10 Tips to Prepare for Your Baby’s First Dental Visit

Your baby’s first dental visit is a milestone and the first step toward a lifetime of healthy smiles. Taking care of their oral health from an early age builds a foundation for good oral hygiene habits in the future. Regular dental visits also ensure your child’s teeth and gums are developing properly and allow your child’s dentist to identify and address potential problems before they become serious.¹

When to Schedule Your Child's First Dental Exam

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling the first dental visit once your baby’s first tooth erupts or by their first birthday.² This first dental visit is usually brief and gentle, designed to allow them to meet the dentist and establish a positive association with dental care.³ It's completely normal if your child wiggles, cries or is fearful.⁴ Pediatric dental practices are skilled at working with young patients, ensuring they feel comfortable and safe throughout their visit.³

The dentist will show your child the different instruments and explain the procedures in an age-appropriate manner.³ They’ll likely perform a gentle visual exam of your child’s teeth, gums and jaw using a mirror, possibly with your child sitting on your lap.⁴ For older children, the dentist may do a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar or provide a fluoride treatment to strengthen teeth.³

The dentist will also offer guidance on proper brushing, flossing and dietary tips tailored to your child’s age and dental needs while answering any questions you may have.³

Knowing what to expect at the first dental visit will help you guide your child, answer their questions and alleviate any fear or anxiety.

Consider these tips to help your child’s first visit to the dentist go smoothly:

1. Opt for a Child-Friendly Dental Expert

Pediatric dentists complete specialized graduate training after dental school to care for infants, toddlers, children and those with special needs.² This includes training in child psychology, development and techniques like tell-show-do, where the dentist explains and demonstrates what they’re going to do to help kids feel more relaxed and confident in their care.⁵

Pediatric dental offices are often designed to create a positive, welcoming environment with kid-friendly decor and age-appropriate toys, books and games in the waiting room and child-themed exam rooms designed to reduce anxiety for both kids and parents.⁵

2. Tour the Dentist's Office

Many pediatric dental practices will offer a short tour after you’ve booked your child’s first visit. This pre-visit with your child can help prepare them for that first appointment, allowing them to get acquainted ahead of time with the dental staff and become familiar with the various sights and sounds they’ll encounter.⁶

3. Pick an Optimal Appointment Time

You know your child’s routines, rhythms and moods better than anyone. Schedule their appointment for a time when they are typically well-rested and in a good mood, such as in the morning or after a nap or meal. A well-fed or rested child is more likely to be receptive and cooperative in new environments.¹

4. Show Your Child Dental Books and Videos

Take advantage of the many books and videos available that feature well-known and loved characters visiting the dentist, which can help your child feel secure and confident when it’s time for their appointment. Your local children’s librarian is a good resource for recommendations, as is your child’s dental practice.¹

5. Play Dentist at Home

Children love to role-play, and playing dentist at home is a great way to familiarize them with the experience.³ Using your child’s toothbrush, have them sit in a chair then use a mirror to count and brush their teeth, explaining why it’s important.³ You can take turns and let your child count your teeth, or have them do the same with a favorite stuffed animal.¹

6. Model Positive Language and Behavior

Children pick up on our feelings — both positive and negative. It’s a good idea to do your best to minimize any personal feelings of anxiety you may have about the dentist and focus instead on presenting the dentist in a positive light to your child. Don’t use the dentist as a threat with your child for not taking care of their teeth.¹

Answer their questions without using too much explicit detail, and avoid words like “hurt,” “needle” or “pain,” as 90% of first visits don’t involve any kind of pain at all.⁶

7. Give Your Child a Light Meal and Brush Their Teeth Before the Visit

Provide your child with a light meal of some of their favorite foods and brush their teeth before the appointment so they won’t be hungry. Save any snacks for after the exam so your child’s teeth remain clean.⁴

8. Bring Comfort Items

Favorite stuffed animals, toys, blankets or books are almost always welcome at the first appointment, especially if they help your child feel safe, secure and calm in a new environment.³

9. Provide Positive Reinforcement

Your child is navigating a new experience and surroundings, so be patient and understanding. Let them know you’re proud of them for being brave, and focus on the positive aspects of the visit. Remember that pediatric dentists have seen it all. Don’t stress if your child cries or doesn’t comply with the dentist’s instructions. Each visit helps them become more comfortable and familiar with the dentist, making future appointments easier.³

10. Bring Along a List of Questions

Prepare a list of questions before the visit to ensure you cover all the topics that are important to you. Some questions to consider asking include:

• Should we be concerned about thumb-sucking or pacifier use?
• What can we do to prevent tooth decay?
• What can we expect as more teeth come in?
• What foods and drinks should my child avoid to promote good oral health?
• When should my child start using toothpaste with fluoride?

Asking questions during the visit will help you feel more confident in caring for your baby’s teeth and stay on top of their dental development.

Preparing for your baby’s first dental visit is a big step in promoting lifelong oral health. By scheduling the visit early, choosing the right pediatric dentist for your family and taking steps to introduce daily oral care at home, you can make the experience positive and stress-free. With the right preparation, you’ll not only help your baby get off to a great start but also instill healthy dental habits that will last a lifetime.

Dental Financing With the CareCredit Credit Card

Regular dental checkups are important to help prevent, identify and treat dental problems before they become more advanced. The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for dental exams, cosmetic dental procedures and other costs that insurance doesn’t cover — to help you keep your pearly whites bright and healthy.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist near you that accepts CareCredit. Make the most of your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to dental care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for pet care, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance and real estate/investing.