Dental Care for Kids
From your newborn's first tooth to the last day of middle school — gentle, age-appropriate care that builds confident, cavity-free kids.
From newborn to tween
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child's first dental visit within six months of their first tooth coming in — and no later than age one. From there, every stage of childhood has its own dental focus: habits and parent education in the toddler years, prevention and cavity-proofing through elementary school, and a smooth transition into adult care by middle school.
Agape has a board-certified pediatric specialist on staff — Dr. Ye-Ming Wu (DDS, MS), founder of Agape and a UCSF Clinical Professor — alongside our full team of general dentists who see children across all three Bay Area offices.
First visits, parent education
Short lap exams, parent guidance on brushing, pacifiers, bottles, and diet. The goal is familiarity — making the dentist a normal, non-scary place before your child has any reason to fear it.
Prevention, monitoring, early ortho
Regular cleanings, sealants, fluoride, cavity management, and watching how permanent teeth come in. We also flag early orthodontic concerns and refer to Dr. Luke Wu at Agape Braces when the timing is right.
What we do at every stage
Care changes meaningfully as kids grow. Here's what we offer across each age range.
No tricks, no surprises
For babies and toddlers, we skip the dental chair entirely. The exam happens with your child on your lap, sometimes lying back into ours — the knee-to-knee position. Your hands are on them throughout. It's calmer for them and actually easier for us to see.
As kids get older, most of what makes a dental visit hard isn't the cleaning itself — it's the unknown. So we don't hide what we're doing. Before anything goes in your kid's mouth, we show them the tool, let them touch it, and explain what it does in words they understand. Then we do it. We work at their pace: if they need a break, they get one.
You're welcome to stay in the room. Some kids do better with a parent next to them; others feel more grown-up with a little space. Whatever works for your family works for us.
What we cover at the first visit
The first visit is mostly a conversation with you. We do a quick check of what's in the mouth, but the real value is the parent guidance that follows. We cover how to brush a tiny mouth — technique, how much toothpaste, and how to actually get it done — pacifier and thumb habits and when to start gently stopping them, what's actually causing toddler cavities when it comes to bottles and sippy cups, the tooth eruption timeline and what teething should and shouldn't look like, snack and drink choices that make a meaningful difference, and whatever questions you've been holding onto since your child was born.
A child who has always seen the dentist is a child who never had a reason to be afraid. That's the best outcome we can give a family.— Agape Dental Group
Things parents ask
Isn't age one too early for a dentist?
It sounds early, but it's the consensus recommendation from the AAPD, ADA, and American Academy of Pediatrics. The first visit is mostly parent education plus a quick exam. Catching habits and early decay before they compound prevents much larger problems later.
What if my child cries the whole time?
Completely normal. We can do a meaningful exam in 60 to 90 seconds — we don't need a calm, cooperative patient. A fussy toddler is still a toddler we can examine. Parents apologize for this constantly. Please don't.
How often should my child see a dentist?
Every six months from around age two onward. Two visits a year catches early decay before it grows, tracks how permanent teeth are coming in, and keeps your kid comfortable with the routine. Kids at higher risk — frequent cavities, braces, special needs — may benefit from every three to four months.
Are sealants really worth it?
Yes — for most kids, absolutely. The chewing surface of a permanent molar has tiny grooves that toothbrushes physically can't clean, and that's where the majority of childhood cavities form. Sealants seal those grooves shut. The CDC estimates sealants prevent up to 80% of cavities in back teeth for the first two years after placement. Quick, painless, and the most cost-effective preventive treatment we offer.
Is fluoride safe for babies and children?
Yes — in the amounts used at this age. A rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste for babies under three, pea-sized from age three onward. In-office fluoride varnish is also safe and very effective. Both are recommended by the AAP from the first tooth onward.
My child hates the dentist. What can we do?
You're far from alone. We start with a short no-procedure visit — just meeting the team, seeing the room, getting a toothbrush — then build slowly from there. For very anxious kids or kids who need more done in one appointment, sedation with Dr. Amos Yang, MD, our board-certified anesthesiologist, is the safest way to make a longer visit manageable.
When do baby teeth fall out?
Most kids lose their first baby tooth around age 6, starting with the lower front teeth. The process continues through about age 12 to 13. We track eruption at every checkup — if things are significantly off schedule we'll flag it and explain what it means.
When should my child see an orthodontist?
The AAO recommends an initial evaluation by age 7. We do this assessment at Agape and refer to Dr. Luke Wu at Agape Braces when early action would make a meaningful difference. Complimentary orthodontic consultations are available — ask at any visit.
Do baby teeth really matter if they fall out anyway?
More than most parents expect. Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth, aid speech development, and affect chewing. A baby tooth lost too early from decay allows neighboring teeth to drift and crowd the permanent tooth behind it. Healthy baby teeth also make for an easier transition to adult dental care.
Will insurance cover my child's dental care?
Most dental insurance plans cover two cleanings, exams, and necessary X-rays per year at 100% for kids. Sealants and fluoride are typically covered. We work with Aetna, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, United Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross, Principal, and other major PPO plans. We verify coverage before any visit.
What if my child chips a tooth or has a dental emergency?
Call us right away. Dental emergencies — chipped teeth, knocked-out teeth, sudden severe pain — are treated as same-day priorities at all three offices. For a permanent tooth knocked out completely, put it in milk and call immediately. Baby teeth that get knocked out are usually not re-implanted, but still warrant a visit to check for damage underneath.