South Gaston Pediatric DentistrySouth Gaston Pediatric Dentistry | Pediatric Dentist | Kids Dentist | Children's Dentist | Lincolnton NC | Ggastonia NC | Kings Mountain | Rutherford County | Shelby NC | Dallas NC | Clover | Hickory Grove | Smyrna | Blacksburg

About Us

Children are not just tiny adults; they have special needs that must be addressed for them to receive proper care. Just as with general medicine, there are dentists who specialize in the care of children. Here at South Gaston Pediatric Dentistry, we are home to some of the best.

If you are searching for a dental provider who will listen to your concerns about your child’s oral health, makes them feel empowered when it comes to their own care, and makes certain you are always well informed when it comes down to making a decision, we are the dental home for you.

Here at South Gaston Pediatric Dentistry, we want every visit to be enjoyable, educational, and 100% positive for your child. Our mission is to help children develop the right habits for a healthy future while addressing any problems present, doing it all in an environment that is safe and welcoming. If you feel your child would best be served by a pediatric dentist, give us a call.

Why Should You Consider a Pediatric Dentist for Your Child?

Simply put, children have different needs than adults, both physically and emotionally. To be a pediatric dentist, one must complete a standard dental school program and then complete an additional two to three years of training focused exclusively on the treatment of children from infancy through their teenage years. Our doctors have completed this training and know how to create early dental experiences that put your child at ease while building confidence and knowledge. We are confident that we offer the best care for your child.

Meet Our Doctors

Our top priority is caring for your child’s oral health through
education, prevention, positive motivation and quality treatment.

Read Bio

Dr. Cecilia Hwang

We truly enjoy working with and teaching children. Our passion and enthusiasm for teaching kids the skills necessary for excellent oral health is seen through the fun and energetic environment created for our patients.

We hope to make every experience a positive one for our patients, and we hope that through positive reinforcement and motivation we can encourage patients and parents to invest in excellent oral health.

membership associations

Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry

Patient Care

First Visit

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											<h3>First Visit</h3>
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<div class="w-tabs-section"><div class="w-tabs-section-title"><span class="w-tabs-section-title-icon"></span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-text">Make An Appointment</span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-control"><i class="fa fa-angle-down"></i></span></div><div class="w-tabs-section-content"><div class="w-tabs-section-content-h"> When should your child first come see us?  The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a dental professional when their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday, depending on which comes first.  If your child is older and has yet to see a dentist, you can still come to us for care—it is never too late.  To schedule your first visit, you can give us a call, use our online form, or stop by the office.  We cannot wait to meet you and your child!</p>
<a href="#contact" class="g-btn type_primary size_medium"><span>Contact Us</span></a>
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<div class="w-tabs-section"><div class="w-tabs-section-title"><span class="w-tabs-section-title-icon"></span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-text">Contact Us</span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-control"><i class="fa fa-angle-down"></i></span></div><div class="w-tabs-section-content"><div class="w-tabs-section-content-h">The only way we can deliver personalized care is to get to know you and your child better.  To help, please complete our new patient registration packet prior to your first visit.  This allows us to learn more about you before the first appointment, making it easy to tailor our services from the very start.</p>
<a href="#contact" class="g-btn type_primary size_medium"><span>Contact Us</span></a>
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<div class="w-tabs-section"><div class="w-tabs-section-title"><span class="w-tabs-section-title-icon"></span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-text">Let Us Get to Know You Better</span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-control"><i class="fa fa-angle-down"></i></span></div><div class="w-tabs-section-content"><div class="w-tabs-section-content-h">We want to know all about you! We encourage you to read and complete our new patient registration packet prior to your first visit. This will allow us plenty of time to learn more about you and your family, and be prepared for your child’s first visit with us!</div></div></div>
<div class="w-tabs-section"><div class="w-tabs-section-title"><span class="w-tabs-section-title-icon"></span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-text">Your First Visit</span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-control"><i class="fa fa-angle-down"></i></span></div><div class="w-tabs-section-content"><div class="w-tabs-section-content-h">Your child’s first visit should be simple, allowing your child to get to know us and our practice and discover how safe and comforting a visit can be.  We go over best oral health care practices and teach your child how to care for their teeth.  Our doctors and assistants will also ensure that a thorough cleaning is delivered and an exam is completed.  You will be with your child the whole way so you can see how we work and give your child the sense of security they need.  Any questions you have will be addressed and we can work on specialized plans for your child’s care.</div></div></div>
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Services

