A happy smiling young girl holding a stuffed monkey

WELCOME TO WAKE PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Dedication To The Oral Health of Children, From Infancy Through The Teen Years

Children are not born with a fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. Our office makes a practice of using pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe your child’s first dental visit and treatment. We want you to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office.

Pediatric dentistry

Your Child’s First Visit To The Dentist

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child’s newly-erupted teeth (erupting at 6-12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning. A child’s first visit to the pediatric dentist should be enjoyable and positive. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel.

Gentle, Kid-Friendly Care with Solea® Laser Dentistry

Solea® laser dentistry makes visits easier for kids by offering a comfortable, needle-free approach to treatment. With less noise and minimal discomfort, children can feel more at ease while receiving fast, effective care.

Solea dental laser technology logo used at wake orthodontics & pediatric dentistry
Raleigh's best logo

WAKE ORTHODONTICS & PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY IS A GOLD WINNER IN THE BEST PEDIATRIC DENTIST CATEGORY

We are proud to announce that Wake Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry has been voted as the gold winner in the “Best Pediatric Dentist” category in Raleigh’s Best from The News & Observer! Thank you to all of our incredible patients for your overwhelming support. We couldn’t do this without you!

Why Use A
Children’s Dentist?

Pediatric Dentistry offers:

  • Dedication to the oral health of children from infancy through the teen years

  • Use of specially designed equipment for pediatric patients

  • Wide range of treatment options

  • Expertise in exam and treatment methods that make children feel comfortable

When New
Teeth Arrive

Your child’s first tooth erupts between ages 6-12 months and the remainder of their 20 primary or “baby” teeth typically erupt by age three. During this time, gums may feel tender and sore, causing your child to feel irritable. To help alleviate this discomfort, we recommend that you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring.

Your child’s primary teeth will fall out at various times throughout childhood, and their permanent teeth begin erupting at age six and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth, 32 including wisdom teeth.

Adopting Healthy Oral
Hygiene Habits

As new teeth erupt, examine them every two weeks for lines and discoloration caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes their teeth after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing four times a day for optimal oral hygiene: after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and at bedtime. Brushing can be fun, and your child should brush as soon as the first tooth arrives. When a baby’s tooth erupts, parents should brush the tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. For children younger than two, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by your dentist or other health professional. We suggest reviewing proper tooth brushing procedures with your child.

Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and your dentist will discuss with you the right time to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact your dentist immediately.

Preventing Tooth
Decay

Tooth decay is preventable. Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid which can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason — many children and adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular visits to a pediatric dentist will help keep tooth decay away. A low-sugar diet also helps keep tooth decay at bay.

Your child should visit the pediatric dentist every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they “seal” the deep grooves in your child’s teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your regular checkups.

Protect Your Child’s Teeth With Fluoride

You brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly and visit the dentist every six months. But did you know that rinsing with fluoride — a mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay — also helps keep your teeth healthy and strong? Fluoride is effective in preventing cavities and tooth decay by coating your teeth and preventing plaque from building up and hardening on the tooth’s surface.

Fluoride comes in two varieties, topical and systemic:

  • Topical fluoride is applied directly to the tooth and includes toothpastes and mouth rinses.

  • Systemic fluorides are generally only used by your dentist and are not often available for at-home use. Systemic fluoride treatments are generally designed to help protect the oral health of children undergoing dental procedures. Fluoride used in the dentist/orthodontist’s office is often a much stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash, but is available at some drug stores or pharmacies (ask your dentist before purchasing professional strength fluoride).

A girl smiling pointing to her beautiful white teeth

Receiving a fluoride treatment from your dentist

A fluoride treatment in your dentist’s office takes just a few minutes. After the treatment, patients may be asked not to rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health or your dentist’s recommendation, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six, or twelve months. Your dentist may also prescribe an at-home fluoride product such as mouthwash, gels, or antibacterial rinses.

How to choose the right fluoride treatment

When choosing your own at-home fluoride product (such as toothpaste or mouthwash), always check for the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of acceptance. Products marked with the ADA seal of approval have been carefully examined and approved by the ADA based on safety and effectiveness. With dental flouride treatments, you can take care of your teeth and smile bright!

Wake patients smiling in dental chairs
Wake pediatric patient hugging stuffed monkey
Wake exterior signage

READY TO GET STARTED?

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.