First-visit and infant dental exam at Lambton Dental
A first dental visit is really a conversation between the dentist and the parent, with a very gentle look at the child’s teeth and gums. At Lambton Dental in West Toronto we welcome infants and toddlers for a knee-to-knee exam, teething and feeding guidance and simple coaching on brushing that first tooth at home.
What is a first-visit and infant dental exam?
Canadian dental guidance suggests a first look at a child’s teeth by about the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. The visit is short, gentle and designed as much for the parent as it is for the child. The dentist checks the front teeth, the gums, the roof of the mouth and any early bite pattern, and provides guidance on brushing, feeding and teething at home.
For toddlers who are old enough to sit in the chair, we usually use a knee-to-knee position: the parent sits knee to knee with the dentist, and the child rests back into the dentist’s lap for a brief look while holding the parent’s hands. Once your child is ready for a full cleaning and exam — usually around age three — we move to our children’s dentistry visits.
When to book a first infant dental visit
A first-visit and infant exam is the right choice when:
- Your child is turning one, or the first tooth has appeared within the last six months.
- You’d like advice on teething, thumb-sucking, pacifier use, or night-time bottle or breast feeding as it relates to teeth.
- You’ve noticed white or brown spots on a front tooth, or a chip that happened during a fall.
- Your family is new to Lambton Dental and you’d like the dentist to meet everyone in the household.
- You are unsure how much toothpaste to use, or when to start flossing between the baby teeth.
If your child is older than three and ready for a full cleaning, please see children’s dentistry. For general adult and family care in one place, our family dentistry page describes how the whole family is scheduled together.
What to expect at your child's first visit
Welcome and conversation
The team greets you and your child, gives you a short intake form and invites you into a calm, warm operatory. The visit is unhurried on purpose.
Parent interview
The dentist asks about your child's medical history, feeding routine, teething experience, sleep habits and any concerns you have. This is often the most useful part of the visit.
Knee-to-knee exam
With your consent and your child on your lap, the dentist gently lifts the lips to check the front teeth, feels the gums and any emerging molars, and looks at the bite. The exam itself takes about a minute.
Home-care coaching
The dentist and hygienist show you how to brush the emerging teeth, how much toothpaste to use, and how to make brushing easier at home. You leave with clear instructions written out.
Optional fluoride varnish
If any teeth are present, a small brush of fluoride varnish may be offered to strengthen the enamel. The varnish is quick and does not require the child to hold still for long.
Next-visit plan
The team books a recall visit at the interval that suits your child, typically every six months, and provides written guidance you can refer to at home between visits.
If your child becomes upset during the visit, we pause. Nothing is forced, and the goal of the first visit is a positive experience that makes future visits easier.
Between the first visit and future visits
Most of what protects an infant or toddler’s teeth happens at home. Brush the emerging teeth twice a day with a soft baby brush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste — the amount grows to a pea-size around age three. Avoid falling asleep with a bottle of milk or juice, and clean the front teeth with a soft cloth after night-time feeds.
As more teeth come in, the dentist and hygienist will show you when to begin flossing between them and how to make it part of the bedtime routine. If any concerns come up between visits — a chipped tooth from a fall, a lingering white spot, or persistent night-time waking that may be related to teething — call the office and we will fit you in. Our next milestone together is usually the first full cleaning and exam around age three at our children’s dentistry visit.
Cost, insurance, and CDCP / IFHP coverage
The cost of a first-visit and infant exam is modest and depends on whether a fluoride varnish is applied. The dentist provides a written estimate before the visit, and no treatment is booked without your understanding of what it involves.
Most Canadian dental insurance plans cover an infant exam and fluoride varnish for children under a preventive category, and we direct-bill wherever your plan allows. Lambton Dental is also a provider for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP); both programs cover eligible children and we confirm coverage before the visit.
For families without insurance, our payment options page explains billing openly.
For larger treatment plans, monthly payment plans through a third-party financing partner are available on approved credit — ask at your consultation or see our payment options.
Why families choose Lambton Dental for a first visit
- The visit is unhurried and designed around the parent's questions, not just a quick tooth check.
- We use a gentle knee-to-knee approach so the child stays close to the parent throughout.
- You leave with a written brushing and feeding plan you can refer back to at home.
- We direct-bill CDCP, IFHP and major Canadian insurance carriers wherever your plan allows.
- Evening and weekend appointments make it easy to fit visits around family life.
- Our team serves patients in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Related services
Frequently asked questions about a first infant visit
How old should my baby be at the first dental visit?
Canadian dental guidance suggests a first look by about the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. The visit is short and gentle, and most of the time is spent talking with the parent about brushing, feeding and teething at home. There is no minimum age if you have a concern.
Will you be able to check my baby's teeth if they don't want to open their mouth?
Very often, yes. We use a gentle knee-to-knee position and lift the lips briefly to check the front teeth. If your child is having a hard day, we pause. Nothing is forced. The goal of the first visit is a positive experience so future visits become progressively easier for everyone.
What should I bring to the appointment?
A completed intake form, your insurance details, a favourite comfort toy or blanket for your child and a spare change of clothes in case of spills or drool. If you have specific questions about teething, feeding or a spot you have noticed on a tooth, write them down so we can review them together.
Is fluoride varnish safe for infants?
Yes. Fluoride varnish is a very small amount painted onto the teeth, and Canadian dental and public-health bodies consider it safe and useful for infants and toddlers who have teeth. It helps strengthen the enamel where cavities most often begin. The dentist reviews your child’s history before applying it.
My baby still uses a bottle at night — is that a problem?
Falling asleep with a bottle of milk, formula or juice lets sugars sit against the teeth for long stretches and can cause early childhood cavities. Wiping the front teeth with a soft cloth after night-time feeds helps, and the dentist will review your feeding routine and suggest gentle changes at the visit.
How much toothpaste should I use for a baby or toddler?
For children under three, use a smear of fluoride toothpaste — about the size of a grain of rice. From age three onward, use a pea-sized amount. Brush twice a day with a small soft baby brush. The hygienist demonstrates the technique that suits your child’s age at each visit.
Does CDCP cover an infant exam?
Yes. The Canadian Dental Care Plan covers eligible children and Lambton Dental is a provider. We confirm your child’s coverage before the visit and explain any co-payment openly. Coverage details depend on the family’s eligibility and the services provided, and we can walk you through this at the appointment.
Book a first infant dental visit
Book online or call (416) 666-3700 to arrange a first visit. The team will greet your child gently, work at your pace and provide a written home-care plan before you leave.
CDCP welcome
We welcome patients covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan and can help you understand what's covered.
Learn about CDCP →IFHP welcome
We are registered to treat patients under the Interim Federal Health Program and bill Medavie Blue Cross directly.
Learn about IFHP →Direct billing
We bill all major Canadian dental insurance carriers directly, so you pay only what your plan does not cover.
How direct billing works →