Yesterday, another mom asked me about taking my son to his first dentist appointment. It made me realize that before becoming a parent, I had no idea when babies were supposed to see a dentist, or what to expect once we got there.

When did he have his first appointment?

I scheduled his first appointment when he was 12 months old. The timing can vary depending on your child’s oral health, how many teeth they have, and your dentist’s recommendations. My son already had about eight teeth, and there was one spot on the back of a tooth that I wanted a professional to check to make sure everything looked normal.

What about insurance?

If you have dental insurance, make sure the dentist you plan to see is in-network with your insurance. In our case, we decided to go private pay so that he could go to a dentist that our family had been to. Call your local dental office and see what their costs are. Do you need to fill out any forms prior to your visit? Our dental office offers free first exams for children under three. The only optional charge was for fluoride treatment.

What did they do at his first appointment?

The first office visit is about building a rapport with your child and introducing them to the dentist’s office and what it entails. Our dentist showed me the easiest way to hold him on my lap so she could examine him. He didn’t cry at all.

His dentist checked his teeth to make sure they were developing properly. She asked about his diet and what it consisted of and whether he was still nursing. They also checked for a tongue tie or lip tie since my son’s tongue tie had reattached after his newborn procedure. The dentist checked the one area I was concerned about and also talked about what good oral hygiene looks like at home and what future dental visits may look like. He did not receive a cleaning this visit, but can expect one if he tolerates it well next visit.

How often does he need to go to the dentist?

That’s really parental discretion and insurance. Since my son has buildup around his gums despite brushing twice a day, and fights me like an alligator! We will probably stick with every 6 months for now.

Do they use fluoride?

Find a dentist who aligns with your approach and educates you on both sides before choosing. Remember, you can revisit that decision at each appointment; you don’t have to make the same choice every time.

How long was your appointment?

I would say we waited 20-30 minutes from start to finish. Bring a small toy, a snack, and something to drink while you wait and you should be fine.

What We Use at Home

We rotate between Dr. Brown’s ToothScrubber Toothbrush which offers three-sided brushing, and Dr. Brown’s Infant to Toddler Toothbrush. We use Himalaya Botanique Kids Nano Hydroxyapatite Fluoride Free Toothpaste.

If you only take one thing away from this, let it be this: Don’t stress, mama. You’ve got this. God made you your baby’s mom. You are your baby’s biggest advocate.

With healthy smiles, big firsts, and happy hearts – The No Bull Mommy