The short answer: when the first tooth comes in, or before their first birthday — whichever comes first. The real answer: most parents wait too long. In Miami-Dade, the average age for a first dental visit is 3 years old. By then, 1 in 4 kids already has at least one cavity.
It's not the parents' fault. Nobody told them baby teeth matter that much. But they do — they're placeholders for permanent teeth, and an infection in a baby tooth can damage the adult tooth developing underneath.
A child's first dental visit isn't like yours. There are no needles, no drill, nothing scary. It's basically a friendly 15-20 minute checkup.
What DOES happen: The dentist checks the teeth that have come in, the bite, gums, and looks for early signs of cavities or developmental issues. They count the teeth (kids love knowing how many they have). They may apply fluoride varnish — a liquid painted on with a tiny brush that tastes like strawberry.
What DOESN'T happen: No X-rays on the first visit (those usually start at age 3-4). No deep cleaning. Nothing that causes pain or discomfort.
The real goal is for the child to associate the dentist with something positive. That first experience determines whether your kid will fear the dentist for the next 15 years.
The worst thing you can say is "it won't hurt" — because now you're suggesting it might. Don't promise a reward for "being good" either — that implies there's something worth being afraid of.
What works: Talk about the visit as something normal and even fun. "We're going to see a friendly doctor who'll count your teeth." Read a story about going to the dentist. Play dentist at home with a toothbrush and a small mirror. Kids mirror what they see — if you're relaxed, they will be too.
What doesn't work: Sharing your own dental horror stories. Using the dentist as a threat ("if you don't brush, the dentist will pull out your teeth"). Bringing the child to your own appointment where they can hear drill sounds.
Good news: Florida Medicaid covers 100% of preventive dental care for children under 21. That includes exams, cleanings, X-rays, sealants, fluoride, and basic treatments. No copay.
The Medicaid plans most Kendall families have — Sunshine Health, Molina Healthcare, and Staywell — all cover pediatric dental. Many parents don't know this because they've never used their plan's dental benefit.
If your child has Medicaid and hasn't been to the dentist, you're literally leaving money on the table. Your child's preventive dental care is already paid for.
"Baby teeth don't matter because they'll fall out anyway." False. A cavity in a baby tooth can become infected, cause severe pain, and damage the permanent tooth underneath. Also, if a baby tooth is lost prematurely, neighboring teeth shift and the permanent one may come in crooked — leading to orthodontics later.
"My kid doesn't eat candy, so they can't get cavities." Fruit juice, chocolate milk, and even animal crackers have sugars that bacteria love. The most common cavity in young kids is "bottle decay" — caused by falling asleep with a bottle of milk or juice.
"I brush their teeth every night, that's enough." Twice a day is the minimum. And until age 7-8, kids don't have the motor coordination to brush properly on their own. They need supervision and help.
At PureSmile Miami, we see children from their very first visit. Our team speaks English and Spanish, and we have experience with nervous pediatric patients — which is most of them the first time. We accept Medicaid, most PPO insurance, and Medicare Advantage plans for grandparents bringing the grandkids.
Schedule your child's first visit. It's free with Medicaid, takes 20 minutes, and can save them years of dental problems.