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											<h3>Services</h3>
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<div class="w-tabs-section"><div class="w-tabs-section-title"><span class="w-tabs-section-title-icon"></span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-text">Preventative</span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-control"><i class="fa fa-angle-down"></i></span></div><div class="w-tabs-section-content"><div class="w-tabs-section-content-h">
All children deserve a healthy smile, and with the right care, they can obtain one.  Here at our pediatric dentistry practice, we offer the education and care needed to help all children smile bright and healthily.  The preventative care we offer includes:</p>
<ul>
<li>Professional cleanings to remove stains, plaque, and tarter buildup</li>
<li>Reviews of nutrition and dietary habits</li>
<li>Instruction on proper brushing and flossing</li>
<li>Assessment of cavity development risk</li>
<li>Evaluation of growth and development patterns</li>
<liDiscussion of poor oral habits that can damage the teeth</li>
<li>Preventative care such as fluoride treatments and sealants</li>
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<p>We also look forward to answering any questions or concerns you may have about your child’s oral health!<br />
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<div class="w-tabs-section"><div class="w-tabs-section-title"><span class="w-tabs-section-title-icon"></span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-text">Restorative</span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-control"><i class="fa fa-angle-down"></i></span></div><div class="w-tabs-section-content"><div class="w-tabs-section-content-h"> While we do our best to deliver healthy smiles, sometimes things happen that are out of our hands.  Cavities happen, teeth get chipped in accidents, and other incidents can occur.  Should this be the case for your child, our team will be able to deliver the restorative care they need, including spacers, crowns, and fillings.<br />
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Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a safe and effective way to help ease your child’s nervous when receiving dental treatment.  This gas is inhaled and allows your child to remain conscious during their procedure, but fully relaxed.  Nitrous oxide is not addictive and easy on the system.  When the treatment is over, we flush it out of the system using oxygen, allowing your child to leave while feeling 100% normal.<br />
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With general anesthesia, the patient is rendered completely unconscious so that they do not feel pain nor do they have any memory of the procedure.  This is used with patients who are both very fearful and have a large amount of dental treatment needed.  Depending on the situation, this may be done at our office or in a hospital. </div></div></div>
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Special Needs

Post-Op Care

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											<h3>Post-Op Care</h3>
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<div class="w-tabs-section"><div class="w-tabs-section-title"><span class="w-tabs-section-title-icon"></span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-text">Care of the Mouth After Local Anesthetic</span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-control"><i class="fa fa-angle-down"></i></span></div><div class="w-tabs-section-content"><div class="w-tabs-section-content-h">For young children, the numb feeling of local anesthetic can be confusing.  To try and make sense of it, they tend to chew, suck, or otherwise play with the numbed area.  However, this must be discouraged as it can cause irritation, set back the healing process, and can cause swelling.  Monitor your child closely for at least two hours after treatment to give the numbing a chance to wear off and eliminate the appeal of the bad habits.  A liquid or soft diet that doesn’t require chewing is recommended until the numbing has worn off.  Should your child bite their lip, cheek, or tongue while it is numb, use a cold compress to reduce swelling and if there is bleeding, apply gentle but firm pressure.  Call us if you have any questions or concerns.<br />
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<div class="w-tabs-section"><div class="w-tabs-section-title"><span class="w-tabs-section-title-icon"></span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-text">Care of the Mouth After Trauma</span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-control"><i class="fa fa-angle-down"></i></span></div><div class="w-tabs-section-content"><div class="w-tabs-section-content-h">Cleanliness is important with any injury, and it is especially true with oral trauma.  Keep the mouth clean and use a cold compress to reduce swelling.  If you notice any darkening of the teeth, this is a sign of the nerve dying and makes the child more susceptible to infection in the effected teeth.  Should you notice a darkening tooth or teeth or a bubble near the gums, contact us as soon as possible so we can render the appropriate treatment.</div></div></div>
<div class="w-tabs-section"><div class="w-tabs-section-title"><span class="w-tabs-section-title-icon"></span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-text">Care of the Mouth After Tooth Removal</span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-control"><i class="fa fa-angle-down"></i></span></div><div class="w-tabs-section-content"><div class="w-tabs-section-content-h">After tooth removal, the local anesthetic should remain in effect for a short while.  However, you will need to give your child an over-the-counter pain reliever to help them deal with the discomfort once the numbing has worn off.  You will want to avoid the use of straws or bottles that require your child to suck to drink and careful brushing must be used to keep the area clean without harming it for at least two weeks after the extraction.  You may notice a small amount of bleeding from time to time but should contact us if the bleeding seems too frequent or significant.<br />
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Emergencies

