Your First Visit

Making The Dentist Fun From The Very First Visit

At Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry, we bring the “wow” factor to every visit, including the first! Our knowledgeable, board certified pediatric dentists and caring dental team use advanced technology and gentle and kid-friendly techniques to help your child feel comfortable. Along the way, we make sure your child has fun! Whether you’re introducing your infant or an older child to their new dental home, our goal is to make it a positive one. Below, find helpful information about what to expect at your child’s first dental visit with us in Wilmington, NC.

Dental team preparing for a patient’s first visit at Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry.

Why One Year? Your Baby’s First Dental Visit

Along with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, we recommend that you bring your baby in for their first pediatric dental appointment by their first birthday. This first visit is all about introducing your infant to the dentist in a positive and fun way. Our goal is to help them feel at ease and learn that they can trust Dr. Skip, Dr. Stephanie and Dr. Katie. Creating a positive dental experience early on also instills good oral habits and helps set your child up for a lifetime of good oral health.

Our Infant Oral Exam Room

We help our youngest patients feel at home in this special area and playroom. In addition to toys, we use gentle techniques to keep your child calm and engaged. To examine our youngest patients’ mouths, we use a technique called a “lap exam”. It involves the parent or guardian sitting knee-to-knee with Dr. Skip, Dr. Stephanie or Dr. Katie. Your child then sits in your lap while facing you and leans back into our pediatric dentist’s lap so they can more easily examine your child’s mouth. The whole exam is quick, only lasting about 1 or 2 minutes, and by sitting in your lap, your child remains calm and comforted by your presence.

Toddler at a pediatric dental office exploring a toy while being held by a parent.

Infant Oral Care FAQs

Caring for your baby’s growing smile can feel scary! We’re here to provide guidance every step of the way, even before you even walk through our doors. Here are some common questions and our expert answers on how to take care of the tiniest of smiles. If you have any other questions, our team is more than happy to answer them at your child’s first visit.

Though children’s teeth start forming even before they are born, your child’s first baby tooth will emerge from the gums anywhere from 6 to 12 months. However, some get their first tooth as early as four months!

Signs and symptoms of teething include sore, tender and irritated gums. You can help your baby find relief by gently rubbing their gums with the back of a cold spoon, giving them a teething ring or toy or wiping their gums with a wet cloth. Do not give your baby teething biscuits, as they have sugar which causes tooth decay.

Helping your baby fall asleep and putting them to bed with a bottle can cause baby bottle tooth decay. Signs include white spots on the surface of the teeth. Sugars in the liquid mix with plaque bacteria to form acids that attack enamel for about 20 minutes after each sip. While awake, saliva helps wash these acids away, but during sleep, saliva flow slows, allowing sugary liquids to pool around the teeth and cause damage. Instead, if your baby needs a bottle to fall asleep, substitute milk or juice with water.

As long as your child is comfortable with cleanings, we encourage you to stay in the waiting room. However, if you have a young child who is not ready to be alone during their visit, you can join them in the treatment room!

Your Child’s First Visit

At your first visit, we’ll give you and your child a tour of our state-of-the-art, spacious and fun office. We encourage you to stay in the waiting room while your child is in the treatment room with us unless absolutely necessary, as we find that our pediatric dentists are able to connect with them more quickly that way! Even if your child feels apprehensive about separating from you at first, we guarantee that our team’s fun and engaging style will have your child smiling in no time.

During your first visit, our pediatric dentists will also:

  • Evaluate the overall oral health of your child’s teeth, mouth and gums
  • Discuss your child’s diet, including their snacking habits
  • Talk about thumbsucking and other habits
  • Offer personalized prevention recommendations
  • Gather your child’s medical and dental information
  • Answer any questions you have as a parent
  • Help you have fun!

How To Prepare Your Child For Their First Visit

In the days leading up to the appointment, explain to your child in kid-friendly terms what they can expect. You can also help your child prepare for their first visit by reading them a book about going to the dentist for the first time! To request your child’s first visit with our team in Wilmington, NC, give us a call at (910) 791-7380. We look forward to hearing from you!

Healthy Smiles Start at Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry

Expert Pediatric Dental Care

At Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry, we make it easy to schedule your child’s next visit! Whether it’s their first dental checkup or a routine cleaning, our friendly team is here to ensure every experience is positive and stress-free. Give us a call at (910) 791-7380 and our team will confirm your preferred date and time. We look forward to helping your child enjoy a lifetime of healthy, happy smiles!

Curly-haired blonde little boy smiling at Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry after a pulpotomy treatment
Two smiling children hugging outdoors on a sunny day, showing healthy and happy smiles after a dental visit.
Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry light-blue logo featuring a smiling tooth surfing on a toothbrush wave with sun icons.

Catching Waves, Creating Smiles

2606 Iron Gate Dr., Suite 200, Wilmington, NC 28412

(910) 791-7380