Infants first dental visit

There are three main reasons why you will want to take your 6- to 12-month-old to their first dental exam.

What is the purpose of an infant's first visit?

An infant's first visit to the dentist (usually sometime between the age of 6 and 12 months) allows the parent to know if their home care routine is working, if the infant's teeth are developing appropriately, and starts building trust between the family and the dental practitioner.

Know if your home care routine is working

Infant teeth are softer than adult teeth, and need special care to maintain them for the first few years of your child’s life. For example, after babies finish drinking milk, one way to prevent cavities from occurring is by wiping down their teeth and gums with a wet cloth or a very soft toothbrush. You may wish to discuss with your dentist is whether your home care routine is working for you and your child.

Learn if your child's teeth are developing appropriately

For example, sometimes baby teeth come in crooked or crowded. It’s nice to know at this point if that is likely to cause issues down the road, or if it the teeth will straighten out all on their own.

Start building rapport between your child and their dentist

This is so that later on, there is already a relationship of trust. That extra human connection can help put your child at ease as they grow.

What do the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) and Canadian Dental Association (CDA) recommend?

The ODA and the CDA recommend that kids have their first dental check-up within 6 months of getting their first tooth, and at the latest around their first birthday. These early visits help keep children’s teeth healthy and help educate caregivers on how to take care of infant and toddler teeth.