Your child's first dental visit: when to go and what happens
A first dental visit is mostly about getting your child used to the dentist and catching problems early, long before anything hurts. This guide explains when to go, how to prepare your child, what happens at the visit and how to look after baby teeth at home.
When to book the first visit
Children's dentists recommend a first visit by your child's first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth coming through, whichever is sooner. Most babies get their first tooth at around six months. If your child is older and has never been, it is not too late: book a check-up now.
At Healthpoint, children's check-ups are free. See dentistry for children.
Why baby teeth matter
Baby teeth help children chew, speak clearly and smile with confidence, and they hold the space for the adult teeth underneath. Decay in baby teeth can cause pain and infection, make eating difficult and, if a tooth is lost early, let the other teeth drift into the gap so the adult teeth come through crooked. Children usually start losing baby teeth at about 6 and keep some until about 12.
How to prepare your child
- Book a morning appointment, when young children are usually rested.
- Talk about the visit in a simple, positive way: the dentist will count and look at their teeth.
- Avoid words like "hurt", "needle" or "drill", and do not use the dentist as a threat.
- Play dentists at home: count each other's teeth with a toothbrush and a small mirror.
- Bring a favourite toy or comforter.
- Stay calm yourself. Children pick up on their parents' worries.
What happens at the visit
- Getting comfortableToddlers often sit on a parent's lap. Older children can sit in the chair and try it going up and down.
- A gentle lookThe dentist counts the teeth and checks the gums, the bite and any early signs of decay.
- Advice for youHow to brush, how much toothpaste to use, food and drink, and habits such as thumb sucking or a dummy.
- Next check-upUsually every six months, or as the dentist advises for your child.
X-rays are not usually taken at a first visit, only if the dentist needs them. You can stay with your child the whole time.
Looking after baby teeth at home
| Age | Fluoride toothpaste | Who brushes |
|---|---|---|
| First tooth to 3 years | A smear, the size of a grain of rice | A parent, twice a day |
| 3 to 6 years | A pea-sized amount | A parent, or the child with a parent finishing off |
| 6 years and over | A pea-sized amount | The child, with a parent checking until about 7 or 8 |
- Brush twice a day, last thing at night and one other time.
- After brushing, spit out the toothpaste but do not rinse, so the fluoride keeps working.
- Keep sweet food and drinks to mealtimes, and give water between meals.
- Do not put your child to bed with a bottle of milk or juice.
Children at Healthpoint
Children's check-ups are free, and children's fillings start from AED 99 per tooth. We are open every day from 9 AM to 9 PM, so visits can fit around school. Message us on WhatsApp to book, and tell us if your child is nervous so we can take things slowly.
Frequently asked questions
How much toothpaste should a young child use?
Use fluoride toothpaste from the first tooth: a smear the size of a grain of rice until age 3, then a pea-sized amount. Help your child spit it out afterwards without rinsing.
When should my child stop using a dummy or sucking their thumb?
Ideally by about age 3 to 4. Habits that carry on after that can push the front teeth forward and change the bite. The dentist checks for this at each visit and can suggest ways to stop.
Is fruit juice bad for children's teeth?
Fruit juice contains sugar and acid that can cause decay, especially when sipped often or from a bottle. Keep it to mealtimes, in a cup, and give water or plain milk between meals.
When do children start losing baby teeth?
Usually at about 6 years old, starting with the lower front teeth. Most children lose their last baby teeth by about 12.
Medical review: to be completed by a Healthpoint dentist, whose name and title will be shown here. This guide is general information, not a diagnosis; your dentist will advise on your own teeth.