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											<h3>Emergencies</h3>
											<p>Any medical emergency is scary, and when it comes to dental emergencies, most of us have little frame of reference to figure out how to deal with them.  If you are unsure if something is an emergency, contact us.  If it is a clear emergency and your child needs immediate treatment, visit the ER.  Below are some simple guidelines on how to deal with dental emergencies.</p>
<p><strong>What to do if:</strong></p>
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<div class="w-tabs-section"><div class="w-tabs-section-title"><span class="w-tabs-section-title-icon"></span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-text">Your child’s baby tooth is knocked out.</span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-control"><i class="fa fa-angle-down"></i></span></div><div class="w-tabs-section-content"><div class="w-tabs-section-content-h"> <strong>Call us immediately and do not attempt to put the tooth back in.  When you come see us, we will need to know how the tooth was knocked out so we can render the best treatment after evaluating the injury.  In most cases, no further treatment will be needed.  Call out after hours number if the accident occurs outside of office hours.<br />
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<div class="w-tabs-section"><div class="w-tabs-section-title"><span class="w-tabs-section-title-icon"></span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-text">Your child’s permanent tooth is knocked out.</span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-control"><i class="fa fa-angle-down"></i></span></div><div class="w-tabs-section-content"><div class="w-tabs-section-content-h">Call us immediately.  If you can, locate the tooth and handle it by the white part, not by the root.  If the tooth has become dirty, rinse it with cold water for 10 seconds or less and do not use soap or scrub the tooth.  If possible, place the tooth back into the socket; if you cannot, put it in a container with a mixture of milk and your child’s saliva.  Get to us as soon as possible to increase the chances of saving the tooth.<br />
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<div class="w-tabs-section"><div class="w-tabs-section-title"><span class="w-tabs-section-title-icon"></span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-text">Your child has a toothache.</span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-control"><i class="fa fa-angle-down"></i></span></div><div class="w-tabs-section-content"><div class="w-tabs-section-content-h">With a toothache, chances are it is not a real emergency.  That means that in most cases, you can call us during office hours so we can schedule a prompt visit.  Ask your child to point out where exactly the pain is and see if there is any food stuck that might be causing the pain.  A loose or erupting tooth may also be causing pain.  If possible, try to remedy the problem at home.  If you cannot, come see us.  Also, if you see any swelling, contact us immediately as this may be an abscessed tooth.  For a non-emergency toothache, you can help your child feel more comfortable until you come see us by using a salt-water rinse, a cold compress, and/or an over-the-counter pain reliever.<br />
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<div class="w-tabs-section"><div class="w-tabs-section-title"><span class="w-tabs-section-title-icon"></span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-text">Your child’s tooth is chipped or fractured.</span><span class="w-tabs-section-title-control"><i class="fa fa-angle-down"></i></span></div><div class="w-tabs-section-content"><div class="w-tabs-section-content-h">Call us immediately.  Quick action can prevent infection and save the tooth as well as allow us to offer treatment that is less extensive.  Rinse the mouth with cold water, apply a cold compress, collect tooth fragments if possible, and see us as soon as you can.<br />
Your child receives a severe blow to the head or a jaw fracture.</p>
<p>Call 911 as a severe blow or jaw fracture can cause health problems well beyond the scope of oral healthcare.  After your child is treated at the ER, contact us so we can assess issues related to the teeth and jaw.<br />
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<p>Give us a call or visit our Post-Op care section if your child is experiencing dental pain that you believe is related to recent dental treatment.</p>
<p><div class="w-phone-patient"><i class="fa fa-phone"></i><span style="font-weight: 600; color: #10b7d9; font-size: 25px;"><a href="tel:+17045771900"> 704-755-1900 </a> </span></div>

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Prevention

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											<h3>Prevention</h3>
											<p>When it comes to oral injuries, the best way to treat them is to prevent them from occurring in the first place.  To reduce the likelihood of injuries occurring, we suggest the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Have your child wear a custom-fitted mouthguard when playing contact sports; it both protects the teeth and reduces the chances of a brain injury/li>
<li>In the car, keep your child in a child safety seat until they outgrow the seat according to the limits specified by the manufacturer and make everyone in the vehicle wear the seatbelts at all times. </li>
<li>Childproof your home so your child is less likely to fall and injure themselves on objects</li>
<li>Come to us for twice-yearly checkups</li>
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Testimonials

You were fantastic. Made TJ feel at ease and I would highly recommend you to anyone!!

