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4 Tips To Help Your Child Recover From A Tooth Extraction

July 27, 2022

How To Care For Your Child After A Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extraction is a routine procedure for kids and adults. However, it is vital to provide proper care after the procedure, to ensure minimal discomfort. Following are a few tips to help your child recover from a tooth extraction.

Numbness

Numbness depends on the amount and kind of anesthesia given to your child. While the mouth remains numb, you need to make sure they don’t bite their cheek or tongue. Therefore, it is recommended to give your child drinks and liquid foods until the numbness subsides. Do not let your child consider these with a straw, as it can dislodge the blood clot and prevent proper healing. If the numbness doesn’t wear off within a few hours, contact a pediatric dentist in Rowlett, TX.

Reduce Bleeding

After the tooth extraction, gauze will be placed on the affected area, which will reduce bleeding. This should be left in place for an hour after leaving the dental office. If bleeding occurs after the gauze is removed you can follow the below steps.

  • Use a clean gauze and turn it into a thick pad, dampen it with warm water, and place it on the affected area.
  • Close your child’s mouth and gently tell them to bite it down for around 30 minutes.
  • If bleeding continues after 30 minutes, reach out to your pediatric dental care office in Rowlett, TX.

 

Avoid Dislodging The Blood Clot

After tooth extraction, a blood clot forms over the socket to promote healing. A dry socket can cause extreme pain and can cause infections. To avoid damaging the clot, do not let your child perform activities such as drinking from a straw, swishing their mouth vigorously, or engaging in any strenuous physical activity for at least 24 hours.

Your child may experience some mild discomfort and swelling for a few days after the tooth extraction. The swelling can be reduced by applying cold compresses to the face for about 20 minutes. However, if these symptoms are severe or continue, contact your pediatric dentist immediately.

The Diet Demand

After tooth extraction, it is important to make sure your child drinks plenty of liquids and eats only very soft foods i.e., mashed potatoes, soup, yogurt, oatmeal, etc. for 24 hours. Don’t let your child have hot foods or drinks and don’t let them chew food from the affected side for a few days

A pediatric dentist will not recommend the removal of a tooth unless it is absolutely necessary. To ensure your child doesn’t need a tooth extraction, it is vital to get preventive dentistry in Rowlett, TX, to ensure your child’s smile.

Why Do Children Need Tooth Extractions?

Your dentist may recommend extraction for your child for the following reasons:

  • If the tooth is badly decayed.
  • If the tooth is damaged by injury or trauma
  • If baby teeth remain in place for too long and crowd permanent teeth. Extracting the baby teeth can help the adult teeth come in and eliminate the need for Orthodontic treatment down the road.
  • Extraction in the case of orthodontic treatment, where removing a tooth will create space and straighten your neighboring teeth. 

Pediatric Dentist Rowlett, TX

When it comes to protecting smiles, our pediatric dentist, Dr. Tera Pollock, is happy to work closely with your child and help them with helpful oral hygiene education and other protective measures.

At Rowlett Dental Kids, we provide various preventive dentistry services such as:

  1. Dental cleanings and check-ups
  2. Dental sealants
  3. Mouthguards
  4. Flouride treatment
  5. Gum disease treatment
  6. Digital X-rays

Contact us to get the best pediatric dentist in Rowlett, TX, who will make sure your child achieves the best smile and set them on the right path to dental health. 

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