It’s recommended that you bring your baby in for their first dental visit within six months of the first tooth’s eruption – typically around their first birthday. During this visit your little one will meet with a pediatric dentist also called a dentist for babies. At myKIDSdds in Dallas, we make this milestone comfortable, educational, and stress-free for both parent and child.
Why Is Infant Dental Care Important?
Because decay can occur in even the smallest of teeth, the earlier your baby visits us, the more likely they are to avoid issues.
During their first dental visit, our pediatric dentists look for early signs of decay, assess dental milestones and discuss with you the best baby teeth care routine for your home. This includes guidance on how to brush baby teeth, the safe use of pacifiers and bottles, and what to watch for as new teeth emerge. Preparing for each visit with a positive attitude goes a long way toward making your child comfortable with regular checkups.
When Should a Baby First See a Dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends a child’s first dental visit occur within six months of their first tooth erupting, or no later than their first birthday. At myKIDSdds, we see infants as young as a few months old when tongue-tie or feeding concerns are present.
Common questions we answer at a baby’s first dental visit:
- Is my baby’s tooth development on track?
- How do I clean my infant’s gums before teeth appear?
- When should we stop using a pacifier or bottle?
- Does my baby have a tongue-tie affecting feeding?
Tongue-Tie, Feeding & Early Dental Milestones
A newborn tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) can interfere with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and early speech development. Our team at myKIDSdds evaluates tongue and lip ties at infant visits and can refer to our frenectomy services when treatment is needed.
We track your child’s early dental milestones, including:
- First tooth eruption (typically 6–10 months)
- Full primary dentition (around age 3)
- First permanent molar eruption (around age 6)
If you have concerns about your baby’s feeding, latch, or oral development, our Dallas pediatric dentists are here to help.
Learn more about frenectomies at myKIDSdds.
Pacifiers, Bottles & How to Brush Baby Teeth
Pacifier use: Pacifiers are safe for infants but should ideally be phased out by age 2–3 to prevent bite issues. We’ll guide you on timing and alternatives.
Bottle feeding: Avoid putting your baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice, as this is a leading cause of early childhood tooth decay (also called “baby bottle tooth decay”).
Brushing baby teeth: As soon as the first tooth appears, use a soft-bristled infant toothbrush with a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste. By age 3, increase to a pea-sized amount.
Helping Your Child With Their Visit To The Dentist
Our infant lap exams are designed to evaluate your child’s dental health and development, answer any questions you may have, and to help get you and your child off to a great start with infant dental care in Dallas.
In the lap exam you will sit knee-to-knee with one of our hygienists, with your child secured, lying back across a cushion in your laps. The hygienist will perform a cleaning and review your child’s nutrition and home healthcare, using puppets to engage and educate. The doctor will then come in for the exam, looking at tooth development, signs of decay, and applying a topical fluoride treatment.
Your child’s initial in-office lap exam may be unfamiliar and cause some reluctance in their behavior, but with positive reinforcement at home with lap exams done daily and continuous visits, we can grow our relationship with your child and begin their steps to a happy and healthy dental life. As your baby grows, we make the transition to a dedicated kids dentist in Dallas easy – ensuring they receive consistent, specialized care.
Building a Lifetime of Beautiful Smiles
Dentistry for Children | Orthodontics for All
Frequently Asked Questions: Infant Dental Care in Dallas
When should my baby first see a dentist?
The AAPD recommends your baby’s first dental visit within six months of the first tooth erupting, or by their first birthday. At myKIDSdds, we welcome infants from their earliest months.
What happens at a baby’s first dental appointment?
Our pediatric dentists perform a gentle lap exam, check for early decay and developmental concerns, review nutrition, and answer all your questions about home care.
How do I brush my baby’s teeth?
Use a soft infant toothbrush and a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth appears. We’ll demonstrate proper technique at your visit.
Can a tongue-tie affect my baby’s teeth?
Yes. A tongue-tie can affect feeding, speech, and oral development. Our team evaluates for tongue and lip ties at infant visits. Learn more about frenectomies at myKIDSdds.
Are pacifiers bad for baby teeth?
Pacifiers are generally safe through age 2. Extended use beyond age 3 can affect bite alignment. We’ll help you plan a gentle transition.
Voted Best In Dallas
We’re proud to be rated the #1 Dentist in Dallas since 2013! We are incredibly honored to be consistently recognized by the Dallas community for the quality of our care. Our awards and recognition include:
- D Magazine Best Dentist — recognized multiple years
- DFW Child Mom Approved — voted by Dallas-area parents
- The Breathe Institute — recognized for our commitment to airway health
But the recognition we value most comes from the families who trust us year after year — and who now bring their own children to see us.
Dr. Alex Villaseñor
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Kevin Brunstein
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Glenn Cohen
Orthodontist
Dr. John Gannon
Oral Surgeon
