It's one of the most common questions from parents who visit us from Gavà, Viladecans and Castelldefels: when should a child first see the dentist? Many people wait until the permanent teeth come in, but by then some problems have already progressed. Here's when to go, what happens at the visit and how to prepare your child.
At what age should the first visit be?
The Spanish Society of Paediatric Dentistry recommends the first visit when the first tooth appears or around the first birthday. It's a simple visit, almost always with no treatment, designed to check and advise parents.
From age 2–3, once all the baby teeth are in, it's a good time to start regular check-ups: checking for decay and hygiene and, if we find a problem, treating it while the child's behaviour in the chair allows.
And around age 6, when the first permanent molars come in, we recommend an orthodontic check-up to catch space or bite problems in time.
Why so early?
The goal is prevention:
- Catching baby bottle tooth decay in time, which can progress very quickly in baby teeth.
- Checking mouth development: how teeth come through, how they fit together and how the jaw grows.
- Correcting habits such as dummies, bottles at bedtime or thumb sucking before they affect the teeth.
- Getting the child used to the clinic in a calm visit, with no pain or emergencies. That way, later visits are much easier.
Do baby teeth need care if they'll fall out anyway?
Absolutely. Baby teeth are for chewing, speaking properly and holding the space for permanent teeth. A cavity in a baby tooth can hurt, become infected and damage the permanent tooth underneath. That's why they should be cleaned from the first one: at first with gauze, then with a children's toothbrush.
What happens at the first visit?
- Getting to know each other: we let the child explore the room, sit in the chair and see the instruments.
- Check-up: we look at the teeth, gums and bite, often with the child on a parent's lap.
- Advice for parents: brushing, fluoride toothpaste suited to their age, diet and habits.
How to prepare your child
- Play dentists at home: count their teeth with a mirror and let them count yours.
- Talk positively: the dentist is the person who helps keep teeth strong and clean.
- Avoid scary words like «pain», «jab» or «needle», and never use the dentist as a punishment.
- Choose a good time: ideally when they're not tired or hungry.
- Stay calm: children pick up on their parents' nerves.
The first visit should be a fun and curious experience. If it is, your child will grow up without fear of the dentist.
Frequently asked questions
What if a permanent tooth comes through behind a baby tooth?
At first this can be normal. If after about 15 days the baby tooth hasn't fallen out, it's worth booking a check-up.
When can they use fluoride toothpaste?
From the first tooth, in the amount suited to their age. We explain it at the visit.
Is the first visit free?
Yes, at Somriures the first visit is free.
