Perhaps you think adults are the only ones who’d need a tooth pulled. After all, don’t kids lose their “baby teeth” with time anyway? What would be the point of removing them? In truth, though, there are good reasons a child may need a tooth extraction. Left unaddressed, the pearly white could cause long-term problems. To learn more, let your pediatric dentist explain. Here is a summary of why kids might need a tooth extraction, how to prepare them for one, and tips on post-extraction care.
Reasons for a Childhood Tooth Extraction
Yes, children naturally lose their “baby teeth” around elementary school age. Their permanent chompers push through the gums until the temporary ones come out. However, some kids have issues that require a dentist to pull teeth early.
There are various reasons a child might need an early tooth extraction. The most common ones are:
- Extreme Tooth Decay – Sometimes, a decayed baby tooth can’t be fixed with a filling or root canal. Instead, it needs to be forcibly removed.
- Overcrowding – If a child’s mouth lacks enough room for all their teeth, a baby tooth’s presence could cause overcrowding. The solution is then to remove said tooth.
- Mouth Trauma or Injuries – If a child’s teeth get damaged from an accident or injury, they may need to be removed.
- To Prep for Braces – Occasionally, baby teeth don’t fall out at the appropriate age; they stick around too long instead. When that happens, a dentist may extract them to allow adult teeth to erupt and proceed with braces.
How to Prepare a Child for Extraction
Of course, a child may fear the idea of a tooth extraction. You should thus prepare them for the procedure ahead of time.
Generally, the best way to prep your tyke is to have them visit the pediatric dentist. Doing so helps them understand what to expect from treatment. From there, they’ll feel confident that the process won’t surprise them and avoid needless anxiety before the procedure. (If necessary, reassure them they’ll be sedated during treatment.)
Tips for Post-Op Care
Overall, post-extraction care for a child matches what you’d do for an adult. As such, you should consider the following tips:
- Following treatment, expect some bleeding. Change the gauze out every twenty minutes until it subsides.
- Relieve lingering soreness with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. You could also use an ice pack.
- Have your child eat softer foods for a few days post-surgery. Examples are cooked veggies, mashed potatoes, and smoothies.
As you can see, there really are reasons a child may need a tooth extraction. Consider the ones above, then, as you weigh a potential treatment.
About the Author
Dr. Homer Sedighi is a pediatric dentist based in Chesterfield, MO, having earned his DMD from the Washington University School of Dental Medicine. He’s also a member in good standing of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. As such, his specialties are preventive, restorative, and emergency dentistry for kids’ smiles. Dr. Sedighi currently practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website or by phone at (636)-777-7777.