Understand Signs and Recovery Process of Your Child’s Tooth Extraction

Children lose their milk teeth naturally but sometimes kid’s tooth extraction (ถอนฟันน้ำนม, this is the term in Thai) becomes a necessity. ToothFairy Dental Clinic is a reliable dentistry for kids and families. The dentist ensures a smooth tooth extraction process. Parents and their kid’s fear the tooth removal process but if you understand the signs, extraction and recovery process, it helps for comfortable healing. 

Signs your child needs a tooth extraction

• Loose tooth with persistent pain: In kids, the loss of baby teeth is a natural part of teeth transitioning to permanent ones. A loose painful tooth is a sign for extraction. 
• Infection or abscess: A red, swollen gum around a tooth is often accompanied by throbbing pain and sensitivity to temperature. It indicates an infection. The swollen gum has puss, which can spread. Therefore visit the dental clinic ASAP. 
• Broken or fractured tooth: A broken or chipped tooth, especially if the pulp is exposed, can trigger significant pain and increase the risk of infection.
• Overcrowding: If permanent teeth erupt with limited jaw space, they may crowd the existing teeth, causing misalignment and potential future issues. In such situations, extracting the baby tooth allows for the permanent tooth to position correctly.
• Impaction: A permanent tooth can get impacted if a baby tooth hinders its eruption by not falling out naturally. This causes pain, damages the kid’s surrounding teeth, and jaw. Tooth extraction will allow permanent teeth to erupt correctly.

What to expect during a child’s teeth extraction?

The dentist will clearlydiscuss the extraction process in detail, beforehand. You or your kid can ask questions and have your doubts cleared. 

Your kid will feel sleepy due to [laughing gas] or a little numb in the mouth [local anesthesia]. The dentists will gently twistout the affected tooth. The process takes a short time or 30 minutes. You can head home and follow the post-operative instructions. 

Recovery after child’s tooth extraction

Parents need to adhere to the dentist’s post-operative instructions for smooth recovery. Here is what to expect:

• Slight bleeding in the first few hours from the extraction site is normal. Provide gauze pads for your child to bite on and control the bleeding.
• Expect some discomfort and soreness. The dentist will prescribe pain medication to manage it.
• Swelling around the extraction site is common, which will reduce slowly. Apply ice pack to manage the pain and swelling. 
• Give your child soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and applesauce for a few days. Until the dentist approves avoid giving your child hard and chewy food.
• Maintain gentle oral hygiene. Make sure your kid brushes their teeth carefully by avoiding the extraction site. Rinse mouth with mild saltwater a few times daily to keep the area clean.

Signs of Complications

• Excessive Bleeding: Bleeding that lasts longer than 24 hours or is heavy and uncontrollable.
• Severe Pain: Pain that worsens or doesn’t improve with medication.
• Fever: A fever above 100.4°F (38°C) can indicate infection.
• Persistent Swelling: Swelling that worsens or doesn’t subside after a few days.
• Pus or Foul Odor: Pus draining from the extraction site or a foul odor in the mouth can indicate infection.

If your kid experiences the above complications call the dentist. Generally, the tooth extraction for kids is a short time process and the healing is efficient. Make sure to provide comfort and distraction like favourite stuffed animal or activities. Never ignore follow-up appointments as they are crucial to monitor the healing and address any concerns.