We make it a point to do everything we can to preserve every single one of your child’s precious teeth, but sometimes removal is necessary. At OPD Smiles, we want to ensure that tooth extractions for kids in Lucas are performed smoothly without causing unnecessary anxiety. We can use sedation dentistry to make sure your child is as comfortable as possible throughout the process. If you have any questions or think an extraction might be necessary, contact our office today.
Why Does My Child Need a Tooth Extracted?
There are a few different situations where your child might need to have a tooth removed by a pediatric dentist in Lucas:
- Tooth Decay or Damage: While there are many different ways for us to treat cavities, sometimes the damage is too severe and an extraction is needed to protect the rest of the teeth as well as your child’s overall health. We might also need to remove broken teeth that can’t be repaired.
- Orthodontic Preparation: If the teeth are very crowded, some may need to be removed before braces can be placed.
- Over-Retained Baby Tooth: Baby teeth are normally allowed to fall out naturally on their own, but if they stay in the mouth too long, an extraction may be required to make room for the permanent tooth.
The Tooth Extraction Procedure
After using an X-ray to check the tooth roots and the state of the bone, your children’s dentist in Lucas will choose an appropriate method of removal. Most of the time, it’ll be a simple extraction that uses forceps to take the tooth out of its socket; for more complex cases we may need to remove a small amount of gum tissue.
We can use different types of sedation to keep your child calm and comfortable. Simple extractions usually only require a local anesthetic, but for complex extractions or children with dental anxieties, we can offer nitrous oxide or IV sedation instead.
After the Extraction
Your child may experience a little bleeding after the procedure; let them know that this is normal. Avoid rinsing in the area for 24 hours in order to allow a protective blood clot to form. Afterwards, your child can rinse with salt water to keep the socket clean. You can use pain medication such as ibuprofen or an ice pack to help them feel more comfortable. Be on the lookout for a fever or excessive swelling, as it could signal an infection.
Your child should only eat soft foods for about a week. Remind them to drink lots of water to help keep their mouth clean.