Your Child’s First Dental Visit: What to Expect

The Canadian Dental Association recommends a child’s first dental visit within six months of their first tooth coming in, or by their first birthday. Many parents wait until something hurts. An early visit is easier on everyone because nothing is wrong yet, so the first trip to the dentist is just a look around.

When to book

Book once the first tooth shows up, or around age one. If your child is older and hasn’t been yet, just book now. We see kids at every age, and a first visit at four goes the same way as a first visit at one, only with more talking.

Call sooner if you notice white or brown spots on the teeth, a chipped tooth after a fall, or swelling in the gums.

What happens at the first visit

For babies and toddlers, the exam usually happens on your lap, facing you, with your child’s head resting back toward the dentist. It’s quick. We count the teeth, look at the gums, and check how the teeth are coming in.

Then we talk with you. Most of the visit is for the parent:

• How to brush a baby’s teeth, and how much toothpaste to use at each age
• Bottles, sippy cups and bedtime milk, and how they affect teeth
• Thumb sucking and soothers, and when they start to matter
• Fluoride, and whether your child needs more of it

Older kids sit in the chair on their own. They get to see the tools, count their teeth with the mirror, and usually have a cleaning if they’re comfortable with it.

How to get your child ready

Keep it low-key. Tell them the dentist is going to count their teeth and see how strong they are. Skip words like “hurt” or “needle,” even to reassure them, because kids pick up on those.

A morning appointment usually works better than one after a long day. Bring a favourite toy if it helps. If an older sibling already likes the dentist, bring them along so the younger one can watch.

We have Saturday appointments from 8 am to 3 pm, so you don’t have to pull anyone out of school or daycare.

After the first visit

Most kids come back every six months for a check-up and cleaning, the same as adults. Regular visits mean small problems get caught while they’re still small, and your child gets used to the dentist before they ever need a filling. Read more about our kids’ dentistry and what a cleaning and check-up includes.

Coverage and CDCP

Most family dental plans cover children’s check-ups and cleanings. We also accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). Bring your child’s member card and we’ll handle the claim with Sun Life. With private insurance, you pay at the visit and we send the claim electronically, and your insurer pays you back directly.

Common questions

How old should my child be for their first dental visit?

Within six months of the first tooth, or by age one. If your child is older and hasn’t been, book now.

Do baby teeth really matter if they fall out anyway?

Yes. Baby teeth hold space for adult teeth and help kids chew and speak. A cavity in a baby tooth can still hurt and get infected.

Can I stay with my child during the visit?

Yes. For young children you’ll be right there, and the exam often happens on your lap.

Where are you?

9300 Keele St, Unit 1, in Maple, one block north of Rutherford Road, with free parking. From Woodbridge, head east on Rutherford to Keele. See directions from Woodbridge.

Book your child’s first visit

Call 905-832-4886. We’re open Saturdays from 8 am to 3 pm and Wednesdays until 8 pm.