Your Baby's First Dental Visit in Raleigh, NC

Q: When should my baby first see a dentist?

A baby's first dental visit should take place by their first birthday or when the first tooth erupts, whichever comes first. Early visits help identify potential issues and establish healthy oral care habits from the beginning.

Q: What happens at an infant's first visit?

The first visit is typically brief and gentle, often using a knee-to-knee examination with the parent. The dentist checks the baby's teeth and gums and provides guidance on brushing, feeding, teething, and oral health care.

Q: Do you treat tongue-tie or lip-tie?

The dental team evaluates infants for tongue-tie and lip-tie and provides recommendations. If a frenectomy is needed, families are referred to a trusted specialist while care coordination continues.

Q: How do I brush my baby's teeth?

Brush your baby's teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, even if only one or two teeth have erupted. Proper brushing techniques are demonstrated during the visit.

Q: What is baby bottle tooth decay?

Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when teeth are repeatedly exposed to sugary liquids, such as milk or juice, especially during overnight bottle feeding. Limiting bedtime bottles and practicing good oral hygiene can help prevent it.

Q: Is my child too young for a dental visit?

No. Dental professionals recommend scheduling a child's first dental visit by age one or when the first tooth appears. Even one tooth benefits from an early examination and preventive guidance.

The first dental visit should happen earlier than most parents expect — by the first birthday. Here's why, and what to expect when you come in.

First Visit by Age 1

Gentle, No-Pressure Approach

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New-Parent Friendly

THE SHORT VERSION

Your child should see a dentist by their first birthday, or whenever the first tooth appears, whichever comes first. That first visit is short and low-key — a gentle look in the mouth, a check on how the teeth and jaws are developing, and practical coaching for you on brushing, feeding, and teething. If we spot a lip or tongue-tie that may need treatment, we assess it and refer you to the right specialist, since we don’t perform that procedure on-site.

Why So Early?

It surprises a lot of parents, but the recommendation from children’s dental and pediatric groups is clear: that first visit belongs around the first birthday. The point isn’t a deep cleaning on a one-year-old. It’s to catch the earliest signs of decay before they become real problems, to make sure the teeth and jaws are developing normally, and to get you the at-home guidance that actually prevents cavities in the first place. Starting early also means the dentist becomes a familiar, friendly place rather than a scary one.

What Happens At the visit

This first appointment is gentle and brief. For babies and young toddlers we often do a knee-to-knee exam, where your little one lies back from your lap into ours, so they stay close to you the whole time. We count the teeth that have come in, check the gums and bite, and look for anything that needs watching. Mostly, though, it’s a conversation — we show you how to clean those new teeth, talk through feeding and what’s driving early decay, and answer the questions every new parent has.

Teething, Bottles, and Brushing

We’ll help you handle the everyday stuff that affects baby teeth. Teething is uncomfortable but normal, and we’ll share what genuinely helps. We’ll also talk about one of the biggest hidden causes of early cavities: putting a baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice, which bathes the teeth in sugar overnight. And we’ll show you how to brush a baby’s teeth — a smear of fluoride toothpaste, twice a day, even on just one or two teeth.

Lip and Tongue-Ties

If your baby is struggling with feeding and you’re wondering about a lip or tongue-tie, we’ll take a careful look and give you an honest assessment. When a tie does need to be released, we refer you to a trusted specialist who performs that procedure, as we don’t do frenectomies on-site. Our role is to evaluate, point you in the right direction, and stay part of your child’s ongoing care.

We accept Medicaid and most plans — see the Raleigh insurance page.

Dino Kids Dental of Raleigh

Address: 5321 Tin Roof Way, Suite 101 Raleigh, NC 27616

Phone: (919) 341-2257

Hours: Mon–Thu: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Select Fridays by availability — call to confirm

Questions Parents Ask Us

When should my baby first see a dentist?

By the first birthday, or whenever the first tooth comes in, whichever is sooner. The early visit catches problems before they start and helps your child grow up comfortable with the dentist.

What happens at an infant's first visit?

It's short and gentle, often a knee-to-knee exam so your baby stays close to you. We count and check the teeth and gums and spend most of the time coaching you on brushing, feeding, and teething.

Do you treat tongue-tie or lip-tie?

We assess for ties and give you an honest opinion, but we don't perform frenectomies on-site. If a release is needed, we refer you to a trusted specialist and stay involved in your child's care.

How do I brush my baby's teeth?

Use a soft brush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste twice a day, even if only one or two teeth are in. We'll show you the technique at the first visit.

What is baby bottle tooth decay?

It's decay caused by frequent or overnight exposure to sugary liquids like milk or juice in a bottle, which coat the teeth while your baby sleeps. Avoiding the bedtime bottle is one of the best things you can do.

Is my child too young for a dental visit?

No — that's the point of the age-one recommendation. Even a single tooth is worth a look, and an early, friendly visit sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy habits.

Gentle Extractions When a Tooth Can't Be Saved.

That first visit by age one sets the tone for a lifetime. Book your child’s first appointment, or call with any new-parent question.

Related: Exams & Cleanings — Habit Counseling — Dental Sealants