How Often Should Children Visit the Dentist? What to Expect
In Canada, parents don’t think their child’s dental health is unimportant or temporary. In fact, about 89.6% of Canadian children and youth aged 5 to 17 visit a dental professional within a 12-month period.
However, even with regular dental visits, some children still experience cavities, orthodontic concerns, enamel problems, or other dental risks. This doesn’t mean parents are being negligent. Sometimes, it simply comes down to not having enough information about how often children should visit the dentist.
If you are wondering what happens during your child’s dental visit? Knowing what to expect can help your child feel more comfortable. Here’s what parents can expect.
How Often Should Children Go to the Dentist?
For Canadian families, the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) recommends that children have their first dental assessment within six months of their first tooth appearing or by their first birthday.
For many children, dental visits every six months are a common schedule. However, there is no single schedule that works for every child.
Your dentist may recommend more frequent visits if your child:
Has a history of cavities
A high risk of tooth decay
Poor oral hygiene
Gum problems
Tooth development concerns
Orthodontic or bite concerns
Certain medical or developmental conditions
Habits such as prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use that may affect dental development
On the other hand, children with less risk of dental problems don’t need examinations frequently.
However, don’t wait until your child has tooth pain before booking an appointment.
IMPORTANT: Do not wait until your child has tooth pain before booking an appointment. Some dental problems, like early tooth decay, small cavities, and gum inflammation, can develop without obvious symptoms in the early stages.
Why Are Regular Dental Visits Important for Children?
Baby teeth also matter. They assist in eating, speaking, maintaining space for permanent teeth, and some baby teeth remain in the mouth until around age 12.
Children can be more prone to cavities because of frequent snacking, sugary foods, and still-developing oral hygiene habits. That’s why good oral care and regular dental visits help catch small problems early and give your child a chance to get comfortable with the dentist.
This early visit gives the dentist an opportunity to
Check the first teeth and gums.
Look for early signs of tooth decay and enamel changes
Discuss brushing and fluoride.
Talk about feeding and nutrition habits.
Answer questions about teething.
Check biting problems
Review habits such as thumb sucking or pacifier use
Notice habits that may affect jaw or tooth development
Help parents understand what to expect as more teeth come in.
What Can I Expect During My Child’s Dental Visit?
A child's dental visit is about more than looking for cavities. It's also a chance for your child to get used to the dentist, the chair, and the routine of a dental checkup.
At Dentistry at Sullivan in Scarborough Dr. Sepideh Maleki and her team begin with comfortable talk to define the examination process in age-appropriate language.
Dental Examination: When your child feels relaxed and ready for examination, the pediatric team checks the teeth, gums, and bite alignment, and uses CBCT to check for signs of decay or other developing concerns.
Professional Cleaning: According to your child's age and needs, the dental team cleans the teeth to remove plaque and buildup that regular brushing may miss, particularly around the back teeth.
Fluoride Treatment: A child with a low risk of tooth decay may need a different fluoride plan, such as fluoride toothpaste. But a child who develops cavities frequently needs additional fluoride protection to strengthen the enamel.
Dental Sealants: If your child has deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of their back teeth, food and bacteria can get trapped more easily. Sealants can be placed to cover these grooves to protect areas from cavities.
Growth & Development discussion: The dental team will let you know how your child’s teeth and bite are developing and answer your questions about crowding, spacing, jaw development, and possible orthodontic concerns.
Tips for a Successful Dental Visit for Toddlers
Stay Calm: When you prepare your child for a dental visit, they will notice your tone, facial expressions, and body language. If you become visibly worried, frustrated, or angry, your kid may think your reaction means something is scary.
Avoid using frightening words: Avoid frightening stories or words such as “don't be scared” or “it won't hurt,” because they can unintentionally introduce the idea that there is something to fear.
Keep your explanation Positive: Children don't need a long technical explanation. So, keep your explanation short and age-appropriate. For example: "The dentist will clean the unhealthy part of your tooth to make your tooth strong again."
Play dentist at home: Play dentist with your child using a toothbrush or toy dental mirror to let your child sit in a dental chair and practice opening their mouth. A little role-play helps the dental environment feel less unfamiliar.
Bring a familiar item: If the dental clinic allows it, let your child bring a favorite toy or comfort item. Having something familiar nearby may help them feel more secure and relaxed during the appointment.
When Should My Child See a Dentist Sooner?
A routine six-month appointment is not a fixed time to contact the pediatric dentist. If your child has tooth pain, swelling, an injury, or another dental problem, don't wait for the next scheduled visit. Call the dentist sooner.
Contact Children’s dental specialist if your kid has:
Toothache or ongoing tooth sensitivity
Facial or gum swelling
A broken or cracked tooth
A knocked-out or severely loose tooth after an accident
Bleeding or swollen gums that persist
A visible cavity or dark spot on a tooth
Pain when eating or drinking
Difficulty chewing
A dental infection or fever associated with a tooth problem.
Concerns about delayed or unusual tooth eruption
Note: The CDA specifically advises parents to take a child to the dentist when they suspect a problem, regardless of the child's age.
What If You Skip Your Toddler’s Dental Visits?
Skipping your child's dental visit may seem harmless, but it can lead to missed early or future dental problems.
Small cavities can go unnoticed and may become painful or harder to treat.
Tooth decay can spread to nearby teeth or affect the developing permanent teeth.
Gum problems may be missed, including early signs of inflammation or infection.
Bite and tooth development issues may not be spotted early.
Dental anxiety can increase if your child only visits the dentist when something hurts.
Miss preventive care such as fluoride treatments, brushing guidance, and diet advice.
Untreated dental problems can affect your child's eating, sleep, speaking, and daily comfort.
Delaying care can mean more complicated treatment later, especially if a small cavity is left untreated.
How Parents Can Help Develop Healthy Dental Habits
Good dental habits start at home. Young children still need help and reminders to brush properly every day.
Have a look at the simple ways parents can encourage healthy dental habits
Encourage your child to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
Help your child clean between teeth when appropriate
Limit frequent sugary snacks and drinks to reduce the risk of cavities.
Encouraging your child to drink water instead of sugary beverages
Offering a balanced diet to support healthy teeth and development.
Supervising younger children while brushing to ensure surfaces are cleaned properly.
Keeping regular dental appointments to monitor your child's teeth and gums.
Important: Dental checkup does not replace daily oral care. It works alongside it.
Help Your Child Build A Healthy Smile
Not sure when to bring your child for a dental visit? For most children, every six months is ideal. These regular visits help prevent cavities, check how the teeth and bite are developing, and help children build good dental habits.
Get expert advice from a dentist who takes the time to talk to you and your kid. Since 2019, at Dentistry at Sullivan in Scarborough, Dr. Sepideh Maleki and her team have kept dental visits calm and plan the visit around your child.
We look at the teeth, answer your questions, and let your child check out the chair, keeping only what is genuinely relevant.
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