When should my baby have their first dental visit?

Following American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines, bring your baby for their first dental visit by their first birthday or when their first tooth appears, whichever comes first.

What should I expect during my baby's first dental visit?

The first visit includes a gentle examination of your baby’s mouth, teeth, and gums. We’ll discuss oral hygiene, feeding practices, and address any concerns about teething or habits like thumb-sucking.

Infant Dentistry in Oakland, CA

Q: How should I clean my baby's gums and first teeth?

Clean your baby’s gums with a soft, damp cloth after feedings. Once teeth appear, use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush with water. We’ll demonstrate proper cleaning techniques during your visit.

Q: How can I help my baby during teething?

We provide guidance on safe teething remedies and techniques to help soothe your baby’s discomfort during this natural process.

Q: What feeding practices support healthy infant dental development?

We’ll discuss how different feeding practices affect oral health, including guidance on bottle use, night-time feeding, and transitioning to cups.

Montclair Pediatric Dentistry is a boutique pediatric practice that offers infant dentistry for babies in Oakland, CA. Founded by board-certified pediatric dentists Dr. Lina Paek and Dr. Rebecca Hsieh, the practice draws on 20 years of their combined clinical experience.

Our team guides new parents through your baby’s first dental visit and the early habits that set up a lifetime of healthy teeth.

A gentle first visit, usually by your baby’s first birthday
Practical guidance on cleaning, feeding, and teething
Care that starts before the first tooth even appears

When Should My Baby See a Dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit within six months of your baby’s first tooth coming in, or by their first birthday, whichever happens first. Starting this early lets us catch small issues before they become bigger ones, and gives you a chance to ask questions while your baby is still too young to mind the visit much at all.

The Benefits of Early Dental Care

Here’s what early, consistent dental care actually does for your baby.

Early Prevention

Assessing your baby’s mouth as soon as teeth appear helps us catch potential issues before they turn into bigger problems.

Development Monitoring

We track oral growth patterns, tooth eruption, and jaw development at every visit, so we notice anything unusual early.

Hygiene Education

Before teeth arrive, wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after feedings to help keep bacteria in check. Once the first tooth appears, usually around six months, switch to a small, soft-bristled toothbrush with a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste; you don’t need more than that until your child is older.

Feeding Guidance

How and when your baby feeds matters too. Prolonged bottle use, especially at bedtime with anything other than water, gives sugar more time to sit on new teeth and raises the risk of decay.

How Cavity-Causing Bacteria Spread to Babies

Cavities aren’t just about sugar. The bacteria that cause them can pass from a caregiver’s mouth to a baby’s through ordinary moments like sharing a spoon, blowing on food to cool it down, tasting food before feeding it, or kissing your baby on the lips.

None of this means holding back affection with your baby. A few small habit changes, like using a separate spoon or letting food cool on its own, can lower the amount of cavity-causing bacteria your baby is exposed to before they even have a say in the matter.

Your own dental health plays a part too. If you or other caregivers have untreated cavities, getting them treated helps reduce the bacteria you can pass on to your baby.

Why Choose Montclair for Infant Dental Care

Dr. Paek and Dr. Hsieh have specific training in infant oral health, not just pediatric dentistry in general, which matters more than it might sound like at this age; a lot can be learned or missed in a mouth that doesn’t have many teeth yet.

We also work with you, not just your baby. Feeding questions, teething worries, thumb-sucking – these come up constantly in the first two years, and we’d rather answer them at a visit than have you searching for answers at 2 a.m.

My husband and I, and most importantly our 2 year old son, absolutely loved our first experience at the Montclair Pediatric Dentistry, or any dentist for that matter. Dr. Rebecca and her team were incredibly friendly, warm and thoughtful. We were greeted with a personalized welcome sign and an abundance of toys and games for various ages as well as other fun distractions to keep our son occupied while being examined. Dr. Rebecca truly has an amazing way with children and made our son feel very comfortable with her at all times during the appointment – even when she was flossing his teeth! We are thrilled with the services and would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Rebecca and the Montclair Pediatric Dentistry to our friends and family (which we already have!).

Kimberly Chu

I can't say enough wonderful things about Montclair Pediatric Dentistry! Recently, my daughter had a little mishap and bumped her front teeth. In a moment of panic, I reached out to Dr. Lina's office, and Evelyn at the front desk was incredibly accommodating in getting us in for an appointment right away. From the moment we arrived, Dr. Lina's warm and welcoming demeanor put my daughter at ease. She took the time to thoroughly examine her teeth and was exceptionally informative about what to expect in terms of healing. ... What truly stood out was Dr. Lina's gentle approach. You can genuinely see her passion for pediatric dentistry; she connects with her young patients in a way that makes them feel safe and cared for. ... I am so grateful for the exceptional service we received and will definitely be bringing my other children to Montclair Pediatric Dentistry. I highly recommend Dr. Lina and her team to all my friends and family.

