What to Know About Dental Extractions for Your Child

Tooth extraction is difficult for anyone but can be especially terrifying for a child. A child may already have difficulty dealing with regular dental cleanings, much less an extraction. For that reason, you need to prepare yourself for the process so you can help your child cope with the extraction. Here is what you need to know:

1. Why Would a Child Need a Tooth Extraction?

First, you should understand why a child would need a tooth extracted in the first place. Even though children's teeth are not permanent, they can still decay so badly that they need to be removed before they fall out on their own or if a root canal will not help. Sometimes baby teeth need to be extracted to make room for others if they begin to crowd.

2. What Type of Extraction Does Your Child Need?

The extraction required for your child will depend on the issue with the tooth. If the tooth is easy to get to, the child will only require a simple extraction. The dentist will inject a local anesthetic and remove the tooth quickly. If the tooth is impacted, the dentist will likely need to remove some of the gum tissue around the base of the tooth to remove it. This is a more complicated process that will require a longer recovery time. Before this procedure, be sure to talk about the steps of the process with your child so they'll understand what is going to happen. If your child has a favorite stuffed toy, blanket, or other comfort item, be sure to bring it along to help ease anxiety.

3. What Should You Do After the Extraction?

Once the extraction is over, your child will have to recover. They will have some gauze to bite on for a short period of time. You will need to change the gauze until the bleeding ends. You may need to give your child some over-the-counter pain reliever along with an ice pack for any swelling. Be sure to have some soft foods on hand for your child that they can eat without straws. Sucking on a straw can cause a dry socket in the gum, which is painful. If you notice excessive bleeding or painful symptoms after the first day after the extraction, be sure to call the dentist for help and guidance.

For more insight, contact local clinics that provide dental extraction services.