The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) now recommend that your child see a dentist upon eruption of their first tooth, or by age one. By seeing children at an early age, we are able to examine children to make sure that all dental structures are developing normally. More importantly it allows us to speak with parents about diet and hygiene and to discuss prevention. Children that begin early with their dental care tend to have lower rates of decay because the child is less averse to the dental setting, parents are better educated, and early intervention (when necessary) can be accomplished, so areas of concern do not become major problems later.

Just as each child is different, each “first dental visit” is different. Every child presents with different dental needs and different cognitive levels. Your first visit is an important time to examine your child’s teeth, discuss diet and habits, and establish a “dental home” for your family. For those children with dental disease, it is a time to discuss if and what are the best treatment options for your child so they can have visits that are positive and not help to perpetuate fear and anxiety.