Over a quarter of children in the United States have had at least one cavity by the age of four. To help prevent problems such as decay and cavities, it’s vital that children are taken for regular checkups to the dentist so they can learn from a young age the importance of caring for their teeth.

Preparing a child for their first visit to the dentist should be both an encouraging and positive experience.


What age to visit

Many parents are unaware how old their child should be for their first visit to the dentist and often leave it until damage to their baby teeth has already begun. As soon as their first tooth has emerged, they are susceptible to decay, even more so once they’re eating solid food. The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry both recommend that children’s first visit to the dentist should be around the age of one year.

Choosing the dentist

Try locating a dental surgery that is appealing to little ones. For instance, many dentists have brightly colored walls and ceilings with child friendly posters featuring cartoon-style teeth or recognizable children’s characters. Also look out for a waiting room with a children’s play area which can prove invaluable for keeping children amused until they are called for their appointment. Alternatively, seek a pediatric dentist as they are specially trained to deal with children’s teeth and their behavior patterns, or ask other parents whether they could recommend one.

What to tell them

If a child has never been inside a dental surgery before or if they are very young, they’ll have no preconceptions about what to expect. Therefore, as long as they are old enough to understand, explain a little about what might happen on their first visit. This could include sitting in the dentist’s chair which could actually be fun, particularly as they’ll be the center of attention. Also mention the tools the dentist might use to have a look inside their mouth. Give them encouraging incentives such as the possibility of a reward they might receive after the visit. For instance, dentists often hand out stickers to children at the end of the checkup.

Before the first visit

Familiarity with the dentist can make the visit easier. If possible, bring the child along when other members of the family go for a checkup, though not if they’re having major work done! Also, consider buying a small dental mirror then pretend to set up a small dental surgery at home. Get them to sit in a chair, open their mouth and practice saying ‘ahhh’ while examining their teeth with the mirror. This can get them used to the idea of someone inspecting inside their mouth while helping them understand what to expect once they’re in the dentist’s chair, or sitting in their mother’s lap if they are very young.

On the day

Just before setting off for the dentist, give their teeth a gentle clean. As well as presenting a set of sparkling teeth for inspection, it will also provide the dentist with an indication as to how well their teeth are being cleaned.

How to prepare a child for their first visit to the dentist will depend partly on their age. Very young children will need minimal preparation, while those who are older should be given simple facts about dental checkup procedures as well as being given plenty of encouragement. By taking children to the dentist at regular intervals from an early age, they’ll be far less likely to suffer from the unnecessary dental cavities that plague so many children. And importantly, they will learn that visiting the dentist is a normal part of life and certainly nothing to be feared.