When should a child first see the dentist?
The Canadian Dental Association suggests a first visit within six months of the first tooth coming in, or by your child's first birthday. That is sooner than most parents expect, so do not worry if you are a little late. The first visit is short and easy.
We take a look at the teeth that are in, the gums, and how the jaw is growing. Then we sit down with you and talk about cleaning a baby's teeth, bottles and cups, soothers and thumb-sucking. Bring every question you have. These early visits also help your child get to know us. A child who has sat in our chair a few times when nothing was wrong feels much calmer on the day a tooth does need help.
What we do at each age
- Under three: a short first look once the first teeth are through, with plenty of time for your questions about cleaning, feeding and soothers.
- Three to six: regular check-ups and cleanings. We help your child get used to having their teeth counted and polished.
- Seven to twelve: sealants on the new adult molars. We watch how the adult teeth come in, and place fillings if they are needed.
- Teenagers: check-ups and cleanings, a look at the wisdom teeth, and friendly advice on straightening if the teeth are crowded.
If we find something, we will show you and explain it in plain words. We will tell you if it needs care now, or if we can just keep an eye on it. You can read more about what an examination covers.
Why baby teeth are worth looking after
Baby teeth do fall out, but not for years. The back ones often stay until your child is ten to twelve. Until then, your child chews and talks with them, and they save the space the adult teeth will need. When a baby tooth is lost early to decay, the teeth beside it can drift into the gap.
Decay in a baby tooth can also hurt, and it can spread. When we catch a cavity while it is small, a white filling is a short, simple visit. That is why we like to see children often: small problems stay small.
Sealants
The chewing surfaces of most molars have deep grooves that a toothbrush cannot reach into. A sealant is a thin coating painted into those grooves once the adult molars arrive, usually around ages six and twelve. It takes a few minutes for each tooth and needs no freezing.
If your child is nervous
That is completely normal. Most children are, the first time. We go at your child's pace. We show them the mirror and the polisher before we use them, we tell them what each thing will feel like, and we stop whenever they ask. You are welcome to stay in the room the whole time. If a first visit ends with only a ride in the chair and a look at the front teeth, we call that a great first visit.
If a tooth is knocked out or broken
- A baby tooth that is knocked out should not be put back in. Give us a call so we can check the gum and the adult tooth underneath.
- An adult tooth that is knocked out needs help right away. Hold it by the white part, rinse it gently without scrubbing, and put it back in the socket if you can. If you cannot, keep it in cold milk and come straight in.
- For a chipped tooth or a toothache that will not settle, please call us the same day.
Our dental emergencies page tells you what to do before you reach us.