A child should see a pediatric dentist by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth erupting. Early visits help prevent cavities, monitor development, and establish a dental home where your child becomes comfortable with routine dental care.
Early pediatric dental visits also allow parents to learn proper brushing techniques, diet guidance, and cavity prevention strategies.
Establishing an oral care routine early prevents decay and helps your child more easily accept help with brushing once the first tooth appears. Be persistent. Establishing consistent and effective brushing is much easier and less expensive than addressing dental issues later.
Bacteria that contribute to tooth decay are present even before the first baby tooth arrives. After feedings – right from birth – wipe the inside of the baby’s mouth, including the tongue and gums, with a clean, soft cloth to remove leftover breast milk or formula.
Once the first tooth erupts, begin to brush at least twice daily. The most effective way to brush is with your baby lying down. Apply a smear (less than a rice-sized amount) of toothpaste to an age-appropriate, soft-bristled toothbrush. Lift baby’s lips to better see, angle the bristles toward the gums and move the brush in a circular motion along the gum line. Having a partner to help you with the brushing can sometimes make the experience quicker and more fun for the child.
During your child’s first appointment, our pediatric dentist will complete a gentle, age-appropriate exam to evaluate your child’s teeth, gums, and jaw development. We’ll review their medical and dental history, perform a soft cleaning if needed, and provide personalized guidance on cavity prevention, brushing habits, and at-home care. Most importantly, we take time to answer your questions so you feel confident about your child’s oral health.
Our goal is to help every child feel safe, comfortable, and supported while building a positive relationship with dental care from the very beginning.
To prepare your child for their first visit, we encourage parents to avoid over-explaining the process. You can explain that the pediatric dentist will count and clean their teeth and help keep their smile healthy. Focus on positive language and keep it casual. Try not to use negative language (such as needles, shots and drill) and avoid using the possibility of cavities as a punishment for not brushing or food choices day-to-day.
We want to keep it positive! The best advice is to keep the conversations simple and allow the experience to speak for itself.
Bringing comfort items, completing new patient forms ahead of time, and scheduling earlier in the day can also help the appointment run more smoothly and help the child feel more relaxed.
Watching our Office Walkthrough video may help your child prepare for their visit.
Yes, parents are always welcome to accompany their child during appointments. However, in many cases we encourage children to go back independently when appropriate, as this helps build trust, confidence, and a positive relationship with our pediatric dental team.
Most first pediatric dental visits take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the child’s age and needs. First visits are focused on building comfort, completing an exam, and educating parents about oral health.
Please bring completed new patient forms, insurance information and card, a list of medications, and any comfort items your child may need. Completing paperwork ahead of time helps your pediatric dentist team focus more on your child’s care.
Children should visit a pediatric dentist every six months for routine exams and cleanings. Regular visits help prevent cavities, monitor development, and ensure early detection of dental concerns.
Some children may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs.
Yes, we provide emergency pediatric dental care for children experiencing tooth pain, injury, swelling, or trauma. If your child has a dental emergency, contact our office right away so we can provide prompt guidance and care.
When brushing teeth is a normal part of the morning and nightly routine, children come to expect it. There may be times where your child may be more reluctant to brush, but remember that consistency is key.
Using a brushing chart for rewards might help encourage your child to brush. Get your Toothbrushing Tracker here to help encourage brushing at home. There are also a lot of great apps that can help make brushing fun! Here is a list of some resources that may help. The best advice we can give is to make it FUN!
We accept most dental insurance plans and are happy to help answer questions about your claims and coverage. If you provide current insurance information, we will file your dental claim as a courtesy to you. Some insurance companies cover only a portion of your visit.
Please review your policy and benefits before your appointment so you are fully aware of any limitations. Although we are happy to help you estimate your share of treatment costs, we do not have a contract with your insurance company and can never guarantee what your insurance will or will not cover on each claim. We are currently in-network for Delta Dental and Health Partners benefit plans.
A pediatric dentist has two to three years of additional, specialty training after dental school. Their training focuses on pediatric growth and development, behavior management, in addition to providing oral healthcare and preventative guidance for children from infancy through adolescence, including patients with special needs.
Our pediatric dentists are board-certified, meaning they have completed advanced specialty training beyond dental school, including 2–3 years of residency focused exclusively on children’s dentistry. They have also passed rigorous examinations through the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and continue ongoing education each year to stay current with the latest, evidence-based care for infants, children, and teens.
