Medically reviewed by the clinical team at Kapoor's Safe Hands Dental
Many parents wait until their child complains of a toothache before booking a first dental visit. It's understandable, but a gentle early visit makes a real difference. It helps your child get used to the dentist, and it lets us spot small problems before they turn into painful ones.
Key takeaways
- Book a first visit by your child's first birthday or within six months of the first tooth.
- Early visits are short and mostly about getting comfortable.
- Use a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste under age 3, and a pea-sized amount from 3 to 6.
- Sealants protect back teeth soon after they come through.
- Never use the dentist as a threat.
The Right Age for a First Visit
A good rule is to book a first visit by your child's first birthday, or within about six months of the first tooth appearing. At that age the visit is short and mostly about looking, getting comfortable and giving you advice on brushing, feeding and teething.
What Happens at the First Visit
- We talk with you about feeding habits, brushing, thumb-sucking and any worries
- We gently check the teeth, gums, jaws and bite
- For older children we may polish the teeth and apply fluoride
- We show you how to brush and floss for your child's age
- X-rays are only taken if there's a real need
How to Prepare Your Child
- Talk about the dentist in a cheerful, matter-of-fact way
- Avoid words like hurt, needle or pain
- Book a time when your child is rested and fed
- Never use the dentist as a threat, as in 'if you don't brush, the dentist will pull your teeth'
- Let them bring a small toy or comforter
Caring for Baby Teeth at Home
- Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears
- Under age 3, use a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice
- From age 3 to 6, use a pea-sized amount
- Help your child brush until they can manage well alone, often around 7 or 8
- Keep sweets and sugary drinks to mealtimes, and don't put a baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice
Fluoride and Sealants
Fluoride strengthens enamel and helps prevent cavities. Sealants are a thin protective coating placed on the grooves of the back teeth, where food and bacteria collect. They're usually done soon after the permanent molars appear, at around age 6 and again around age 12.
When to Come Sooner
- White, brown or black spots on the teeth
- Your child complains of pain, or avoids chewing on one side
- Swelling of the gum or face
- A knock or fall that has chipped, loosened or displaced a tooth
- Thumb-sucking or a dummy habit that continues past age 4
Dental Milestones by Age
| Age | What to expect | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 12 months | First teeth appear | Start brushing, book a first visit by age 1 |
| 1 to 3 years | Baby teeth come in | Rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste, avoid night-time bottles |
| 3 to 6 years | Full set of baby teeth | Pea-sized fluoride toothpaste, help with brushing |
| 6 to 7 years | First permanent molars arrive | Ask about sealants |
| 11 to 13 years | Second permanent molars arrive | Reassess sealants and cleaning habits |
For sports-loving kids, ask us about custom mouth guards. If you'd like to know how we treat cavities in children, our page on tooth-coloured fillings explains the process, and our kids dentistry page covers everything we offer.
Ready to book your child's first check-up?
We'll keep it short, gentle and pressure-free. Call or message us to pick a time.
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