Lisa Chagolla

We had a great experience here. We've tried several different pediatric dentists over the years and feel so lucky to have found Montclair Pediatric Dentists! Everyone in the office was warm and helpful. Their office is new, clean, kid-friendly and beautiful. Before we even started, Dr. Lina noticed a food allergy in my daughter's health history and she provided the ingredient list of the materials they use, ensuring safety. The dental hygienist, Viridiana, and Dr. Lina did the most careful and extensive cleaning compared to my daughter's past dentists. They were gentle and explained the process thoroughly. ... Even with a one hour commute, my daughter loved her visit and is happy to go back!

Tiffany Cho

Took my kids to Montclair Pediatric Dentistry this morning and it was a great experience. Dr. Lina was kind, thorough and engaging with my children. The office staff were super friendly, knowledgeable, and welcoming. The office just opened up in June and it's a really beautiful designed space...I appreciate all the details that make the uneasy experience of going to the dentist very pleasant. Thankful that our other dentist fell out of our insurance network and that we get to have an even better dentist now!

Erica Tran Wang

We love Montclair Pediatric Dentistry. We switched here due to an insurance change and were nervous about how our 7 year old would handle it. But they've gone from absolutely dreading the experience to telling us - unprompted - how much they love Dr. Lina and the new office. So happy we're here.

Alison Michael

I visited this location and I gotta say my son and I had an A+ experience at Montclair Pediatric Dentistry during our recent visit with Dr. Hsieh. The team was warm, welcoming and understood my son's dental needs. Dr. Hsieh has a kind and gentle way with kids, making dental visits a fun and positive experience. My son left with a big smile and a newfound excitement about brushing his teeth. Highly recommend Montclair for anyone looking for a caring and professional pediatric dentist!

Bryan Lin

My four year old son had his first appointment today with Montclair Pediatric after deciding to switch from his former office and we were super happy with everything. The waiting area is so intentional and thoughtful with Montessori type toys that encourage learning, tons of sweet books (including some about going to the dentist to help the nervous kiddos) and even coffee for the adults. Dr. Rebecca was very sweet and my son actually enjoyed his visit. The office is clean, calm, fun and inviting. Happy to have found our new pediatric dental office.

Maria del Rio

Dr. Lina is the best! We had a great experience at her new office. My kids had previously seen Dr. Lina at a different location, and they wanted to continue seeing her as their dentist. It is challenging to find a pediatric dentist that is a good match for my kids, so we were more than happy to follow her to her new location. ... I appreciate Dr. Lina's swift hand skills, her comprehensive approach towards treatments and prevention, and her ability to communicate effectively with both kids and parents. I also appreciate Dr. Lina's efforts to preserve the natural tooth as much as possible, with a focus on prevention and long-term health. ... Also, her office is beautiful and welcoming! My kids really enjoyed their visit. I cannot recommend Dr. Lina enough!

G Follows White Rabbit

Your Baby's First Dental Visit

Here’s what to expect during the visit:

A gentle, hands-on exam. Our pediatric dentists check your baby’s mouth, teeth, and gums while keeping them calm and secure, using techniques built specifically for infants.
A cleaning demonstration. We show you proper cleaning techniques you can use at home, suited to your baby’s stage.
A conversation about feeding and habits. We talk through feeding practices that support healthy teeth, along with common concerns like teething and thumb-sucking.
Time for your questions. We answer anything you’re wondering about your baby’s oral development before you leave.

A few things help the visit go smoothly on your end too:

Time it around naps and feedings. A baby who isn’t overtired or hungry handles the visit better.
Bring a comfort object. A favorite blanket or stuffed animal can help your baby feel secure.
Keep the language upbeat. Telling your baby the dentist is going to “count their teeth” works better than avoiding the topic altogether.

Other Treatments That May Fit Your Child's Needs

A couple of other services may be worth knowing about as your baby grows.

Dental Exams

Once your baby has a few teeth, regular exams every six months keep track of how things are developing.

Preventive Dentistry

Cleanings, fluoride, and sealants become part of the routine as your child grows out of infancy.

Schedule a Consultation Today

If your baby’s first tooth has come in, or their first birthday is coming up, now’s the time to schedule their first visit. Book a consultation, and we’ll walk you through exactly what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

A few common questions parents ask before their baby’s first visit.

What is infant dentistry?

Infant dentistry focuses on dental care for babies from birth through early toddlerhood, starting before the first tooth even appears. It covers early prevention, monitoring oral development, and teaching parents how to care for their baby’s mouth at each stage.

How should I clean my baby's gums and first teeth?

Wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after feedings, and once the first tooth appears, switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush with a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste. We’ll walk you through this in person at your baby’s first visit.

How can I help my baby during teething?

A clean finger, a cool washcloth, or a teething ring can ease the discomfort. Skip teething gels that contain benzocaine; they’re not considered safe for infants, and check with us before trying anything else.

Does my baby need to be evaluated for tongue-tie or lip-tie?

If your baby is having trouble latching or feeding, it’s worth mentioning at a visit so we can take a look. We’ll evaluate whether the tie is playing a role and, if treatment is needed, refer you to the right provider.

What feeding practices support healthy infant dental development?

Avoiding prolonged bottle use, especially at bedtime, is the biggest one. See the Feeding Guidance section above for more on how feeding habits affect your baby’s teeth.

Infant Dentistry in Oakland, CA

When Should My Baby See a Dentist?