Read This Before Your Child Gets Their Tooth Extracted!
It’s an exciting moment watching your child lose their first tooth. While most of the teeth come out on their own, baby teeth may occasionally require a little help to move things along. When baby teeth are severely decayed, damaged, or overly crowded, tooth extraction may be considered by a pediatric dentist near you. The tooth extraction recovery process is a more comfortable experience. It’sessential after tooth extraction, you help your child care for the wound to ensure they don’t develop any complications. Here are tips provided by our pediatric dentist in Martinsville, VA, that will help you and your child have an easier time after the extraction.
The Day of the Extraction
At Kids First Dental, tooth extraction is performed underdone under local anesthesia that merely stabilizes them. Then, the anesthesia is injected into the child’s mouth to numb and relieve pain. The numbness usually lasts for hours. The dentist will consider sedatives or an IV for children with dental anxiety.
When the area is numb, a small instrument will remove the tooth. After the extraction, pressure will be applied to the socket using a gauze pad. Pediatric tooth extraction is a simple and straightforward process that doesn’t have to worry you or your child. Below are tips to keep your child’s mouth clean after the procedure.
Discourage Sipping from a Straw and Swishing
The newly exposed socket is highly sensitive during the first 24 hours after the procedure. Discourage your child from using a straw during this time. This will ensure that the healthy blood clot formed will not be lost. The suction created when using a straw can dislodge the socket and lead to more bleeding. In addition, they should also avoid swishing liquids vigorously as they can loosen the clot.
Stick to Soft Food
Prepare your child soft foods which require less or no chewing. The affected site and the surrounding area will be very sensitive, and chewing study foods will cause pain or discomfort. Dr. Brown recommends foods such as mashed potatoes, yogurt, soup, scrambled eggs, or apple sauce. Ensure the food is warm enough due to their sensitive gums. Please don’t give them carbonated drinks after the procedure. Ease them back into solid foods at leastfour days after the extraction. Make them take plenty of fluids and monitor them while chewing to prevent them from using the side from which the tooth was pulled.
2 – 7 Days after Tooth Extraction
Here is what to do days later after a child tooth extraction near you.
Use Icepacks to Fight Swelling
If your child has swollen cheeks days after the tooth extraction, place an ice pack on the swelling for two to three hours. The ice pack will ease and relieve pain and fight off swelling. Have the ice pack wrapped in a thin towel or cloth before placing it on the skin. When placing the ice pack on the affected side, put it on for 15 minutes and place it back after another 15 minutes. The swelling should disappear after 38 hours, and then the ice pack will not be needed anymore.
Incorporate a Saltwater Rinse
After 24 hours, have them use warm salt water to rinse and clean the exposed socket. Make the slaty water using one teaspoon of salt and eight oz of warm water. Let your kid gently swish the water in their mouth before slowly spitting it out. The slat water will clean the mouth and ease pain in the affected area.
Encourage a “Hands-Free” Policy
The socket needs to remain clean throughout. Direct your child to avoid putting their hands on their mouth. Touching or picking on the affected site may lead to the introduction of germs in the area, prolonging the healing process. Poking the site can also dislodge the blood clot formed.
Does Your Child Have a Pediatric Dentist?
A pediatric dentist has the specialization and experience of treating your child. They will work with you as a parent and explain dental procedures to your child in the simplest way possible. They are also trained to handle children with dental phobia or anxiety. Maintaining a positive attitude when your child has a tooth extraction is essential. Visit our dental offices near you if you are looking for a pediatric dentist. Our dentist will offer same-day tooth extraction near you if your child needs help losing a tooth.