Children's Dental Care
“A healthy smile for your young child.”
Delaying dental checkups for children can lead to significant consequences. Similar to adults, children should visit the dentist at least twice a year to maintain optimal oral health.
Children Dental Care
Starting dental checkups early can prevent serious dental problems. It's recommended for parents to bring their kids to see a dentist as soon as their first tooth appears or by their first birthday.
Children Dental Care FAQ
When should children go to the dentist?
According to the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (AAPD), children should see a dentist by age 1 or within six months after the eruption of their first tooth, which usually occurs around 6 months of age.
Why should children go to the dentist?
Children should go to the dentist to ensure proper oral health and hygiene, to identify and address any dental issues early on, and to establish good dental habits that will help maintain their oral health as they grow. Regular dental checkups can also help prevent more serious dental problems and potentially painful treatments down the line.
What happens at your child's first visit
The first visit is short and friendly. We let your child sit on your lap or in the chair, count their teeth, check gums and bite, and show them how to brush. If needed we apply fluoride varnish. The aim is a happy first experience so later visits are easy.
Preventive care we provide
- Check-ups every six months to catch decay early.
- Fluoride varnish to strengthen enamel.
- Fissure sealants on the grooves of new molars to stop food and bacteria collecting.
- Scaling and polishing for older children.
- Fillings and extractions when needed, using child-friendly techniques.
- Dietary advice on sugar, snacking and drinks.
- Orthodontic assessment around age seven, and referral for braces or clear aligners for teenagers when appropriate.
Tips for parents
- Brush twice a day for two minutes, last thing before bed, with fluoride toothpaste.
- Water or milk between meals; keep juice and sweet drinks to mealtimes and never in a bedtime bottle.
- Start flossing when two teeth touch.
- Thumb sucking and dummies are normal in toddlers; ask us for help if the habit continues past age four.
- A mouthguard protects teeth during contact sports.
Signs your child should see a dentist soon
White or brown spots on teeth, complaints of pain when eating sweet, hot or cold foods, bleeding gums, bad breath that does not go away, a knocked or chipped tooth, or adult teeth appearing behind baby teeth that have not fallen out. For a knocked-out tooth, see our emergency dental care advice.
More questions from parents
Are dental X-rays safe for children?
Yes. Modern digital X-rays use a very low dose and are taken only when needed, for example to check for decay between teeth or to monitor developing adult teeth.
How do I prepare my child for the first visit?
Talk about it positively, avoid words like pain or injection, read a picture book about the dentist, and book a morning appointment when your child is rested. Let them see you having a check-up too.
Should baby teeth with cavities be filled?
Usually yes. Baby teeth hold space for adult teeth and untreated decay causes pain, infection and can damage the adult tooth developing underneath.
When should my child start using fluoride toothpaste?
From the first tooth, using a smear the size of a grain of rice until age three and a pea-sized amount from three to six. An adult should brush or supervise until about age seven or eight.
Clinical content reviewed by the Drs. Wong & Partners editorial team. Last reviewed . This page is general information and not a substitute for advice from your dentist.
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