What You Need to Know About Pediatric Extractions
A child’s set of baby teeth are meant to be lost so that their future adult teeth can come in. Generally, baby teeth are fall out naturally or happen to fall out due to forceful impact. In some cases, a baby tooth has to be extracted to make room for new adult teeth to come in. This helps prevent teeth crowding and misalignment of teeth.
Having a tooth extracted can be worrisome to a child. A child has no idea what to expect from an extraction procedure or the pain they may endure. Parents need to understand what’s involved in a pediatric extraction so that they can be informed and help their child better understand the experience they are going to endure.
Pediatric Extraction Procedure
Depending on the type of extraction your child needs will determine the type of treatment they will need post-procedure.
If your child’s tooth is visible and can easily be removed, their pediatric dentist will perform a simple extraction. When a simple extraction is performed the dentist will numb the area and extract the tooth with forceps.
If your child’s tooth is impacted, the pediatric dentist will have to remove gum tissue in order to remove the tooth. In this case, your child will need to be sedated before the procedure begins. Be sure to prepare your child by discussing what the procedure will involve with their dentist to calm any nerves they may have before the procedure.
Post Pediatric Extraction Care
After the tooth extraction procedure is over your child’s pediatric dentist will place gauze into your child’s mouth to control the bleeding. Gauze will need to be used until the bleeding stops and forms a blood clot.
Once your child is home be sure to follow these post-procedure tips to keep your child’s mouth healthy and clean.
- Give your child some over the counter pain reliever to ease the pain.
- Place ice packs on areas that are swollen to decrease inflammation for 2 to 7 days after the procedure.
- Have your child stick to soft foods for at least 24 hours after the procedure.
- Don’t let your child drink anything through a straw, because this could remove the formed blood clot.
- Make sure that your child continues their normal dental routine with brushing and flossing while avoiding the extraction area. They need to be gentle when doing this.
- Contact your child’s dentist immediately if your child experiences symptoms such as fevers, chills, severe pain, or swelling.
Contact Hamby Family Dental About Your Child’s Oral Health Today!
Have peace of mind knowing that your child is in excellent hands when they visit Hamby Family Dental Center. Our team is experienced with children of all ages and want to ensure that your child’s dental experience is an enjoyable one. Schedule an appointment today by calling (919) 552-2431 or fill out our appointment request form.