-TJ’s Mom

We had the best experience. Everyone was so friendly and professional. I was very impressed and appreciated the treats and balloons for the boys. Thank you for providing such great care.

-Wilkes’ Mom

The entire staff was super caring and took my son’s special needs into consideration.

-Damien’s Mom

Loved this office! So warm and friendly. The doctor was very knowledgeable and easy to understand. Thanks!

-Zander’s mom

The hygienists are always so sweet and patient with the little ones! Dr. Cooke is wonderful and puts the kids at ease. We always look forward to our visit here. Thank you.

-Parker’s Mom
patient

We love you guys!! You are awesome and our son LOVES coming! He was so excited to brush his teeth that evening!! =)

-Christopher’s Mom

Share Your Experience!

3340 Robinwood Rd. Ste 140 | Gastonia, North Carolina 28054

704-755-1900

contactus@southgastonpd.com

Monday – Friday:
8:00 am – 5:00 pm

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REFUND POLICY

REFUND POLICY | PRIVACY POLICY

South Gaston Pediatric Dentistry, is pleased to offer our patients the ability to pay their bills online by using a secure payment portal. If there is an error with your transaction, it is important that you notify us immediately so that the cancellation or refund process can begin. Refunds may only result from overpayment, duplicate payment, or additional payments received from insurance. Any overpayment or credit will first be applied to any open account balances for the patient &/or guarantor. Refunds are only granted in the event of errors and overpayments and are only issued by check. Please allow 30 business days for a refund check to be processed. You may contact us at 704-755-1900 if you feel you have made an error in your transaction or if you have a question regarding a potential refund. You may also choose to review our privacy policy

About Us

Children are not just tiny adults; they have special needs that must be addressed for them to receive proper care. Just as with general medicine, there are dentists who specialize in the care of children. Here at South Gaston Pediatric Dentistry, we are home to some of the best.

Why Should You Consider a Pediatric Dentist for Your Child?

Meet Our Doctors

Our top priority is caring for your child’s oral health through
education, prevention, positive motivation and quality treatment.

Dr. Taylor Harlan

Dr. Celine Mvula

Dr. Cecilia Akintonde

Dr. Cecilia Hwang

We truly enjoy working with and teaching children. Our passion and enthusiasm for teaching kids the skills necessary for excellent oral health is seen through the fun and energetic environment created for our patients.

We hope to make every experience a positive one for our patients, and we hope that through positive reinforcement and motivation we can encourage patients and parents to invest in excellent oral health.

membership associations

Patient Care

First Visit

Services

Special Needs

Post-Op Care

Emergencies

Prevention

Testimonials

3340 Robinwood Rd. Ste 140 | Gastonia, North Carolina 28054

Send Us a Message

Online Payment Center

Visit our other offices!

3340 Robinwood Rd. Ste 140
Gastonia, North Carolina 28054

Phone: 704-755-1900

About Us

Children are not just tiny adults; they have special needs that must be addressed for them to receive proper care. Just as with general medicine, there are dentists who specialize in the care of children. Here at South Gaston Pediatric Dentistry, we are home to some of the best.

Why Should You Consider a Pediatric Dentist for Your Child?

Meet Our Doctors

Our top priority is caring for your child’s oral health through education, prevention, positive motivation and quality treatment.

Dr. Taylor Harlan

Dr. Celine Mvula

Dr. Cecilia Akintonde

Dr. Cecilia Hwang

We truly enjoy working with and teaching children. Our passion and enthusiasm for teaching kids the skills necessary for excellent oral health is seen through the fun and energetic environment created for our patients.

We hope to make every experience a positive one for our patients, and we hope that through positive reinforcement and motivation we can encourage patients and parents to invest in excellent oral health.

membership associations

Patient Care

First Visit

Services

Special Needs

Post-Op Care

Emergencies

Prevention

Testimonials

3340 Robinwood Rd. Ste 140 | Gastonia, North Carolina 28054

Send Us a Message

Online Payment Center

We look forward to returning to patient care, and the safety of our patient families is priority! Our offices will be implementing the following guidelines:

DR. CECILIA AKINTONDE

DR. TAYLOR HARLAN

DR. CECILIA HWANG

DR. CELINE MUVLA

OSCAR MVULA, DDS

Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

CHARLES COOKE, DDS, MS

Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

Visit our other offices!

3340 Robinwood Rd. Ste 140Gastonia, North Carolina 28054

Phone: 704-755-1900

Our top priority is caring for your child’s oral health through
education, prevention, positive motivation and quality treatment.

3340 Robinwood Rd. Ste 140
Gastonia, North Carolina 28054