Written By Pediatric Dentist Niloo Mofakhami, DDS

Many are not familiar with the American Dental Association’s and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s recommendation that we take our children to the dentist when their first teeth start to erupt (at around 6 months) or by no later than 12 months of age. Most of us may have been told that our children should first visit the dentist at 3 years of age, but, unfortunately, this often is too late for many children. Cavities (which are really bacterial infections) can occur soon after the first few teeth start to appear. Your dentist—or more specifically, a pediatric dentist, who has completed an additional two years of specialty training—will be able to work with you to determine the best ways to support healthy dental habits among your children. They can provide information and answer questions about oral hygiene, fluoride use, dental emergencies, pacifier use and thumb sucking, how to alleviate teething pains, and a “tooth-friendly” diet. For the full story, click here.