What happens at my child's first dentist visit?

Plan your child's first dental visit within six months after the first tooth appears, but no later than the first birthday. Consider it a "well baby checkup" for your child's teeth. At the dental visit, the dental team will:

• check on oral hygiene, injuries, cavities, or other problems
• find out your child's risk of getting tooth decay
• assess how the teeth are developing
• let you know if your child may later need treatment for crooked teeth or a "bad bite"
• provide advice to help you take care of your child's oral health

During a first dental visit, you will need to answer some basic questions to help your dentist understand your medical history and determine your dental needs. Let your dentist know whether you smoke or drink, what medicines you take, and your family history of illness and disease. Following your initial examination, your dentist can recommend a treatment approach that meets your needs.