It may sound like a lot of unnecessary tears, discomfort, and stress to take your baby to the dentist. They don’t even have teeth yet! Why would you take your baby to the dentist?
By taking your baby to the dentist before their first birthday, you will establish a healthy oral care routine for your child and give your baby a head start on a healthy smile. Even before their first teeth come in, it’s important to keep their gums clean and pay attention to how their mouth is developing.
Don’t worry, though! A child’s first dental visit is usually pretty gentle and is meant to simply establish a care plan and identify early steps to set your baby up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and bright smiles.
To help you prepare and ease the stress, here are some of the most common questions and answers about your baby’s first dental visit.
See available plansWhen should a child first go to the dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your baby visits a dentist before their first birthday. Why? Nationwide Children’s Hospital reported that “1 in 4 children in the US have had a cavity by the age of 4.”
Especially if you’re a first-time parent, it’s a good idea to bring your baby to the dentist and talk to them about how to prepare for teething, avoiding things like baby bottle tooth decay, and spotting early signs of problems in their baby teeth.
Learn what happens at your child’s first dentist appointment and how to prepare with this guide to your child’s oral health.
What happens at your kid's first dental appointment?
A dental exam for a baby typically lasts about 30-45 minutes. Sometimes, this includes a gentle cleaning, but don’t be surprised if that doesn’t happen during the first visit.
Expect to answer questions about your baby's medical history. Bring a list of any medications, the name and contact number of your pediatrician, and information about your dental insurance.
The dentist will also check for healthy growth and development by examining bite, gums, and overall structure of the mouth and jaw. And as a bonus, you might score some quality tips for soothing a teething baby and saving your sleep-deprived sanity.
If you’re nervous, it helps to write down questions beforehand so you don’t forget to ask.
What to do before your child's first dentist appointment
First of all, don’t worry! Pediatric dentists are very experienced in caring for young patients!
To ensure your visit goes smoothly:
1. Prepare documentation:
We’ve already mentioned this but your dentist will likely ask you about you and your baby’s medical history. Have any prescriptions, doctors' notes, and your pediatrician’s contact information available.
2. Write down your questions so you don't forget to ask them.
3. Practice:
Your baby probably already likes toys and games. So role play to introduce them to the experience. They may even find it fun! Let your child safely play with a small handheld mirror and a toothbrush under supervision. Maybe even let them try to brush your teeth and show them the inside of your mouth with the mirror.
4. Learn what calms your child:Does your child have a blanket or stuffed animal that calms them? Make sure to have that ready and allow them to hold onto it during the visit.
How to keep your baby's mouth healthy
Even before your baby’s teeth start to develop, you’ll want to keep their gums clean so their baby teeth grow into a healthy mouth. Wash their gums with damp gauze or a clean washcloth during bath time.
Remember that formula, juice, baby food, even breast milk all contain natural sugars. To keep these sugars from building up on your baby's gums and their first teeth, substitute plain water for these liquids in their bottle at night, so the baby doesn’t have unregulated access to sugar.
Babies tend to fall asleep while breastfeeding. Don’t let them stay attached while they sleep.
For a more comprehensive overview of childhood oral health, read our guide here.
Does insurance cover exams for babies?
Raising a child is expensive, but going to the dentist doesn’t have to be.
Many dental insurance plans have low or no out-of-pocket costs for routine checkups and cleanings. Dental exams for infants usually fall under the category of “preventative care.” This means that unless the dentist finds cavities or other unexpected problems, you’ll likely pay little to nothing for your child’s first visit.
That being said, every insurance plan is different, so check with your insurance provider about the specifics of your coverage. After that? Schedule a first dental exam for your baby, and check one item off your new-parent to-do list.
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