Does my child need a tooth extracted?
While there are many reasons for teeth to be extracted, the most common reason among children is to prepare space for larger adult teeth. Another reason to extract a tooth is if it has decayed past saving or if it is dead. If you’re wondering if your child needs a tooth extracted, please give us a call. We would love to examine the tooth and situation first.
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What’s the procedure like?
Local anesthesia
Your child won’t feel a thing! Before we do any pulling or pushing, we numb not only the tooth we’re pulling, but the localized area with a local anesthetic. This makes the process super quick, easy, and painless.
Extract the tooth
Our dentist will then extract the tooth using a few tools. Depending on the situation, some teeth don’t need much pressure, while others take a few tricks to remove. Extractions are among the easier procedures, so it won’t take long at all.
post-oP care
Over the next few days, you’ll notice white tissue fill the area. This white tissue is just a scab and it will fade within a few days. Depending on when the tooth was pulled during your child’s development, the dentist may need to place a space maintainer in place of the extracted tooth.
What are the most common teeth children have extracted?
If a child is prone to cavities, they’re at a higher chance of having a tooth pulled due to decay. Pre-molars are very common because they have the most surface area for a child to develop cavities.
If it’s starting to look like your child has multiple rows of teeth like a shark, they may need to have the baby teeth extracted. Once the baby tooth is removed, the adult tooth moves into its place from behind or in front.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dry socket?
After a tooth has been extracted, the gums will begin to heal over the next several days. First, a blood clot will form and protect the socket. Then it will begin to heal with a white-like scab and then look like normal gum tissue. If this healing process is interupted and the socket becomes exposed, it's likely to become a "Dry Socket." A dry socket is a socket without the blood clot covering the nerve. With the nerve exposed, eating and drinking can become extremely painful. Most dry sockets will heal on their own, but it's important to keep them clean to prevent infection.
What can I do to help my child after their tooth is extracted?
Depending on which tooth was extracted, your child may find it difficult to chew through their meals. Providing soft foods for the next few days will help your child heal comfortably.