| |  | | | | | The American Dental Association recommends parents take children to the dentist by the child's first birthday. Your child's first dentist visit can be an enjoyable and positive experience. Prior to the visit, tell your child that someone will look at their teeth and clean them. Show them pictures of dentists, or perform fun role-playing activities, like acting as the dentist.
Most dentists prefer that the parent be present during the examination for children under the age of three. Some ask the parent to sit in the dental chair and hold the patient in their lap during the first few examinations. It can be helpful to take younger children along for an older sibling's dental visit so they can get accustomed to the office and the people.
In addition to checking for tooth decay and other possible problems, the dentist will teach parents how to properly clean your child's teeth daily, evaluate any adverse habits like thumb sucking, and identify your child's fluoride needs.
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