. Keep it simple and positive.
- Choose a good time of day. Book when your child is usually rested and fed, not close to nap time.
- Talk about it casually. Explain that the dentist will count their teeth and check they are healthy. Picture books or playing dentist with a toy can help.
- Avoid scary words. Try not to mention needles, drills or pain, or say things like “it won’t hurt”, which can plant the idea that it might.
- Stay calm yourself. Children pick up on parents’ feelings. If you are anxious about the dentist, try to keep it to yourself on the day, or ask another carer to come along.
- Bring information. Note any medical conditions, medications, allergies and questions you have about teething, thumb sucking, dummies or feeding.
What happens at the first visit
A first visit usually takes around 15 to 30 minutes. The focus is on comfort, not on getting through a checklist.
A gentle examination
For babies and toddlers, the examination is often done “knee to knee”: you sit facing the dentist with your child on your lap, then lay them back so their head rests in the dentist’s lap. This lets your child see you the whole time. Older children may sit in the chair, sometimes on a parent’s lap first.
The dentist checks the teeth that have come through, the gums, tongue and the inside of the cheeks, and looks for early signs of decay such as white chalky lines near the gums. They also look at how the bite is developing.
Cleaning and fluoride
Depending on your child’s age and comfort, the dentist may gently clean the teeth and, if appropriate for their risk of decay, apply a fluoride varnish. X-rays are rarely needed at a first visit.
Advice for parents
Much of the first visit is a conversation with you. Topics often include:
- How and when to brush your child’s teeth
- Toothpaste: in Australia, children under 18 months generally do not need toothpaste unless a dentist advises it. From 18 months to six years, a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride children’s toothpaste is usually recommended, spat out rather than swallowed, with no rinsing.
- Bottle and breastfeeding habits, and why babies should not be put to bed with a bottle of milk or juice
- Healthy snacks and drinks, with water as the main drink
- Dummies and thumb sucking, which are usually not a concern in young children but can affect the bite if they continue as adult teeth come through
- Teething and what helps
If your child is upset
Crying at a first visit is normal and nothing to be embarrassed about. Dentists who see young children are used to it. If your child is not ready, the visit can be kept very short, with the aim of building trust over a few appointments. There is no benefit in pushing a frightened toddler through a full examination unless there is a problem that needs attention.
Praise your child for being brave afterwards, whatever happened. A small reward unrelated to food, such as a sticker or a trip to the park, is a nice way to end the visit.
After the first visit: building habits at home
What happens at home every day matters much more than what happens at the dentist twice a year. A few habits make a real difference:
- Brush twice a day, morning and before bed, with a soft children’s toothbrush.
- Help your child brush until they are around eight years old; most young children do not have the coordination to clean well on their own.
- Start cleaning between teeth once neighbouring teeth touch.
- Keep sweet foods and drinks to mealtimes, and offer water between meals.
- Book regular check-ups as your dentist recommends, often every six to twelve months.
You can read more about how we care for younger patients on our children’s dentistry page.
When to see a dentist
As well as routine visits, book an appointment if you notice white, brown or black spots on your child’s teeth, swelling or a pimple on the gums, a tooth that has been knocked, chipped or changed colour after a fall, signs of toothache such as refusing food or rubbing the face, or bad breath that does not go away. If your child has facial swelling with fever, seek care promptly.
For families in Ryde, North Ryde and Macquarie Park, our dentist near Ryde page has details on getting to our Macquarie Park practice, which is opposite Macquarie Centre with free on-site parking (handy if you are bringing a pram), and health fund members can claim eligible rebates on the spot with HICAPS. Rebates depend on your fund and level of extras cover.
Frequently asked questions
At what age should my child first see a dentist?
The recommendation is when the first tooth comes through or by 12 months of age, whichever comes first. If your child is older and has not been yet, book a visit now; it is never too late to start.
What happens at a baby’s first dental visit?
Usually a short, gentle look at the teeth and gums, often with your child on your lap, followed by advice on brushing, feeding, toothpaste and teething. It typically takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Should my toddler use fluoride toothpaste?
In Australia, children under 18 months generally do not need toothpaste unless advised by a dentist. From 18 months to six years, a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride children’s toothpaste is usually recommended.
What if my child cries at the dentist?
That is completely normal. The visit can be kept short and gentle, with the aim of building trust over time. Staying calm and positive yourself helps.
How often should children have dental check-ups?
Many children are seen every six to twelve months, but your dentist will suggest an interval based on your child’s risk of decay.
A gentle start makes a difference for years to come. Call North Ryde Dentistry on (02) 8090 1102 or book an appointment.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for advice from your own dentist. Any treatment carries risks; your dentist will discuss whether it is suitable for you.