Dentists believe it is important for patients of all ages to keep their natural teeth as long as possible. This includes young children who still have their baby teeth. The idea is for them to remain in place until it is time for them to fall out naturally. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, and a pediatric dentist may recommend tooth extraction. If you’re unsure why this procedure is necessary, keep reading.
Why Do Baby Teeth Need to Be Extracted?
In most cases, damaged or decayed baby teeth can be treated with restorative solutions, including dental fillings. However, when this is not enough or fails to work, extraction may be required. Other reasons for removal include:
- Your child sustains a serious dental injury that causes a baby tooth to become cracked, chipped, or detached from its socket.
- Your child requires orthodontic treatment, and a baby tooth is refusing to fall out on its own.
- Your child has an abnormally shaped baby tooth or extra teeth that may cause overcrowding.
- Your child has gum disease that is affecting the underlying bone.
How to Prepare Your Child for Tooth Extraction
Whether your child needs a simple or more complex tooth extraction, knowing how to prepare them for this procedure is important. You can start by using positive language when talking about the dentist’s office and how well they will do during their visit. Mentioning a post-procedural treat may help keep their mind off what will occur during their appointment.
Many parents find that talking to the dental team beforehand to arrange comfort-based amenities (such as dental sedation or a special toy) can help ensure their child has what they need to remain calm during their tooth extraction.
What Kind of Aftercare is Required?
After tooth extraction, your child will need time to rest and recover at home. Local anesthesia will be administered, so they’ll need to wait to eat anything until after the medication wears off, as their mouth will be numb until then. Other post-operative care includes:
- Use an over-the-counter pain reliever to manage their discomfort.
- Keep gauze on the surgical area until the bleeding stops.
- Keep their head elevated while resting.
- Have them eat soft foods for a few days after the procedure.
- Make sure they drink lots of water.
Baby tooth extraction can be a necessary step toward improving your child’s oral health. If so, trust that their dentist will keep them comfortable and safe from beginning to end.
About the Author
Dr. Layne Benzley earned his dental degree from the University of Iowa. He completed his pediatric dental specialty certificate from the Eastman Dental Center at the University of Rochester and is officially a board-certified pediatric dentist. Offering tooth extractions for young patients in need, he works closely with parents and children to create comfortable experiences that produce positive results. If your child is preparing for tooth extraction and you need further guidance, contact us at (303) 660-5373 to schedule an appointment.