Blog Summary:
This blog post explores the most important ages for children to visit the dentist and why early, consistent care is essential for lifelong oral health. From baby teeth to braces, here’s what parents need to know about the ideal timing for dental checkups.
- Children should have their first dental visit by age 1, or when their first tooth appears, to establish a foundation for healthy oral habits.
- Follow-up visits at ages 2 and 3 help monitor tooth development, reinforce brushing routines, and check for early signs of cavities.
- At age 4, dental visits are important for correcting oral habits like thumb-sucking and preparing for orthodontic assessments.
- By age 7, children should see both a dentist and an orthodontist to evaluate bite alignment and identify potential issues early.
- The Super Dentists offer comprehensive, child-friendly care at six locations across San Diego to support every stage of your child’s dental journey.
When do kids start going to the dentist? It’s a great question – and one we hear frequently here at The Super Dentists.
Our pediatric care experts get tons of questions from caring parents just like you.
“When do babies go to the dentist?” is an especially common question that we get asked. The internet can give you a range of answers, recommending a first dental visit at age 2 or 3. These ages are important for follow-up appointments as teeth start erupting, but the first dental appointment should come sooner rather than later.
It’s no wonder parents have questions!
Fortunately, we have the answers. Discover the key ages for kids to visit the dentist and what to expect at each stage.
When Do Babies Go to the Dentist?
There are a number of key ages when little ones should go to the dentist, but as we covered in our blog post “What to Expect at a Kid’s First Dental Appointment”, the very first dental visit should occur “as soon as the first baby teeth erupt or no later than their first birthday”.
What age should kids go to the dentist after that initial visit? Simply put, it’s important for children to go to the dentist again at ages 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 for milestone appointments and regularly in between those milestone appointments.
Why Should Kids See the Dentist at Age 1?
When do kids start going to the dentist? Actually, when they’re still babies. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children make their first visit to the dentist by no later than age 1 to establish a foundation for their dental care.
This dental visit allows parents to address their child’s oral health in a number of areas:
- Management of oral habits such as finger and thumb sucking
- Teething
- Assessment of first teeth
- The connection between diet and oral health
- Development of gums and jawline
- How to care for an infant’s or toddler’s dental health
Your baby’s first dental visit is the foundation for lifelong dental health. Make sure you write down any important questions you have for the pediatric dentist and follow up about the next appointment. Speaking of which, assuming everything’s okay with your child’s teeth and gums, you’ll want to pencil in their next visit to The Super Dentists.
Why Should Kids See the Dentist at Age 2?
At age 2, children are often starting to develop more independence, and their teeth continue to grow and erupt. This is an ideal time for a follow-up dental visit to ensure their baby teeth are healthy and to check for early signs of cavities. Dentists will also help parents reinforce good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice a day with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste.
This visit allows the dentist to monitor dental development and provide tips to help toddlers transition from bottles or sippy cups to regular cups, which can prevent future dental issues.
Why Should Kids See the Dentist at Age 3?
By age 3, most children will have a full set of baby teeth, making this visit crucial for evaluating overall dental health. The dentist will check for proper alignment, cavities, and gum health while reinforcing healthy oral hygiene habits. A visit at this age can also help kids build confidence and comfort with dental checkups, reducing anxiety as they grow older.
This is a great opportunity for parents to ask questions about thumb-sucking, pacifiers, or other habits that may affect dental development.
Why Should Kids See the Dentist at Age 4?
After your baby’s first dental visit at age 1, you shouldn’t have to see the dentist again for about 3 years. Unless there are signs of tooth decay or other problems with your baby’s teeth, schedule your child a dental checkup at age 4.
The American Dental Association reminds us that “children can get cavities as soon as their teeth first appear. Nearly one in four children ages 2–5 has cavities in their baby teeth. Cavities can hurt. Cavities can also cause children to have problems eating, speaking, learning, playing, and sleeping, so it’s good to pay attention in these first few years.
Age 4 represents a critical age for a child to correct bad oral habits such as sucking or chewing on fingers and thumbs. And with an age 4 dental visit, dentists can reinforce strategies to help young children overcome these bad habits quickly and effectively.
This dental visit is the important “bridge” between when kids should start going to the dentist (age 1) and when a child should see an orthodontist, which is 7 years old. Think of this visit as the transition from a “baby” dentist to a true pediatric dental visit. And with The Super Dentists, your child is assured of the absolute best dental treatment in Southern California!
So the first two important visits are done…the trifecta is nearly complete.
Why Should Kids See the Dentist at Age 7?
By age 7, a child’s first molars erupt, resulting in a backbite. This enables orthodontists to properly evaluate the front-to-back and side-to-side relationships between a child’s teeth and identify potential future dental problems, and have enough time to create a plan to solve those issues.
According to The American Association of Orthodontists, 7 is the perfect age for this visit. “By that age, a child will have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, and the orthodontist will be able to recognize orthodontic problems (“malocclusions”) even in their earliest stages.”
While at this first appointment, The Super Dentists’ orthodontists will also assess possible teeth alignment solutions in the near future. Depending on current alignment and future tooth movement, braces might be required. Most children who need braces typically receive them between the ages of 9 and 14, though some situations may necessitate a different timeframe.
By seeing an orthodontist at age 7, a child may be able to reduce the risk of tooth trauma as well as the need to extract permanent teeth in the future.
To recap, at what age should a child go to the dentist? To ensure your child has the best dental care, they will need to see the dentist at ages 1 and 4, and preferably see the dentist at ages 2 and 3 as well. They should also see the dentist AND orthodontist at age 7.
Visit The Super Dentists for Exceptional Dental and Orthodontic Care – For any Age!
Have more questions about when babies go to the dentist, when to take your child to the dentist, or anything else related to pediatric dental care? We’re here to help!
Remember, where to take your baby to the dentist is as important as when to go. For many parents around the greater San Diego region, The Super Dentists is their #1 option when their babies go to the dentist.
Our pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and parent dentistry practice includes six area offices serving the greater San Diego area.
If you’re ready to take your child to Southern California’s premier dentists and orthodontists, call 1 (855) GO SUPER, or text The Super Dentists at 1 (844) 765-1234. We also offer convenient online scheduling. Thanks for considering The Super Dentists for your baby’s first dental visit!
