A word from the dentists

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommend babies have their first visit to a dentist by the time they are 1 year old, or no later than six months after the eruption of their first tooth.

“We see many 1-year-olds every day at Open Door Family Medical Centers,” says Dr. Bozzone. “The first visit for a baby is usually very simple. We check and examine the baby’s teeth, look for any signs of decay, demonstrate the correct way to brush and usually apply a fluoride treatment. Fluoride helps strengthen the outermost layer of the tooth, the enamel, so it is more resistant to decay.”