Do you know when your child’s first dental visit should be? According to a survey for the Delta Dental Plans Association, the average age American children start seeing their dentist is 2.6 years old. However, this is far later than is recommended by both dental and pediatric experts. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry reports that a child’s first dental visit should be done before their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth erupting. Does this sound too early? 62% of caretakers thought that by 12 months old, their child didn’t need to see a dentist because they were too young or didn’t have enough teeth. Your Long Island City pediatric dentist lays out the most important reasons why you need to take your son or daughter to the dentist for the first time before they turn one.

A healthy mouth isn’t just about how white your teeth are. Your gums need to be cleaned and taken care of as well! Unfortunately, simple gum care can easily be forgotten and leave your gums vulnerable to infection and disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of the adult population suffers from gum disease. Although relatively harmless at first, this easily preventable condition is the leading cause of tooth loss in the U.S. Read on as your Long Island City dentist breaks down what gum disease is and how you can protect your happy, healthy smile.