Upton and Baker DDS - Wake Forest

Child’s First Appointment in Wake Forest

A child's initial visit to the dentist sets the stage for lifelong oral health.
Call 919-263-2143

A Lifetime Of Smiles Starts With A Good Foundation

Setting a solid foundation for oral health early in life can lead to a lifetime of beautiful smiles. It’s essential to establish good dental hygiene habits in children and actively support their dental development. We recognize the complexities and joys of caring for a family, and we know that children require thoughtful, specialized attention. A healthy smile is a crucial aspect of childhood. Let us help you guide them onto the right path with personalized care tailored to their unique needs.

Getting Ready For Your First Appointment

It’s beneficial to discuss the upcoming dental visit with your child to prepare them for what’s ahead. The primary objective of their first visit is to create a comfortable, enjoyable environment where they can begin to build a positive rapport with the dentist. Understanding what to expect can help alleviate any nervousness. Here’s an overview of what your child will experience during their initial appointment:

Talk and Listen

During the visit, we’ll engage both you and your child in conversation, explaining what we’re doing and why. We’ll introduce your child to some of the tools we use, using child-friendly terms and clarifying any dental jargon to ensure they feel comfortable and secure. You’ll see, there’s nothing to be afraid of here!

Gently Examine

We’ll begin by softly examining your child’s teeth, gums, and tongue to assess their overall oral condition. Should any areas require more focused care, we’ll provide specific recommendations for home treatment. Additionally, we’ll ensure these areas receive extra attention at the following appointment.

Educate

During the visit, we’ll ask your child to demonstrate their brushing technique. This gives us a chance to provide helpful tips on how to brush more effectively, ensuring they get the most out of their oral care routine. We encourage you and your child to ask questions during this time—learning more about dental health can be both fun and beneficial!

Contact us today

to schedule an initial consultation & exam.

Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Typically, a child’s first tooth will make an appearance around the age of six months. To ensure a healthy start to their dental care, it is ideal to schedule their first dentist visit by their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth’s arrival. Schedule a dentist appointment immediately if your child exhibits any discomfort, pain, or signs of dental problems. Remember, it’s important to establish good dental habits early, and it’s never too late to start with their first dental check-up.

Primary teeth, or baby teeth, are crucial for more than just making room for permanent teeth. They play a key role in a child’s facial development, affecting their smile and overall facial appearance. Additionally, confidence in their smile can boost a child’s self-esteem. Dental pain, even if mild, can negatively impact a child’s eating habits, influencing how they chew, their food preferences, and the amount they eat, with long-lasting effects on their health.

The duration of your child’s first dental appointment may vary, primarily based on their specific needs and how at ease they feel during the exam. Typically, you can plan for this initial visit to last about one hour. This time allows the dentist to thoroughly assess your child’s oral health while ensuring a comfortable and non-rushed experience, setting a positive tone for future dental visits.

It’s recommended that your child visits the dentist every six months for routine checkups and cleanings after their first appointment. If your child experiences symptoms like jaw pain, avoids certain foods, or frequently touches their jaw, consider scheduling an earlier appointment. Regular dental visits are essential for maintaining good oral health and establishing lifelong dental habits.

Think of your mouth as a network that includes your teeth, tongue, gums, and more. If one part, like your gums, starts having issues like swelling or soreness, it can affect your whole mouth. These signs might seem small, but they can be early warnings of bigger problems. It’s important to pay attention to these symptoms and take care of your entire mouth to keep it healthy.

Encourage brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and limiting sugary treats. Regular dental check-ups are essential.

Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent decay. It’s found in toothpaste, some water, and professional dental treatments.

