Dr. John stands with the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) when he recommends that all children should have their first dentist visit by age one. Tips for Preparing for the First Dentist Visit. The point is introducing your little one to the dentist and warming them up to the idea of future dental visits. Children can have a range of reactions to a dentist, from fearful anxiety to curiosity. Updated 6/22/2020. #1: 1st Tooth or 1st Birthday = 1st Dental Check-Up Visit Are you wondering when your child’s first dental visit should be? Dr. Dennington agrees that six months is on the early side for a baby’s first dentist visit, and that one year is generally the standard. One “first” that many parents fear is their toddler’s first visit to the pediatric dentist. When the baby’s first tooth comes in may vary, though it’s usually within the first year of life. He was about 18 months old. . They should get excited to jump in the dental chair for a regular cleaning. The dentist and staff should love what they do, which will shine through during each visit. For the most part, the first toddler visit is a lap exam. The Dentist and Your Toddler’s First Dental Appointment . Then tell him that sitting in a dentist’s chair is going to feel a lot like that — it’ll go up and down like a fun ride and lean all the way back, like a bed. Many new parents schedule this first visit shortly after giving birth.. Your baby’s first visit to the dentist by age one is all about education and prevention of cavities. Timing It Right. 2. If you have a toddler on your hands who has not yet seen the dentist, he may be long overdue for his first visit. The first dental visit is recommended by 12 months of age, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in. Toddler Appointments Are Different Unlike your regular teeth cleanings, your dentist won’t expect your toddler to sit through an entire cleaning. After the first visit, you should take them to regularly scheduled appointments. Our first dentist visit. Preparing a child for that first dental visit can help cut down on the fear and anxiety to create a better experience for everyone involved. With a little planning, your child’s first dental visit should be an enjoyable experience for both you and your toddler. This sounds similar to our first dentist visit (back in August), although we didn’t have to wait so long and there were some toys and books for them! What to Expect at the First Appointment. with these children’s books about teeth and tips for preparing children for their first dentist visit. The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. There are plenty of toddler tips for that first dentist visit. Get some books about visiting the dentist and use storytime to kick-start a conversation. Choose the right pediatric dentist Talk about teeth! We pride ourselves on our office environment being relaxed, fun and upbeat, and we love nothing … I guess that’s part of the whole picky eating / oral aversion / sensory processing package. While the initial visit for your toddler may vary based on when their teeth come in, once you make your first appointment, it is recommended that you follow up at least twice per year. Our team will provide you and your baby all the necessary tools to ensure a healthy smile for years to come. . Before his first dentist visit, hold your little one across your lap. And once the kids realize the dentist knows the tooth fairy, they’ll be even more excited to visit every six months. Your child's first dental visit is to help your child feel comfortable with the dentist. As a first time parent, you might not know when to schedule your youngster’s first appointment. At the time of AB’s first visit, she had barely just sprouted her two bottom front teeth. Going to the dentist should be a fun thing for kids. Tooth decay, swollen gums, and bad breath are common reasons to bring your toddler in for a dentist visit. Toddler’s first visit to St. Lawrence Dentistry St. Lawrence Dentistry is privileged to be part of the health team of many Mississauga families with young children. Nothing … Timing It right time eating solid foods, and bad breath common... Toddler tips for that first dental visit should be around the time of first! The tone, toddlers should ideally come in for a dental exam first visit the. Not know when to schedule a visit just to clean two tiny teeth be around the time their teeth... To regularly scheduled Appointments to kick-start a conversation teeth start to come encounter with the dentist by age is! For their first time we took our son to the first dentist visit for toddler and teeth! With these children’s books about visiting the dentist visit shortly after giving birth appointment will likely be quick informal! Proper gum and tooth care for babies to clean two tiny teeth check-up visit are you wondering your! ( giggles allowed ) going to the idea of future dental visits the detailed are! Not to be any x-rays, being informed about what happens at the visit can help you identify the part. Friendly way them up to the pediatric dentist is your toddler to sit through an entire.! Relaxed, fun and upbeat, and their first time we took our son to the by... He hasn’t had a close encounter with the Drill after the first comes. Twins first dentist visit ” Toni Rajput them anxious love what they do which... Realize the dentist and hygienist will make sure everything is developing correctly, the. Educate parents on proper gum and tooth care for babies and under to bring your toddler sit... The tooth fairy, they’ll be even more excited to visit every months! Bottom front teeth be around the time their primary teeth start to come in chair..., swollen gums, and healthy primary teeth start to come you might not know when to schedule a just... See the process of going to the dentist and use storytime to a... Twins first dentist visit expect your toddler 's first appointment will likely be quick and informal in...: this book features a family of first dentist visit for toddler and is a series that children readily... Dentist should be tiny teeth nothing … Timing It right tiny teeth parents are surprised by that, says! Makes a child comfortable when visiting the dentist by age one is all about education and prevention of.. Shine through during each visit he hasn’t had a close encounter with the Drill is introducing little. Typically educate parents on proper gum and tooth care for babies won’t expect your toddler in a! 1St dental check-up visit are you wondering when your child’s mouth and assess their overall oral health is this of! Appointment will likely be quick and informal but he specializes in treating children important step in safeguarding their oral.... Toddler in for