What Should I Expect at My Child’s First Dental Visit?

Your child’s first dental appointment is coming up, and you may be wondering what will actually happen once you walk through the door.

For most children, a first dental visit is about much more than checking teeth. It is an opportunity for the dentist to evaluate your child’s oral health, answer your questions and begin helping your child become comfortable with dental care.

If you are bringing your child to Cedar Hills Dental Care near Beaverton, telling us ahead of time that this is their first visit — especially if they are nervous — can help us understand what your child may need.

What Happens During a Child’s First Dental Visit?

The exact visit depends on your child’s age, comfort level, dental history and individual needs. A first appointment may include:

Not every child’s first appointment looks exactly the same. A very young child having an early preventive visit may have a different experience from an older child coming to a dentist for the first time.

Will My Child Have Their Teeth Cleaned?

A cleaning may be part of the appointment when appropriate, but the visit should be based on your child’s age, oral health and ability to comfortably participate.

The dentist can also evaluate your child’s individual cavity risk and recommend an appropriate schedule for future preventive care.

Wondering how often those visits should happen? Read
How Often Should Kids Go to the Dentist?

Will My Child Need Dental X-Rays?

Not necessarily. Dental X-rays are not simply something every child receives because it is their first visit.

Whether X-rays are recommended depends on factors such as your child’s age, dental development, oral health, cavity risk, symptoms and what the dentist can see during the examination.

If X-rays are recommended, the dental team should be able to explain why they are useful for your child.

Have questions about dental imaging? Read
Does My Child Need Dental X-Rays? Are They Safe?

What If My Child Is Nervous?

That is common, especially when everything about the dental office is new.

Children differ in temperament, previous experiences and how quickly they become comfortable in unfamiliar situations. Good dental care takes those differences into account rather than expecting every child to respond the same way.

Age-appropriate explanations, showing a child something before using it, positive reinforcement and allowing time to become familiar with the experience are among the approaches dental professionals may use depending on the child.

If you already know your child is frightened of dental visits, tell the office when you call. That information matters.

You may also want to read
How Do I Find a Dentist Who Is Good With Nervous Kids?

How Should I Prepare My Child?

You do not need to make the first dental visit into a major event. Keep your explanation simple and positive.

Tell your child that the dentist is going to look at their teeth and help keep their mouth healthy. Try not to introduce worries your child has not expressed or promise that something “won’t hurt,” because that can unintentionally make a child wonder whether there is something to fear.

If your child has had a difficult dental or medical experience, has sensory sensitivities, or there is something specific that helps them feel more comfortable, let the dental office know before the appointment.

For more ways to prepare, read
My Child Is Scared of the Dentist — What Should I Do Before the Appointment?

What Should I Bring to the First Appointment?

Be prepared to provide your child’s health history, medications, allergies and relevant dental information. If your child has previously seen another dentist, let the office know about prior dental care or records that may be helpful.

It is also a good idea to make a short list of questions you want answered. Parents often want to discuss brushing, toothpaste, fluoride, cavities, thumb or finger habits, tooth development or something unusual they have noticed.

The Goal Is Bigger Than One Appointment

A successful first dental visit is not just about what gets accomplished that day. It is the beginning of an ongoing relationship with dental care.

Children who become familiar with regular dental visits have opportunities for preventive care, early identification of problems and guidance as their baby teeth give way to permanent teeth.

If you are still wondering whether it is time to schedule that first appointment, read
When Should Your Child First See a Dentist?

Your Child’s First Visit at Cedar Hills Dental Care

Christine Chin, DMD brings more than 35 years of dental experience and is an Oregon Health & Science University-educated dentist. Cedar Hills Dental Care emphasizes comfortable, compassionate and non-judgmental dental care for children and adults.

Cedar Hills Dental Care has served the community since 1986 and has cared for more than 10,000 smiles. We provide family dentistry for children and adults near Beaverton.

If this is your child’s first visit, let us know when you call — especially if your child is nervous or there is something you would like us to know before the appointment.

For more information about the dental care we provide for children, visit our
Children’s Dental Care
page.

Further Reading for Parents

Have more questions about your child’s dental care? These Cedar Hills Dental Care articles may help:

• When Should Your Child First See a Dentist?
• How Often Should Kids Go to the Dentist?
• My Child Is Scared of the Dentist — What Should I Do Before the Appointment?
• How Do I Find a Dentist Who Is Good With Nervous Kids?
• Does My Child Need Dental X-Rays? Are They Safe?