What to Expect at Your Child's First Dental Visit

Your child’s first dental visit is an important and exciting milestone. In addition to monitoring your child’s oral health and development, regular pediatric dental care sets your kids up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. It also helps your child form a good relationship with their dentist, which is one of the best ways to prevent dental anxiety and fear in the future.

At Oasis Pediatric Dental Care & Orthodontics, our pediatric dentist, Dr. Nathalie Phaeton, and our orthodontist, Dr. Ki Youn Kil, cover all of your child’s dental needs, including their first visit, at our office in Falls Church, Virginia.

What to expect at your child’s first dental visit

Every child develops at their own rate, but the first tooth usually erupts around the age of six months. The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) generally advise that you schedule your child’s first dental visit by the age of one, or six months after the first tooth has erupted.

It might be hard to believe, but that first tooth and dental appointment will tell our dentists (and you) a lot about how your child’s oral health and development is progressing, what you can expect as their teeth continue to erupt, and how to care for their new teeth and adorable little gums. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions and share any concerns you may have with Dr. Phaeton and our team.

What’s included in your baby’s first dental appointment 

Your child receives a full exam of their teeth and gums. It’s important to remember that even baby teeth are vulnerable to tooth decay, so this is the most important aspect of the appointment. 

Our dentists also examine their jaw and bite pattern, and order X-rays, if necessary, so you know exactly what’s going on with your child’s oral health. We also give their teeth a gentle cleaning.

We go over the best way to clean and care for your baby’s teeth and gums at home, and discuss any issues or concerns around bottle feeding versus breastfeeding, thumb sucking, pacifier use, family history, and all of the factors that can affect your child’s oral health and dental development in the short- and long-term.

Finally, your child’s first dental visit is the start of their relationship with our office and dental team. We make sure that you and the little patient are comfortable and well taken care of so that your baby feels at home and won’t be afraid to come back for regular visits!

For more information about how to prepare for your child’s first dental visit, or if you have any questions about the dentistry services available at Oasis Pediatric Dental Care & Orthodontics, call us at 703-498-2440 today to schedule an appointment. You can also schedule online.