Parents often have plenty of milestones to keep track of during the first years of a child’s life. First words, first steps and first foods are obvious ones, but there is another milestone that can be easy to overlook: the first dental visit.
It is understandable to assume that a dental appointment can wait until a child has most of their baby teeth, starts school or develops a problem. However, dental care can begin much earlier.
The Australian Dental Association recommends a child’s first dental visit when their first teeth appear, or by their first birthday. An early appointment gives the dental practitioner an opportunity to check developing teeth and provide parents with practical advice about caring for their child’s mouth.
For families looking for a dentist in Tamworth, understanding what happens at these early visits can also make the experience feel much more straightforward.
When Should a Child Have Their First Dental Visit?
A useful rule for parents is to think “first tooth, first dental visit”.
The Australian Dental Association recommends that children have their first dental visit when their first teeth appear in the mouth. ADA educational guidance also recommends the first visit by age one if a tooth has already appeared.
This can sound surprisingly early. A baby may only have one or two visible teeth, but the purpose of the appointment is not necessarily to provide treatment.
Instead, an early visit allows the dental practitioner to examine the mouth, monitor development and discuss preventative dental care with parents.
If your child is already older and has never visited a dentist, that does not mean you have missed your opportunity. You can arrange their first check-up now rather than waiting until they develop pain or another dental concern.
Why Do Baby Teeth Need Dental Care?
Baby teeth eventually fall out, but they still play important roles while they are present.
They help children chew food and speak, and they occupy space as the mouth and jaws develop. Importantly, baby teeth can also develop tooth decay.
Decay can begin after teeth appear and may not necessarily cause obvious symptoms in its early stages. That is one reason preventative dentistry and appropriate home oral hygiene are relevant from childhood.
Dental appointments can also give parents an opportunity to ask questions about brushing, toothpaste, diet, fluoride, teething and habits such as dummy use or thumb sucking.
What Happens at a Child’s First Dental Appointment?
A first dental appointment is generally focused on examination, familiarisation and education.
The exact appointment will depend on the child’s age, development, oral health and how comfortable they feel on the day.
Talking About Your Child’s Health and Habits
The dental practitioner may begin by asking about your child’s general health, development and oral health routine.
They may ask about topics such as:
- how your child’s teeth are being cleaned
- foods and drinks
- bottle use
- dummy use
- thumb or finger sucking
- previous dental problems or injuries
- relevant medical history.
These details provide context for assessing your child’s teeth and mouth.
Checking the Teeth and Mouth
The dental practitioner can examine your child’s teeth as well as their gums, tongue, cheeks, lips and other areas of the mouth.
Even when only a few teeth have appeared, this can provide useful information about oral health and development.
Depending on your child’s age and individual needs, other dental care may also be discussed or recommended. This can include cleaning, fluoride application or dental X-rays when clinically appropriate.
How Can You Prepare Your Child for Their First Dental Visit?
Children often take cues from the adults around them. Keeping the conversation about the dentist calm and matter-of-fact can therefore be helpful.
Before the appointment, you could play “dentist” at home and practise counting your child’s teeth. Reading a positive children’s book about visiting the dentist can also make the environment seem more familiar.
Try to avoid sharing frightening dental stories or introducing words that might make the appointment sound threatening. It is also best not to use going to the dentist as a punishment.
Instead, explain the visit in simple terms. You might tell your child that the dentist is going to look at and count their teeth and help them learn how to keep their mouth healthy.
Centrepoint Dental has a family-focused approach to dental care, and Andrew Blake has a particular interest in children’s dentistry. You can learn more about the Centrepoint Dental team.
What If Your Child Is Nervous About the Dentist?
Some children are naturally cautious in unfamiliar environments. A dental clinic contains new people, sounds, equipment and surroundings, so hesitation during an early appointment is not unusual.
There is no need to make the first appointment into a test that your child has to “pass”.
Let the dental team know if your child is particularly nervous, has had a previous difficult healthcare experience or has individual needs that may affect the appointment. This gives the team useful information when deciding how to approach the visit.
Early visits can also help children gradually become familiar with the dental environment before they require treatment for a painful problem.
What Should Parents Be Doing at Home?
Dental visits are only one part of looking after children’s teeth. What happens at home each day also matters.
Parents and carers play an important role in helping children establish appropriate brushing and oral hygiene habits. Younger children generally require hands-on assistance because they do not yet have the dexterity needed to clean every tooth effectively.
Diet and drinks are also relevant to dental health, particularly the frequency with which teeth are exposed to sugars.
Your dentist can provide advice appropriate to your child’s age, teeth and individual risk factors rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
How Often Should Children Visit the Dentist?
There is no single appointment schedule that is appropriate for every child.
How often your child should return can depend on their age, oral health, tooth decay risk, development and other individual factors. Your dental practitioner can recommend an appropriate recall schedule after assessing your child.
The important point is not to assume that a dental visit is only necessary when your child complains of pain.
Regular dental checks can help identify changes that a parent may not be able to see at home and provide ongoing opportunities to discuss preventative care.
What About the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
Some Australian families may be eligible for assistance with dental costs through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, commonly called the CDBS.
Eligibility and benefit amounts are determined by the Australian Government and can change, so families should check their current eligibility through Services Australia rather than assuming their child is covered.
If eligible, the CDBS can contribute towards certain basic dental services.
It is worth checking your child’s eligibility and discussing available payment or benefit arrangements with the dental practice before treatment.
Building Healthy Dental Habits Early
A child’s first dental visit does not need to begin with a toothache.
Starting dental care early gives parents an opportunity to ask questions, have their child’s developing mouth assessed and receive advice relevant to their individual needs.
It can also help make visiting the dentist a more familiar part of looking after their health as they grow.
If your child’s first tooth has appeared, your child has not yet had a dental check-up, or you have concerns about their teeth, you can contact Centrepoint Dental Care in Tamworth to discuss an appointment.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about children’s dental health and is not intended as individual dental or medical advice. Every child’s oral health and development are different. A dentist or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional can assess your child’s individual needs and recommend suitable care.