Your child’s oral health matters. Their comfort matters. We know that, as a parent, you’re looking for a place where your child will feel safe and happy, all while receiving the best quality pediatric dentistry.
The pediatric dentists at Dental House in Saskatoon are here to provide that space. We offer dental care for children of all ages, working diligently to ensure that their visits are fun and rewarding, all while providing early prevention and treatment their dental issues. We want your children to smile healthy!
At what age can my child start seeing a dentist?
Your child’s first visit to a pediatric dentist should be 6 months after their first tooth emerges or when they reach 1 year of age – whichever is sooner.
You might be surprised to learn that your child should have their first visit so early in life – after all, they won’t even have all of their teeth yet! There are, however, a number of good reasons for your child to visit the dentist early:
- Your dentist will be able to assess your at-home cleaning routine and give you pointers if they’ve noticed tartar buildup or other oral health problems.
- Your child will learn that the dentist is a safe place to be and that pediatric dentistry helps them feel better.
- Your dentist will be able to spot any early warning signs of oral health problems.
When do new teeth arrive?
A child’s first tooth will usually erupt before they’re a year old – the central incisors are usually the first teeth to emerge. It’s not unusual, however, for a different tooth to be the first to emerge.
Below, we’ve included a chart*, which includes all of the typical time frames for primary (“baby”) teeth to emerge and fall out. Again, a slight deviation from this timeframe is nothing to worry about. Take your child to see a dentist at least once every 6 months – they’ll be able to tell you if there’s anything to be concerned about.
| Upper Primary Teeth | When tooth emerges | When tooth falls out |
| Central incisor | 8 to 12 months | 6 to 7 years |
| Lateral incisor | 9 to 13 months | 7 to 8 years |
| Canine (cuspid) | 16 to 22 months | 10 to 12 years |
| First molar | 13 to 19 months | 9 to 11 years |
| Second molar | 25 to 33 months | 10 to 12 years |
| Lower Primary Teeth | When tooth emerges | When tooth falls out |
| Second molar | 23 to 31 months | 10 to 12 years |
| First molar | 14 to 18 months | 9 to 11 years |
| Canine (cuspid) | 17 to 23 months | 9 to 12 years |
| Lateral incisor | 10 to 16 months | 7 to 8 years |
| Central incisor | 6 to 10 months | 6 to 7 years |
For those of you with older children, we’ve included a chart* for when permanent teeth will come in:
| Upper Permanent Teeth | When tooth emerges |
| Central incisor | 7 to 8 years |
| Lateral incisor | 8 to 9 years |
| Canine (cuspid) | 11 to 12 years |
| First premolar (first bicuspid) | 10 to 11 years |
| Second premolar (second bicuspid) | 10 to 12 years |
| First molar | 6 to 7 years |
| Second molar | 12 to 13 years |
| Third molar (wisdom teeth) | 17 to 21 years |
| Lower Permanent Teeth | When tooth emerges |
| Third molar (wisdom tooth) | 17 to 21 years |
| Second molar | 11 to 13 years |
| First molar | 6 to 7 years |
| Second premolar (second bicuspid) | 11 to 12 years |
| First premolar (first bicuspid) | 10 to 12 years |
| Canine (cuspid) | 9 to 10 years |
| Lateral incisor | 7 to 8 years |
| Central incisor | 6 to 7 years |
What to expect when you visit
On your child’s first visit, we’ll provide an exam to assess:
- Your child’s risk of cavities
- Potential harm done by habits like finger-sucking
- Any potential problems, including issues with how your child’s teeth come together (bite)
We may also perform x-rays, though these are atypical for children under 2. We generally don’t do cleanings on the first visit unless absolutely necessary – we want your child to enjoy the experience, get to know our clinic as a safe, fun place to be and that pediatric dentristy is nothing to be afraid of! We’ll also give you pointers on cleaning your child’s teeth at home.
Caring for your child’s teeth
Taking care of your child’s teeth is simple. You should:
- Brush your baby’s teeth and gums twice a day using water and a tiny bit of fluoridated toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice).
- Start flossing your child’s teeth as soon as two teeth are touching.
- Teach your child to spit out toothpaste when they’re around 2 years of age.
- Take your child for regular dental visits, at least two per year.
- Teach your children to brush independently, supervising them until they’re around 6-8 years old.
Visiting the dentist regularly is one of the most important parts of caring for your child’s oral health. Call Dental House today, and get the high-quality pediatric dental care that your child deserves.