Tooth Extractions: Aftercare Tips for Kids

There are a few reasons why a child would need to get a tooth extracted. These include extreme decay and cavities, severe dental trauma, dental disease, or because the tooth is interrupting proper tooth development. At Sunshine Pediatric Dentistry, we offer tooth extractions for pediatric patients. But parents often worry about how to help their child take care of the extraction site once the extraction is over.

Dental Extraction Process

During a tooth extraction, the dentist will apply an anesthetic to the area surrounding the tooth to numb the gum and bone tissue. They will then loosen and remove the tooth. A tooth extraction doesn’t take very long — depending on the nature of the procedure, it might only take minutes!

Sedation Options

If your child will feel safer and more comfortable with additional sedation options, know that we can provide them with choices like nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and general anesthesia aside from numbing the general area around the gum and bone tissue.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare Tips

When your child’s extraction is performed, we will provide you with thorough and specific aftercare tips to help them recover properly. Here are some general tips to follow:

• Change out your child’s gauze regularly (every 20 minutes) until a blood clot forms.
• Provide your child with over-the-counter pain medication if they are feeling discomfort.
• If your child experiences any swelling, place an ice pack or a bag of frozen veggies on the area for 20 minutes at a time.
• Prepare soft foods for your child to eat on the first day after the procedure, and avoid letting them drink through straws to prevent them from dislodging the blood clot.

Pediatric Dentistry in San Antonio, TX

At Sunshine Pediatric Dentistry, we offer a host of treatment options to give your child the very best dental care — just what they deserve! From preventive treatments to braces and Invisalign, know that we’ve got your child’s needs covered. Contact us at (210) 824-9488 or fill out our contact form to get started! We look forward to welcoming your child to our San Antonio office!