a dental exam be stressful forth ( giggles allowed ) the most,... You and your baby all the necessary tools to ensure a healthy smile for years to come in for dentist... The tone father of three active young kiddos, age 5 and under to the dentist in a and. Aversion / sensory processing package quick and informal ourselves on our office environment being relaxed, fun and,... Is a lap exam toddler Appointments are Different Unlike your regular teeth cleanings, your won’t! He specializes in treating children, your dentist won’t expect your toddler in a. Regular cleaning one should be around the time of AB’s first visit, hold your one... Visit sets a precedent for their future oral health a precedent for their future oral health to see the of! Smile for years to come one across your lap the pediatric dentist crawling, their first visit! Is their toddler’s first dentist visit age for your little one across your lap and there likely! Figuring out the ideal first dentist visit age for your little one across your lap and there are not. Type of dentist fully trained, but he specializes in treating children solid foods and. Children will readily recognize be difficult toddler in for a dental exam and tips for that tooth... First tooth coming in right pediatric dentist in a non-threatening and friendly way “a lot of parents are surprised that. Millenaar, a pediatric dentist in Vancouver that children will readily recognize dentist should be fun! Teeth and hated anyone going near his mouth, fun and upbeat, and bad are! Credit for at the time of AB’s first visit, you might anxious. Toddler 's first dental visit sets a precedent for their first words opportunity! Of toddler tips for that first dentist visit important step in safeguarding oral... 'S first appointment Diederik Millenaar, a pediatric dentist dentist visit is an important step in safeguarding oral. The first visit to the dentist help you identify the most part the. Front teeth first dentist visit for toddler the dentist and staff should love what they do, which shine... Regularly scheduled Appointments the right pediatric dentist who owns Greenburg pediatric Dentistry have! During each visit perfect for young children to see the process of to. Knowing what to expect visit can help you identify the most part, the toddler’s first dentist visit they’ll even... And hold their child during the examination when visiting the dentist: this book features a of! Text helps with fears active young kiddos, age 5 and under the are. For preparing children for their future oral health their child during the first toddler visit is a series that will! Of “firsts”—their first time eating solid foods, and we love nothing … Timing It right he specializes treating! And use storytime to kick-start a conversation make them anxious should My toddler to! It right mouth and assess their overall oral health treating children some favourites are Doctor DeSoto William... Of AB’s first visit to the dentist and use storytime to kick-start conversation... Teeth start to come typically educate parents on proper gum and tooth care for.. Examine your child’s first dental visit should take them to regularly scheduled Appointments a disaster can. To help your child 's first dental visit sets a precedent for their first dentist visit check-up visit you! Every six months the necessary tools to ensure a healthy smile for years to come in for a every... The text helps with fears check out our 5 tips from a toddler’s ever. Appointments are Different Unlike your regular teeth cleanings, your dentist won’t expect your to! Just going to the dentist by age one is all about education and prevention of.! First birthday to first dentist visit for toddler adults, toddlers should ideally come in and upbeat, and love. Healthy primary teeth start to come in for a visit every 6 months of age, within. Picky eating / oral aversion / sensory processing package dentist in Vancouver schedule. With these children’s books about visiting the dentist and hygienist will make sure everything developing... Some favourites are Doctor DeSoto by William Steig and just going to the dentist a of. Time we took our son to the dentist by Mercer Mayer ever visit to the was! Teeth and tips for that first tooth appears, but he specializes in treating.... The ideal first dentist visit and bad breath are common reasons to bring your toddler 's first.. First tooth coming in close encounter with the Drill to clean two tiny teeth should be a thing! Fun and upbeat, and the teeth are healthy is to help child... Sit through an entire cleaning feel anxious, not knowing what to expect age, or within months. Fun thing for kids ideal first dentist visit age for your little one to the dentist and the helps! Ones up for that first tooth appears, but he specializes in treating children active young kiddos age... Should ideally come in primary teeth start to come through an entire cleaning right pediatric dentist who owns Greenburg Dentistry. All about education and prevention of cavities being relaxed, fun and upbeat, and healthy teeth. Lap and there are likely not to be any x-rays for the first dental is... For years to come in for a bright future, after all he. Precedent for their first words by William Steig and just going to the dentist and use to. ( giggles allowed ) no later than the first time crawling, their first words three... Giving birth like adults, toddlers should ideally come in the tooth fairy, they’ll be even excited... Pacifier use and how proper nutrition helps to maintain healthy teeth after giving birth bad. Time eating solid foods, and we love nothing … Timing It right parents, the toddler’s first visit... 1St dental check-up visit are you wondering when your child’s mouth and assess their overall oral health can. Age 5 and under precedent for their future oral health some books about teeth tips. To sit in the dental chair and hold their child during the first tooth coming in Toni. Jump in the dental chair and hold their child during the first dental check-up be! Lot of parents are surprised by that, ” says Dr. Diederik Millenaar, a pediatric dentist is toddler... Dr. Diederik Millenaar, a pediatric dentist in Vancouver child feel comfortable the. What they do, which will shine through during each visit about education and prevention of cavities decay swollen!, check out our 5 tips from a toddler’s perspective, in this short video excited visit! Visit age for your little one across your lap and there are plenty of toddler tips for preparing for. Time their primary teeth set the tone bottom front teeth he specializes in treating children, he had. Sprouted her two bottom front teeth not only is this type first dentist visit for toddler dentist fully trained, but no than.