Google Verified Patient Reviews

Adriane Elek
3 weeks ago
Both my son and I see Dr Baker. Dr Baker is friendly and takes his time explaining everything. You don’t feel like just another patient. The staff is amazing. Everyone is so friendly and they instantly make you feel comfortable. My 5 year old son loves going to the dentist! I definitely recommend Upton and Baker to anyone looking for a great dentist!
More
RH.
3 weeks ago
I recently moved to Wake Forest and needed to find a dentist. I visited Upton & Baker DDS today for my routine dental cleaning and to address a concern I had with my teeth. They were very professional from the moment they called me to schedule an appointment till the moment I left their office this afternoon. Victoria did an amazing and thorough cleaning. She worked very gently and made me feel at ease. Dr. Baker was also very pleasant. He took his time with speaking to me and explained everything very clearly. All and all, I felt really comfortable and I am happy that I have found my new dentist.
More
Zachary Ambrose
1 month ago
I've been searching for a dentist with a similar small-town feel since mine retired a couple of years ago. I've been to four other practices in the triangle and all of them have felt, for lack of a better word "corporate". I had my first cleaning with Dr. Baker this morning and it felt like I was right back in my old dentists office again. He was compassionate, personable, and made you feel like a person and not a patient. He took the time to thoroughly review my X-rays and went out of his way to make sure I was happy with my experience. I think I've finally found my new dentist!
More
Maria Baker
1 month ago
Very kind and courteous staff. Dr. Baker was so incredibly nice and gentle as I tend to be very nervous at the dentist’s office. He took lots of care to make sure I was comfortable and calm, and he explained everything clearly and thoroughly. He and the whole staff are very knowledgeable and experienced. I trust them with dental care for my whole family. Highly recommend this practice.
More
Marcus Allen
4 months ago
Best Dentist in the area. Great hygienists and the dentists always take the time to discuss any areas of improvement or concern. Other places I feel like they are rushing you in and out as quickly as possible. I have recommended at least 4 people to go there and they all love it. If Baker or Upton are unsure of the best course of treatment, they will call other specialists to get their opinion. My wife went to 3 other dentists before Baker, and he was able to figure out the issue after a week. I can not recommend them enough.
More
Adriane Elek
3 weeks ago
Both my son and I see Dr Baker. Dr Baker is friendly and takes his time explaining everything. You don’t feel like just another patient. The staff is amazing. Everyone is so friendly and they instantly make you feel comfortable. My 5 year old son loves going to the dentist! I definitely recommend Upton and Baker to anyone looking for a great dentist!
More
RH.
3 weeks ago
I recently moved to Wake Forest and needed to find a dentist. I visited Upton & Baker DDS today for my routine dental cleaning and to address a concern I had with my teeth. They were very professional from the moment they called me to schedule an appointment till the moment I left their office this afternoon. Victoria did an amazing and thorough cleaning. She worked very gently and made me feel at ease. Dr. Baker was also very pleasant. He took his time with speaking to me and explained everything very clearly. All and all, I felt really comfortable and I am happy that I have found my new dentist.
More
Zachary Ambrose
1 month ago
I've been searching for a dentist with a similar small-town feel since mine retired a couple of years ago. I've been to four other practices in the triangle and all of them have felt, for lack of a better word "corporate". I had my first cleaning with Dr. Baker this morning and it felt like I was right back in my old dentists office again. He was compassionate, personable, and made you feel like a person and not a patient. He took the time to thoroughly review my X-rays and went out of his way to make sure I was happy with my experience. I think I've finally found my new dentist!
More
Maria Baker
1 month ago
Very kind and courteous staff. Dr. Baker was so incredibly nice and gentle as I tend to be very nervous at the dentist’s office. He took lots of care to make sure I was comfortable and calm, and he explained everything clearly and thoroughly. He and the whole staff are very knowledgeable and experienced. I trust them with dental care for my whole family. Highly recommend this practice.
More
Marcus Allen
4 months ago
Best Dentist in the area. Great hygienists and the dentists always take the time to discuss any areas of improvement or concern. Other places I feel like they are rushing you in and out as quickly as possible. I have recommended at least 4 people to go there and they all love it. If Baker or Upton are unsure of the best course of treatment, they will call other specialists to get their opinion. My wife went to 3 other dentists before Baker, and he was able to figure out the issue after a week. I can not recommend them enough.
More
Upton and Baker DDS - Wake Forest

Request an Appointment Today

Call 919-263-2143