Extracting Baby Teeth: Why Your Child’s Dentist Recommends It

You can’t get enough of your child’s growing smile, so you do everything you can to keep it healthy. Unfortunately, if your little one is like many others, accidents can happen, and cavities can form, regardless of how many steps you take to prevent them. When they do, you may be surprised to hear that their pediatric dentist wants to perform a tooth extraction! What might be the reason, and what can you and your child expect?

What Reasons Do Baby Teeth Need to Be Extracted?

When meeting with your child’s dentist, they will recommend tooth extraction if:

• A decayed tooth cannot be sufficiently treated with a dental filling, crown, or pulp therapy.
• They have a broken or damaged tooth that cannot be repaired.
• They require braces but need enough space for teeth to move.
• Baby teeth are refusing to fall out on their own, which is making it harder for permanent teeth to erupt.

What Can You and Your Child Expect When Preparing for Tooth Extraction?

You and your child will meet with their pediatric dentist for a scheduled consultation. This visit will also include reviewing their medical history and whether they need additional sedation on top of the local anesthesia they will receive.

On the day of the procedure, their dentist will numb the area around the affected tooth, so they do not feel any pain. If necessary, they will receive dental sedation to help calm their nerves. Using smaller dental instruments, the dentist will gently grasp the tooth and move it back and forth until it detaches.

Fortunately, the entire process usually takes only minutes, but this often depends on how many teeth need to be removed.

What Kind of Aftercare is Required?

After the procedure is finished, your child will need to return home and rest for the remainder of the day. It will take time for the anesthesia to wear off, so they should not eat or drink anything until the numbness goes away.

There will be gauze over the area to reduce any bleeding, which you may need to change out until a blood clot forms. They can enjoy soft foods, including yogurt, ice cream, and applesauce, but should avoid anything hard or crunchy for several days. They will also need to avoid using any straws and spitting, as these can dislodge their blood clot.

If necessary, you can provide them with an over-the-counter pain reliever to help reduce discomfort and use a cold compress. They will need to maintain good oral hygiene during this time, but be sure they are careful when cleaning around the wound.

If tooth extraction is necessary, trust that your child’s pediatric dentist will take proper care of them so that they can enjoy a healthier smile in the future.

About the Practice

As a pediatric dental office in Grayslake, Kids Dentist is designed to help young patients feel comfortable while learning about the benefits and importance of good oral health. Our four board-certified pediatric dentists ensure nothing but safe, positive, and effective treatment, regardless of your child’s needs. If a tooth extraction is recommended, you can trust that we will take the best possible care of your little one from start to finish, so do not hesitate to contact us at (847) 223–1400 to schedule a consultation.