When Should My Child First See a Dentist? Ages 0–18 Guide

Every stage of childhood brings different dental milestones. Here's what to expect — and when to call our Twin Falls office.

Ages 0–2: Baby Teeth Emerge

First visit: Within 6 months of first tooth OR by age 1.

Baby teeth (primary teeth) typically start appearing at 6–12 months. By age 3, most children have all 20 primary teeth.

At this stage we focus on:

• Teaching parents proper cleaning techniques (use a rice-grain amount of fluoride toothpaste)
• Checking for early decay ("bottle rot")
• Discussing pacifier and thumb-sucking habits

Ages 3–5: Building Good Habits

Visits: Every 6 months.

This is the most important window for establishing positive dental habits and attitudes. Dr. Smith's approach is entirely play-based for this age group — games, counting teeth, letting kids hold the mirror.

Common procedures: Cleanings, fluoride treatments, X-rays (first set around age 3–4).

Ages 6–12: Mixed Dentition

Visits: Every 6 months, plus any needed treatment.

Baby teeth start falling out, permanent teeth come in. This is sealant time — we protect those new back molars as soon as they erupt.

Watch for: Crowding, crossbites, jaw alignment issues. We can identify early orthodontic concerns and refer to trusted Twin Falls orthodontists before they become bigger problems.

Ages 13–18: Teen Dental Care

Visits: Every 6 months.

Wisdom teeth usually appear between 17–21. We'll take panoramic X-rays around age 16–17 to assess wisdom tooth development and whether extraction will be needed.

Teen-specific concerns:

• Sports mouthguards (essential for contact sports)
• Whitening safety (we'll guide you to safe options)
• Orthodontic progress check-ins

At Smith Pediatric Dentistry, we see patients ages 0–18. Call (208) 268-0111 to schedule, or book online.