Your First Pediatric Dental Visit

Dedicated To Your Child’s Oral Health

At Wake Pediatric Dentistry, our goal is to make sure your child is as happy, comfortable and healthy as possible during their first visit. During your child’s first visit, we want nothing more than to give your child a healthy, beautiful little smile, along with a positive first dental experience. This is a crucial time in your child’s life—introducing them to a positive dentistry experience can help them have a good impression and experience with dentistry for life. Our pediatric dental specialists, Dr. Stephen C. Pretzer, Dr. David Kornstein, Dr. Rob Moran, and Dr. Travis Hicks have years of experience working with even the smallest of smiles. Along with our friendly team, they are dedicated to your child’s health.

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When should a child visit a dentist for the first time?

We recommend that you bring your infant into the dentist for the first time either when they reach the age of one, or within six months of the eruption of their first tooth. Our comprehensive pediatric dental services include:

Pediatric dental care for infants, special needs, teens, and preschool/school age children
Preventative cleanings, fluoride, and sealants
Composite fillings (white tooth colored fillings)
Hospital dentistry
In-office nitrous sedation, also known as laughing gas

Serving Raleigh and Garner NC (North Carolina) — Dr. Stephen C. Pretzer, Dr. David Kornstein, Dr. Rob Moran, and Dr. Travis Hicks are your pediatric dentists, offering dental care for infants, children and teens. During your child’s first visit, we will:

Review dental and medical history forms
Take X-rays of the teeth and mouth
Clean and polish your child’s teeth, checking teeth and gums for any cavities or early signs of tooth decay or gingivitis

After the checkup and teeth cleaning are complete, one of our dentists will meet with you and your child to discuss X-rays, help create an individual treatment plan, and answer any questions that you may have. Please remember to bring the following with you to your child’s first appointment:

Your completed patient information form
Your insurance card

Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Dentistry

At Wake Pediatric Dentistry, we are here to answer any questions you may have about your child’s dental care. Below, we have compiled some answers to commonly asked questions, as well as tips and tricks to keep your child’s teeth healthy and strong.

What’s the difference between a pediatric dentist and a regular dentist?

Our pediatric dentists have at least two additional years of training beyond dental school. This extra training focuses on management and treatment of a child’s particular needs, teeth, growth and development and behavior. This specialized training combined with the passion of our dentists, ensures that children feel safe and happy during their dental visit.

How often should I bring my child to the dentist?

We recommend that you bring your child in every six months for a cleaning and checkup.

Are X-rays safe for my child?

Yes, pediatric X-rays are safe for your child. We are especially careful to minimize any radiation during X-rays.

How much toothpaste should I use for my child?

For infants, use a soft, damp washcloth to clean your child’s gums. Once their baby teeth erupt, you can use a tiny amount of toothpaste on an infant toothbrush to clean their teeth. Once they reach 3 years old, you can increase the toothpaste to a pea-sized amount until they are 6 years old. Help your child brush their teeth effectively and make sure that they do not swallow any toothpaste.

When will you use in-office nitrous sedation, or laughing gas?

We will only use in-office sedation if your child is very young and unable to sit still, or if your child is very anxious or afraid of the dentist. Sedation dentistry allows our pediatric dentists to make sure your child receives either dental treatment or oral surgery in a comfortable and controlled way. Sedation dentistry is also very safe for an anxious child.

Wake pediatric patient hugging stuffed monkey

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Smiles Crafted With Precision, Care And Expertise

When it comes to your family’s oral health, seeking the expertise of Wake Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry is a choice that ensures quality, personalized care. Whether you’re seeking pediatric dental care or orthodontic treatment for your family, our team is dedicated to delivering exceptional service every step of the way. From the moment you reach out to us, you’ll experience professionalism, warmth and a commitment to creating healthy, beautiful smiles.