Your child's first visit to the dentist

When should your child see the dentist for the first time? Earlier than most parents think. And that first visit — short, and usually with no treatment at all — sets the tone for years to come. Here's how to prepare for it.

At what age?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends a first visit within six months of the first tooth coming in, and no later than around the first birthday. That often comes as a surprise: at that age there are only a few teeth. But that's exactly the point. We check that everything is developing normally, catch the early signs of early-childhood decay, and above all answer parents' questions about brushing, bottles, pacifiers and food. The child, meanwhile, learns that the dentist's chair isn't a scary place.

If your child is already two, three or five and has never seen a dentist, that's fine. The right time is now.

How to prepare your child

• Talk about it simply and positively: "The dentist is going to count your teeth and see how strong they are."
• Avoid worrying words (needle, hurt, pull) and promises like "it won't hurt," which suggest the opposite.
• Read a book or watch a short video about going to the dentist; play at counting a stuffed animal's teeth.
• Pick a time when your child is rested and has eaten, rather than nap time.
• Stay calm yourself: children pick up on their parents' anxiety more than we realize.
• Bring their health insurance card and a list of any medications or allergies.

What happens during the visit

A first visit is mostly an introduction. Depending on age, the child sits in the chair, on a parent's lap, or "knee to knee" between the parent and the dentist. The dentist gently examines the teeth, gums, tongue and jaw, checks how the teeth come together and looks for the first white spots that signal decay. There are usually no X-rays for toddlers unless there's a specific reason. For older children, the hygienist may do a cleaning, apply fluoride or, when the permanent molars come in, suggest sealants.

The rest of the time is for talking: how to brush (twice a day, with an age-appropriate amount of fluoride toothpaste), when to start flossing, how to limit juice and sugary snacks, what to do about the pacifier or thumb. Leave with your questions asked — none of them is too simple.

If the visit doesn't go as planned, if your child cries or refuses to open their mouth, it isn't a failure. It happens often, and we try again another time. What matters is that the first experience stays short, gentle, and ends on a positive note.