The First Visit to the Dentist
As your little one’s first teeth come through, you might wonder when the first trip to the dentist is coming. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics all agree: a child’s first dental visit should happen by age 1, or within six months of the first tooth’s eruption.
- Why so early? It is good to get an early start in order to ensure proper gum and tooth hygiene, as well as to double check that teeth are coming in nicely. Catching cavities and early decay is important and can prevent unnecessary pain, infection, eating and even speaking troubles.
- Research from The Center of Pediatric Dentistry shows that kids who begin dental check‑ups before age 1 can have 40 % lower dental costs in the first 5 years compared to children with later visits.
First teeth are a major part of early childhood development, and we love seeing the babies in our care learn, grow and develop here at Summit Prep Academy. Schedule a tour today to see our infant rooms and meet our lovely teachers.
What does that first visit look like?
Typically having a duration of 30–45 minutes, your child’s first dental exam focuses on prevention and development, as well as easing littles into the process of dental care. This might include an evaluation of teeth and gums, a gentle cleaning, and any home care coaching such as pacifier/thumb sucking guidance or feeding tips. Establishing a ‘dental home’ can ensure consistent preventative care, as well as increase familiarity and trust between your little one and your dental provider (source).
We normalize routine health checks here at Summit Prep Academy and discuss basic hygiene, read books on dentist and doctor visits and are happy to recommend any tools we’ve used for your at-home utilization, as well. Schedule a tour today and ask our teachers about their favorite hygiene-normalizing books and activities.
Tips to Make the First Visit Smooth & Fun
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Choose a pediatric‑trained dentist
A pediatric-specific dentist can help minimize dental fear and strives to make their clinic fun! They are trained and practiced in behavior guidance and kid-friendly communication (source).
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Timing is everything
Scheduling a morning visit while your child is more rested can be incredibly helpful. Avoiding nap times can reduce fussiness and make for an overall better experience. in the morning when your child is rested (source).
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Talk it up—positively!
Use upbeat language: “They’ll count your teeth and make them sparkle!” Verbiage like this can make the visit sound exciting, rather than worrisome. Sharing with your little one what they can expect helps clear away any uncertainty shrouding the situation. Be intentional not to project and overshare your dental anxieties with them (source).
We are more than happy to support your little one’s visit by having positive conversations within our classrooms about dental and medical check-ups. Come for a visit to see how our early childhood educators interact with and help their students to grow here at Summit Prep Academy.
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Role‑play at home
Pretend play dentist with a favorite toy—brushing, counting, etc. This boosts comfort and confidence!
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Visit the office beforehand
Scheduling a pre‑appointment tour gives little ones a chance to explore the new environment and meet the various staff members they might see on the day of their visit; this can aid in making their first appointment less overwhelming.
Here at Summit Prep Academy we definitely support that familiarity can help reduce the anxiety of something new! Schedule a tour to see our classrooms and meet our teachers–and bring your little ones along! -
Bring comfort items
Let your child bring their favorite toy, blanket, or even book along with them to their first appointment. Dentists often welcome these comfort items for the calming effect they can bring to children. Your little one can even request that the dentist or hygienist take a look at their toys ‘teeth’ before examining their own.
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Read together
Pick up a kid’s book or video about going to the dentist to prepare them emotionally and open up discussion about their visit. Here are a handful of books that might be helpful:
- Just Going to the Dentist: Golden Look-Look Book
- Going to the Dentist by Anne Civardi
- The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan Berenstain & Jan Berenstain
- What to Expect When You Go to the Dentist by Heidi Murkoff
- Narwhal’s Sweet Tooth by Ben Clanton
- Daniel Goes to the Dentist by Alexandra Cassel Schwartz (Adapter), Jason Fruchter (Illustrator) — This is also an excellent episode on PBS Kids, as well.
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Stay calm and supportive
Let your little one express their concerns. Sometimes voicing fears and talking through them with a trusted adult can make a huge difference. A reward or something to look forward to after the appointment is always a winner in helping keep things positive.
Healthy Teeth and a Bright Start
Healthy teeth can help set children off on the right path. Not only does early dental care help support clear communication and comfortable eating, but it can help with confidence, as well. A clean, healthy smile means more to children then even they might know and sets them on a path for good hygiene health.
Scheduling an early first dental visit and reinforcing good oral hygiene habits, parents, childcare providers, and early childhood educators can support a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles.
We would love to help support your family here at Summit Prep Academy. Let us know if your child has a dental or medical exam coming up and we will be happy to incorporate books and activities that help reduce any anxiety into our schedule. Setting your children up for success is what we’re here for! Call today to schedule a tour!