The American Dental Association recommends taking your child to the dentist for the first time by their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth erupting—whichever comes first.
This early-visit guideline is also endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics. So if you have been wondering when to take your baby to the dentist, the answer from the country’s leading dental authorities is clear: sooner than most parents expect.
At The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix, our experienced infant dentistry professionals protect the oral health of children of all ages, including babies who are ready for this first dental visit milestone. We accept AHCCCS so your baby’s first visit is affordable, and we are happy to walk you through which services are covered before you come in.
In this article, we cover why it is important to bring your infant to the dentist at this key time, how to prepare your child for the visit, and what you can expect during the visit.
To learn more about your child’s first visit to the dentist, call The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix dental team at (602) 903-4894. You can also contact us online to ask a question or schedule a dental appointment.
When Should Baby Go to the Dentist, and Why Do Early Visits Help Prevent Cavities?
There are several good reasons to bring your baby to the dentist within the time frame we outlined above.
The Need for Early Dental Hygiene Care
Possibly the most important thing is that the need to keep teeth clean begins from the moment they first appear.
Baby teeth are vulnerable to decay, and even though these teeth are temporary before adult teeth set in, cavities and gum disease can make your baby extremely uncomfortable. Also, through early dental visits, our pediatric dentists can identify potential oral health problems that may affect your child later, such as issues that can affect how the permanent teeth come in.
Establishing a Dental Home for Your Child
When your child has a pediatric dentist who is involved from the outset in his or her dental treatment needs, it makes longer-term monitoring and guidance of oral health care, and, where needed, the preparation of personalized treatment plans, more practical and efficient.
The sooner your child gets used to regular dental visits, the easier it becomes to see the dentist’s office as a positive place rather than a source of anxiety.
How Can You Care for Your Baby’s Teeth Before the First Dental Visit?
Ideally, the first visit to the dentist for your child will be a wellness visit, not a treatment visit. You can help prevent cavities by regularly cleaning your baby’s gums before any teeth erupt.
This can be as simple as wiping your baby’s gums once or twice a day with a clean, damp, soft cloth or an infant gum brush. Doing this will help prevent bacteria from building up on the gums and help your child become accustomed to regular oral health practices early.
As soon as the first baby tooth appears, it is time to start brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush topped with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. Do this twice a day, most importantly before putting your infant to bed for the night.
It is also a good practice to inspect your child’s teeth and gums at least once a month for white or dark spots on teeth or red, swollen, or bleeding gums. These are early signs of decay, and if you see them, then you should schedule a visit with us.
Avoid Creating Bad Oral Habits Early
For long-term oral health, practice healthy habits and avoid the bad ones. For example:
- Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle or a sippy cup. This is especially true when it comes to leaving your baby with sweetened drinks, milk, or formula that can serve as food for mouth bacteria that contribute to baby bottle tooth decay and gum disease.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding fruit juice for children under 1 year of age because of its high sugar content and limiting it thereafter.
- Similarly, avoid dipping your baby’s pacifier in honey, sugar, or syrup to reduce the risk of cavities.
What Can You Expect on Your Child’s First Dental Visit?
Your baby’s first dental appointment will ordinarily be short and gentle, and involve a quick examination of your baby’s teeth, gums, and jaw development by one of our pediatric dentists. It can often be done with your baby on your lap.
The purpose of this oral tissue exam is mainly to look for potential oral health issues, to educate you on routine care and preventive care steps you can take in between future regular dental checkups and cleanings, and to allow you to ask questions.
We begin the exam by asking you about your child’s medical and oral health, including feeding routines, pacifier habits, nighttime habits, oral hygiene, and how your child is adjusting to teething. If your child uses a pacifier or engages in behaviors like thumb sucking, we will discuss with you how these habits can affect baby teeth.
We may also ask about your family dental history, as some childhood dental issues, like early tooth decay, can be hereditary.
If we find any potential problems or you notice any, we can advise you on treatment options.
Affordable First Dental Visits with AHCCCS and KidsCare
We know cost is one of the biggest reasons parents put off a baby’s first dental visit. It does not have to be. Our pediatric dentists accept AHCCCS, and we file claims on your behalf so you do not have to navigate the paperwork.
AHCCCS—Arizona’s Medicaid program—covers the full cost of medically necessary dental care for eligible children under 19, including routine exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, fillings, and emergency visits.
If your household income is too high to qualify for AHCCCS, you may still qualify for KidsCare, Arizona’s CHIP program, which currently has no monthly premiums for enrolled families and includes comprehensive dental coverage for kids.
Not Sure When to Take Your Baby to the Dentist? Call Us Today
If your baby’s first tooth has made its appearance, or if he or she has reached that first birthday, contact The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix today to discuss your child’s oral health needs and to schedule a first dentist visit with us.
By starting early, you can help your child feel comfortable with dental care and lay a healthy foundation for later childhood, adolescence, and teenage years.
There is no reason to delay your baby’s first dental visit with us. As covered above, AHCCCS and KidsCare can make your child’s dental care free or affordable—we are happy to walk you through what your plan covers.
Have questions about which services are covered under your AHCCCS or KidsCare plan?
Call The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix at (602) 903-4894 to speak with one of our experienced and compassionate child dentists, or you can use our online contact form.