In certain situations, it may be determined that removing a tooth is in the best interest of your child’s oral health. Children receive tooth extractions for many reasons, including severe tooth decay, irreparable damage, advanced gum disease, poor tooth positioning and pre-orthodontic treatment. At Gentle Touch Smiles for Kids, we work to make the tooth extraction process as easy as possible for your child.

The first step of the tooth extraction process is to treat the tooth and the area that surrounds it with a local anesthetic. This is done to numb the tooth, jawbone and gums, so that the child experiences less pain during the extraction. Although your child may feel some pain as the tooth is being pulled from the socket, it is usually minimal or unnoticeable; however, it is expected for children to feel some pressure in the immediate area at this time.

After the tooth has been extracted, we will work to quickly form a blood clot at the extraction site. This is done by having your child bite down on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes. Once the blood clot has formed, your child should not disturb it in any way. Your child should avoid using a straw, rinsing vigorously and exercising for at least 24 hours after the procedure.

Your child may experience some pain at the site of the extraction after the anesthesia wears off. We recommend using over-the-counter pain medication and an icepack on the outer cheek nearest to the extraction site. Most children are able to continue with their usual brushing and flossing habits just 24 hours after the procedure. In the event that your child experiences intense pain or excessive bleeding after the procedure, you should contact our office immediately.