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

Marayda Marley
1 month ago
Great experience! Staff was very nice and courteous. Dr. Upton took his time and in no eush to explain things. Love the atmosphere.
More
Keiko Nakamoto
6 months ago
Just had my second visit to Dr. Upton. On my first visit, Dr. and his assistant, Jessica, did a thorough evaluation of my situation. He asked me questions about my dental history and actually listened carefully to my concerns. Then he left to review my x-rays and options for treatment. When he returned, he gave me some options, which I REALLY appreciated. He even took into consideration my dietary habits and the fact I don't like prescription medications. Not even my physicians gave me that kind of concern!! Today I had my tooth pulled out and he took into consideration my financial situation and did it under local anesthesia, where my previous experience was done under general anesthesia. It was less expensive and totally tolerable. I'm glad that he considers the whole patient, the tolerance to pain, the budget and the treatment preferences. I also appreciate that he sat on a stool and spoke to me face to face. His office staff, Jessica, Megan and Priscilla are all equally attentive and considerate. Thank you everyone 💓! Yes, I would recommend their services to anyone in need of dental care.
More
Meg Coffey
9 months ago
Professional, courteous and thorough. Dr Baker and staff take time to explain what they’re doing, what options you have and check often in your comfort level during procedure. Very happy to recommend them to anyone in the market for dental services.
More
J C
1 year ago
I’m thankful that I found this dental practice. From the staff, upfront, to the dental assistant Kelly, and Dr. Baker, they have been absolutely wonderful. After having had previous experiences that were not ideal, I was reluctant to find a new dentist that I could trust. I read all the five star reviews for Upton & Baker and tried it out for myself, very happy that I did as they make you feel right at home. Dr. Baker is absolutely wonderful and fantastic and I can’t say enough good things about him. He’s Very professional and skilled, top to bottom. Cannot recommend him more highly. Dr. Baker is so thorough and informative, and lets you know every step of the way what’s going on so there are no surprises. Very calming, as well. Thank you!!
More
This was by far the best dental visit I have had in years. Priscilla was great assisting me with getting my appointment booked and offering me an earlier appointment when one came available. Bonnie was AMAZING!! She went very in depth in my cleaning and took the time to help me understand what she was doing and the benefits of each step, no dentist has ever taken the time to help me understand more about my gums and teeth like she did...very educational! Doctor Kevin Upton was great too, he is very friendly and personable. Will be booking all of my dentist appointments with them from now on. 10/10
More
Marayda Marley
1 month ago
Great experience! Staff was very nice and courteous. Dr. Upton took his time and in no eush to explain things. Love the atmosphere.
More
Keiko Nakamoto
6 months ago
Just had my second visit to Dr. Upton. On my first visit, Dr. and his assistant, Jessica, did a thorough evaluation of my situation. He asked me questions about my dental history and actually listened carefully to my concerns. Then he left to review my x-rays and options for treatment. When he returned, he gave me some options, which I REALLY appreciated. He even took into consideration my dietary habits and the fact I don't like prescription medications. Not even my physicians gave me that kind of concern!! Today I had my tooth pulled out and he took into consideration my financial situation and did it under local anesthesia, where my previous experience was done under general anesthesia. It was less expensive and totally tolerable. I'm glad that he considers the whole patient, the tolerance to pain, the budget and the treatment preferences. I also appreciate that he sat on a stool and spoke to me face to face. His office staff, Jessica, Megan and Priscilla are all equally attentive and considerate. Thank you everyone 💓! Yes, I would recommend their services to anyone in need of dental care.
More
Meg Coffey
9 months ago
Professional, courteous and thorough. Dr Baker and staff take time to explain what they’re doing, what options you have and check often in your comfort level during procedure. Very happy to recommend them to anyone in the market for dental services.
More
J C
1 year ago
I’m thankful that I found this dental practice. From the staff, upfront, to the dental assistant Kelly, and Dr. Baker, they have been absolutely wonderful. After having had previous experiences that were not ideal, I was reluctant to find a new dentist that I could trust. I read all the five star reviews for Upton & Baker and tried it out for myself, very happy that I did as they make you feel right at home. Dr. Baker is absolutely wonderful and fantastic and I can’t say enough good things about him. He’s Very professional and skilled, top to bottom. Cannot recommend him more highly. Dr. Baker is so thorough and informative, and lets you know every step of the way what’s going on so there are no surprises. Very calming, as well. Thank you!!
More
This was by far the best dental visit I have had in years. Priscilla was great assisting me with getting my appointment booked and offering me an earlier appointment when one came available. Bonnie was AMAZING!! She went very in depth in my cleaning and took the time to help me understand what she was doing and the benefits of each step, no dentist has ever taken the time to help me understand more about my gums and teeth like she did...very educational! Doctor Kevin Upton was great too, he is very friendly and personable. Will be booking all of my dentist appointments with them from now on. 10/10
More
    Upton and Baker DDS - Wake Forest

    Request an Appointment Today

    Call 919-263-2143