No matter what age you are, tooth extraction is a necessary procedure that may make you nervous.
It’s true, especially for children. Parents should help their children prepare for a tooth extraction. It will be stressful and distressing for you and your child if you are not well-prepared.
Sometimes, children’s smiles are not as perfect, as much as we want them to be. A child tooth extraction might be necessary to fix some problems or prevent future ones. If your young one is due for a dental visit, this tooth extraction guide is for you.
Learn what to do before and after to ensure a smooth experience. Advanced Dental Group has you covered.
Preparing for Tooth Extraction: 5 Tips to Get Them Ready for the Dentist
An experience like a dental extraction leaves a lasting impression on a child. Planning, understanding the pre-procedure and tooth extraction aftercare, and working with an oral specialist experienced in working with children make it easier for parents and their children.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for a child tooth extraction procedure:
1. Work with an experienced pediatric dentist.
A child’s tooth extraction differs from an adult tooth extraction. It may be more complicated and challenging for children; they are less resilient to pain and are more likely to be anxious and stressed.
Working with a reliable and experienced dentist ensures a pleasant experience for your child. Established pediatric dental clinics have extensive experience in children’s tooth extractions and offer high-quality care.
2. Be transparent with your kid about the dental procedure.
Children may negatively react when they are put in unfamiliar situations. Help smooth things out by doing extensive research into child tooth extraction procedures and explaining to them that they are easy for them to understand.
You may try role-playing to simulate a visit to the dentist and teach them all about tooth extraction. You can also talk to them about it and listen to their concerns. You may also let them interact with a pediatric dentist to help them feel more at ease.
3. Focus on the positive aspects of children’s tooth extraction.
It’s a misconception that teeth extraction doesn’t have any positive aspects. Try to find as many positives in it for your child as possible to help ease your child’s mind and lessen their worries. It’s also best to discuss how tooth extraction helps improve their oral health.
4. Know the proper aftercare.
Knowing how to care for your child’s tooth extraction site is essential to give them the most positive tooth extraction experience. Preparing how to give proper aftercare before the actual tooth removal will make the process more manageable and put your mind at ease.
It’s also an excellent idea to buy the items you need for post-treatment care. You should also provide a safe place for your child to relax after the treatment.
5. Give your kid something to look forward to.
Giving your child something to look forward to after the procedure may help them get through it. Tell them they can have their favorite food or bring their favorite toys. You may also tell them about the tooth fairy and how they might reward them for having their teeth pulled out. Or, you may take them out for ice cream after the tooth extraction.
Having their eyes fixed on the prize at the end of the road might help them get through the teeth extraction process.
4 Questions You Might Have About Children’s Tooth Extraction
Now that you know what to do when preparing for tooth extraction, you might have some aftercare questions in mind. Here are some of them:
1. How long will my child feel the numbness?
Anesthesia may numb your child’s mouth and jaw after tooth removal. It may feel weird for them; you’ll probably see them licking their cheeks and biting their tongue in an attempt to feel something.
Doing this is not a good idea.
The numbness will subside in a few hours. In the meantime, offer your child some liquids to keep them occupied while waiting for the numbness to go away. However, don’t let them use straws. Using them may dislodge the blood clot forming in the extraction site, prolonging your child’s tooth extraction recovery.
2. How do I manage the bleeding?
It may take some time for the bleeding to stop. The dentist will place a gauze wrap on the extraction area to stop the bleeding before leaving the dental clinic. Keep it for 45 minutes at most to allow the wound to heal.
Expect some bleeding after you remove the gauze. Here are tooth extraction aftercare tips to follow to manage it:
- Fold a piece of clean gauze to make a pad.
- Use warm water to dampen it.
- Place it in the same way as the dentist did—above the tooth that was removed.
- Ask your child to bite the pad gently for at least 30 minutes.
- Replace the gauze if necessary.
- If bleeding continues after 30 minutes, contact your family dentist.
3. What are the things my kid shouldn’t do?
Your kids will need to do more than avoid straws for faster child tooth extraction recovery. Don’t allow them to rinse too hard, and don’t let them engage in rough physical activities while recovering.
4. How should I manage pain and swelling?
Use ice to help reduce the swelling. Wrap it in a towel and keep it on your kid’s face for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, take it off. You can continue doing this for the first 24 hours following your extraction.
Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen or ibuprofen help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Ask your dentist if it’s suitable for your child. If the dentist prescribes pain medications, make sure to follow the instructions.
Let Advanced Dental Group Be Your Partner
Advanced Dental Group has a network of dentists in Bradenton, FL.
Call us if you’re looking for a pediatric dentist for a child tooth extraction. We will connect you to one right away. Make your child’s experience safe and pleasant when you have us!
