{"id":50909,"date":"2026-05-11T21:49:39","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T21:49:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/completedental.org\/?p=50909"},"modified":"2026-10-28T22:44:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T22:44:34","slug":"when-should-you-schedule-your-childs-first-dentist-appointment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/completedental.org\/es\/when-should-you-schedule-your-childs-first-dentist-appointment\/","title":{"rendered":"When should you schedule your child’s first dentist appointment?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a loving parent to your little one, you get to experience countless \u201cfirsts\u201d right by their side \u2014 including their first dental appointment. We want to ensure your child\u2019s first trip to the dentist is fun and memorable for all the right reasons, setting the tone of healthy habits your child will retain for the rest of their lives. Here, we\u2019ll dive into when you should schedule your child\u2019s first dentist appointment, what you should expect, and what you can do to ensure the experience \u2014 and your child\u2019s ongoing dental health \u2014 is as positive as possible!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Old Should My Child Be When They First Visit the Dentist?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that kids go to their first oral health checkup when their baby teeth begin to emerge or by the time they turn one. Though it may seem a bit early, this visit is crucial to making sure your child does not have any signs of gum or tooth decay and that their teeth are developing properly. Baby teeth can emerge as early as six months; make sure their first dental appointment is not far behind!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Believe it or not, tooth decay is the most common childhood disease. Yet, almost always, it\u2019s preventable. Kids may come in to their first dentist appointment at age three or four with cavities and tooth decay that should have been prevented with a routine checkup. Don\u2019t underestimate the importance of starting them young!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Child\u2019s First Visit to the Dentist: What You Should Expect<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our staff takes great care to make sure your child has fun at their dental visits, and they\u2019re as comfortable as possible. If your child is apprehensive about their first dental appointment, we welcome parents to bring them to our office to take a look around, meet the staff, and get familiar with our clinic before they come in for their first appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When appointment day comes, a hygienist will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n