When Should You Start Taking Your Child to the Dentist?

The early years of a child’s life are challenging.  Making a child’s dental visits “easy” for both the child and the parent is a goal of mine.  I like to start seeing the children at the age of 2 for a meet and greet appointment.  These appointments are usually the parent’s cleaning appointment and the child simply accompanies the parent to the hygienist’s room.  Television or iPads are a great way to entertain the child while the parents are getting their teeth cleaned.  After I do my exam on the parent, I will usually ask the child to smile, ask them how many teeth they have, etc.  This is a way for the child and I to bond.  I typically won’t even put a mirror in the child’s mouth at this meet and greet appointment.  We take the child to the Treasure Chest for a toy and they have completed their first dental exam and it hopefully was easy on the child and the parent.

Now we have created an atmosphere that the child views as non-threatening and fun.  Each appointment for the child after that we try to go one step further.  Maybe at the second appointment we put the child on the parent’s lap for a ride and try to look into the child mouth.  Possibly even count their teeth with the child’s help.  Depending on the child’s willingness, we eventually make an appointment for the child to have their teeth cleaned.  As evident by our approach there are no set rules or objectives.  We do want to see the child at the age of 2 and by the age of 6 we would like to be able to complete a full prophy, radiographs, sealants and exams.

By taking the approach outlined above, I have found that we can create a child who views going to the dentist as a fun experience and also takes ownership of their teeth at home, relieving the parents of having to constantly nag the kid to brush their teeth.  We also create a child who does not fuss or fight when the parent informs the kid that they are going to the dentist.  All of these steps are used to make the duty of taking your child to the dentist an easy experience for child and parent.

If you would like to have your child come in for a meet and greet appointment, please call us at Torrey Hills Dental at 858-523-1330.
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Born and raised in San Diego, Dr. James Tasto attended University of San Diego High School where he lettered in both golf and wrestling. After earning a Bachelors in Science from Loyola Marymount University, Dr. Tasto graduated from University of Southern California Dental School with an emphasis on cosmetics and sports dentistry.  Dr. James Tasto was selected by his peers to be included in the List of Top Dentists in San Diego for 2007 – 2013.  He appeared in the May issue of San Diego Magazine.  Dr. Tasto is also a member of D.O.C.S. (Doctors Offering Charitable Services), a local organization that offers medical services such as plastic surgery, vision and dental to the less fortunate patients in San Diego.  Dr. Tasto currently resides in San Diego with his lovely wife Traci and their 3 children. He enjoys golf, beach volleyball and playing with his kids.