Most parents assume the dentist can wait until a child has a full set of teeth, or until something looks wrong. In reality, dental organizations recommend starting much sooner — and the reasoning has less to do with treating problems than with preventing them in the first place.
Here's what the Canadian Dental Association actually recommends, why the timing matters, and how our Sudbury team makes that first visit a good one.
1 The Recommended Age
The Canadian Dental Association recommends that a child see a dentist within six months of their first tooth erupting, or by their first birthday — whichever comes first. That's not a typo: for most babies, that means the first dental visit happens well before their first birthday party, often around the time they're just learning to sit up on their own.
In practice: if your baby's first tooth comes in around 6–10 months (the average range), plan on booking that first visit shortly after. If teeth are slow to appear, age 1 is the outside limit either way.
2 Why the First Visit Happens So Early
It seems early when a baby may only have one or two teeth, but that's precisely the point — this visit isn't about fixing a problem, it's about preventing one before it starts. Early childhood tooth decay is one of the most common chronic conditions in young children, and it's largely preventable with the right habits started early.
An early visit lets your dentist check that teeth and jaw development are on track, catch anything unusual while it's still simple to address, and — just as importantly — walk parents through feeding habits, teething, and brushing before small issues become bigger ones.
"Parents are sometimes surprised we want to see a one-year-old with two teeth. But that first visit is really for us to coach you — how to clean those teeth, what's normal for teething, and what to watch for — while it's still easy to make small adjustments."
Dr. Derek Lewis, DDS — Long Lake Family Dentistry3 Teething Timeline
Every child is different, but primary ("baby") teeth tend to follow a fairly predictable order. This is a general guide, not a strict schedule — some healthy babies get their first tooth at 4 months, others closer to 12.
| Tooth | Typical Age |
|---|---|
| Lower central incisors (bottom front) | 6–10 months |
| Upper central incisors (top front) | 8–12 months |
| Lateral incisors | 9–16 months |
| First molars | 13–19 months |
| Canines (eye teeth) | 16–23 months |
| Second molars | 23–33 months |
By around age 3, most children have all 20 primary teeth. Those teeth matter more than many parents expect — beyond chewing and speech development, they hold space in the jaw for the adult teeth that will eventually replace them.
4 What Happens at the First Visit
A first dental visit for a baby or toddler looks very different from a typical adult checkup — it's short, low-pressure, and designed to build comfort rather than accomplish a long list of treatment.
A Gentle Look
Checking teeth, gums, bite, and jaw development — often with your child on your lap.
Parent Coaching
Guidance on brushing, teething discomfort, pacifiers, thumb-sucking, and feeding habits.
Diet & Habits
A conversation about bottle and nursing habits, since these have the biggest impact on early decay risk.
Most first visits don't involve any treatment at all — they're an exam and a conversation. If your child is uneasy, it's completely normal, and our team paces the visit around your child rather than a fixed script.
5 How to Prepare Your Child
A little preparation goes a long way toward making that first visit — and every one after it — a positive experience rather than something to dread.
- ✓ Keep the language positive — avoid words like "hurt" or "shot," even reassuringly ("it won't hurt") plants the idea.
- ✓ Read a children's book about visiting the dentist together beforehand, if your child responds well to that kind of preview.
- ✓ Book morning appointments when possible — children are often more cooperative when they're not tired.
- ✓ Let your child watch you or an older sibling get a checkup first, if that's an option.
- ✓ Tell our team about any sensory sensitivities or things that help your child feel calm — we'll work with it.
6 Caring for Baby Teeth at Home
Oral care starts even before that first tooth appears. Wiping a baby's gums with a soft, damp cloth after feedings clears away bacteria and gets them used to having their mouth touched — which makes brushing an easier transition later.
- ✓ Once the first tooth appears, brush twice a day with a soft, baby-sized toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice).
- ✓ Avoid putting a baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice — prolonged contact with sugars is a leading cause of early childhood tooth decay.
- ✓ Never share spoons or clean a pacifier with your own mouth — cavity-causing bacteria can be passed from caregiver to baby this way.
- ✓ Begin weaning off bottles and pacifiers by around 12–18 months, as prolonged use can affect how teeth and the jaw develop.
7 Common Parent Worries
A few questions come up more than any others when parents book that first visit — here's the short version of each.
"They only have one tooth — is it too early?"
No — that's exactly the recommended window. The visit is as much about guidance as it is about the tooth itself.
"What if my child won't sit still or cries?"
Completely normal at this age. We adapt the pace, and even a brief, calm introduction to the office counts as a win.
"Do baby teeth even matter if they fall out?"
Yes — they guide speech, chewing, and the position of the adult teeth still developing underneath them.
"Is a checkup this early really necessary?"
Catching an issue — or simply confirming everything looks healthy — is far simpler and less costly than treating a problem later.
8 Quick Takeaways
If you take nothing else from this guide, these are the essentials:
- ✓ Book the first dental visit within 6 months of the first tooth, or by age 1 — whichever comes first
- ✓ Expect a short, gentle exam plus guidance for parents — not treatment
- ✓ Start wiping gums before teeth appear, then brush twice daily once they do
- ✓ Avoid bottles of milk or juice at bedtime once teeth are present
- ✓ After that first visit, most children do well with a checkup every six months
Starting early sets the tone for a lifetime of comfortable dental visits — and it's one of the simplest, highest-value things you can do for your child's long-term oral health.
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