The first trip to the dentist should happen as soon as that first tooth appears. It's a milestone that you'll never forget. You'll probably feel more nervous than your little one. Just remember it is very, very unlikely your children will need any treatment at all at this stage. Your children's first dentist visits (when they're around six months old) should really just be to make sure everything's growing and developing the way it should.

As your children get a little older, you might like to take them with you when you visit the dentist for your own check-ups. That way, they'll get accustomed to being at the dentist and will be far more familiar with the sights and smells of this weird and wonderful place!

Of course, a lot of adults are nervous about going to the dentist - usually as a result of negative associations developed in our childhoods. As you know, your children pick up on your fears and can learn from them. So it's really important not to show that you're scared.

Take the time to talk to your dentist about oral care and how your children's teeth are developing. Your dentist will advise you on when to bring them in for their regular check-ups. If they're really child friendly, they might even let your children come in and have a ride in the chair!