When to Take Your Child to the Dentist: Tips for Parents in Texas
Reviewed by Dr. Paul Rubin
Reading time: four minutes.
Early dental visits help your child get used to the dentist and give you personalized advice on caring for baby teeth as they come in. Starting early builds healthy habits, prevents avoidable issues, and makes dental care feel normal from the beginning.
In this blog, you will learn when to schedule the first visit, what happens during the appointment, and how to support your child’s smile from the start.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaway
Your child should see a pediatric dentist by age one or when the first tooth comes in. Early visits help prevent decay, build good habits, and give you the tools to protect your child’s smile from the start.
When To Start Taking Your Child to the Dentist
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the first dental visit should happen by age one or six months after the first tooth erupts.
Many parents assume a child doesn’t need to see a dentist until all their baby teeth come in. But oral health issues like early childhood cavities can start with the very first tooth, particularly in babies who fall asleep with bottles or sip juice throughout the day.
The first visit focuses on early prevention, identifying potential issues, and establishing healthy dental habits that support lifelong oral health. Bringing your child to the dentist at an early age helps them get used to going to the dentist and builds a sense of comfort and trust over time.
Services We Offer for Infants and Toddlers
At Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in McKinney, we focus on prevention and education during early dental checkups.
Here is what we typically cover during an infant or toddler appointment:
- Oral health exam for teeth and gums
- Assessment for tongue and lip ties that may affect feeding or speech
- Oral hygiene instructions for caregivers
- Feeding and oral habits that impact dental care
- Caries risk assessment and anticipatory guidance
We do not rush to take X-rays unless there are visible issues or trauma. Our goal is to build trust and create a positive experience while helping prevent cavities before they start.
Why Texas Parents Should Start Dental Visits Early
In Texas, sugary drinks and processed snacks are easy to find and often part of everyday routines. Without consistent brushing and early dental care, these habits can increase the risk of tooth decay, even before age two.
Parents are often surprised to learn their child has cavities at the first dental visit. Brown or black spots may look like surface stains, but they can actually be signs of early decay. Understanding your child’s oral health and history allows for earlier intervention and better long-term outcomes.
Our goal as pediatric dentists is to help families catch early signs of trouble before they become bigger problems. With the right education and guidance, parents can learn to spot concerns early and support habits that protect both baby teeth and future permanent teeth.
How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Dentist Visit
Setting the tone for a positive experience starts with you. Here is how to prepare:
- Pick the right time: Choose a morning appointment when your child is well-rested.
- Use positive language: Talk about the dentist as a helper who keeps teeth strong and healthy.
- Avoid surprises: Tell your child what to expect in simple, clear terms.
- Bring comfort items: A favorite toy or blanket can help keep them calm.
- Stay calm: Children read your emotions. If you stay relaxed, they are more likely to stay calm too.
Our team builds trust, boosts confidence, and helps your child feel good about taking care of their smile—one positive visit at a time.
Common Misconceptions About Infant Dental Care
Many well-meaning parents delay dental visits simply because they’ve heard outdated or confusing advice. Clearing up these common myths can make a big difference in your child’s oral health.
- They’re just baby teeth, they don’t matter: Baby teeth may be temporary, but they play a big role in helping your child eat, speak, and hold space for permanent teeth. Cavities in baby teeth can cause pain, infection, and even affect how adult teeth come in.
- We’ll wait until there’s a problem: Tooth decay can start as soon as the first tooth appears. Even if everything looks fine, early visits help catch issues before they turn into something bigger and give parents support for healthy habits at home.
- Everything looks fine, so there’s no rush: Cavities can start forming before you see any obvious signs. Regular visits help your dentist monitor development, catch problems early, and give your child a stress-free introduction to dental care.
- Dentists just want you to spend money: Some parents worry that early dental visits are unnecessary or driven by profit. But these visits are short, affordable, and focused on prevention. Catching small issues early can actually save families money in the long run by avoiding more serious (and costly) problems later.
Schedule Your Child’s First Dentist Appointment in McKinney
You don’t need to wait for a problem to give your child a healthy start. Early visits are a chance to get expert guidance, ask questions, and help your child feel comfortable at the dentist from the very beginning.
If you are a new parent or looking for a trusted pediatric dentist in McKinney, we would love to welcome you to our office.
Schedule a dental exam at our pediatric dental office in McKinney, TX, call (214) 436-5555 or visit us at 5323 W University Dr #100, McKinney, Texas.
📍Other locations