When Should Toddlers Have Their First Dental Exam

Typically, your child should start seeing the dentist around their first birthday. Because each child is unique, your dentist might recommend coming in for an appointment earlier or later than this. Most children have all their baby teeth by the time they are two and a half years old. In some cases, your dentist will want to see your child before their first birthday if there is a concern about teething.

Toddlers are often terrified of the dentist’s office, but for your children to overcome their fear and be happy patients at an early age, you should start by preparing them ahead of time.

What to Expect at the Dentist’s Office

If you want to make sure your child feels comfortable, a good trick is to introduce them to the dentist on their first visit. A good children’s dentist will explain each step of a checkup with young ones and show them some tools that might be used during treatment. Your dentist might also have your toddler sit on your lap. If your child gets too uncomfortable during any part of the procedure, the dentist should stop it until the child is ready for more exposure.

Since the spitting cup can make some scary noises, the children’s dentist will show your child what happens when they salivate into the special cup. In addition, children are often fascinated with using a mirror to look at their own teeth.

Finally, the dentist will polish your child’s mouth with a rotary toothbrush. They’ll also let them see and hear it beforehand so they can be at ease when the process starts.

Your toddler will feel much better about their first dental appointment if they know what to expect beforehand. In addition, it’s important for parents to be calm and patient with their children while at the dentist. In this way, you can help your child overcome any fears they have of visiting the dentist.