Does your child need a tooth extraction? Your pediatric dentist will do everything they can to help your little one stay as comfortable as possible during the procedure itself. But once the extraction is complete, it will be up to you to ensure that there aren’t any problems during the recovery process and that your child’s discomfort is properly managed. Here’s a look at some steps you can take to provide the right care for your child while they’re healing from having a tooth removed.
Be Aware of Numbness
Your child’s mouth will be numbed with a local anesthetic for the tooth extraction process. The numbness will linger for a while after the procedure. Until it goes away, you should only let your child consume liquid foods; don’t give them anything that needs to be chewed, as it could cause them to bite their tongue or cheek without realizing it. On top of that, if the numbness doesn’t wear off in a matter of hours, call your pediatric dentist immediately.
Put a Stop to Bleeding
A gauze pack will be applied to the area where the tooth was removed in order to stop any bleeding. You can remove the gauze about 45 minutes after you leave your dentist’s office. If further bleeding occurs, you should have your child bite down on a new piece of gauze for about 30 minutes. Be sure to get in touch with your pediatric dentist right away if you can’t get the bleeding to stop.
Protect Your Child’s Blood Clot
As part of the healing process, a blood clot will form at the extraction site. It’s important for the blood clot to stay in place; otherwise, your child could experience a painful dry socket. As such, make sure that your child doesn’t do anything that can dislodge the blood clot. This includes drinking through a straw or engaging in strenuous exercise.
Help Your Child Reduce Swelling
For a few days, your child may experience swelling in their mouth. In order to help them stay comfortable, you can give them a cold compress to hold over their face. For the best results, a cold compress should only be applied for 20-minute intervals.
Plan Your Child’s Diet Carefully
You’ll need to make a few adjustments to your child’s diet while their mouth is recovering. They should only eat soft foods for the first 24 hours; after that, they can have more solid foods again as long as they can properly chew them. Make sure that your child knows not to chew with the side of the mouth where the extraction site is located.
Be Cautious When It Comes to Oral Hygiene
While the rest of your child’s smile can be brushed and flossed as usual, it’s best not to clean near the extraction site for at least the first day. Rest assured that after the first 24 hours, your child will be able to brush and floss normally again, although it will still be necessary to be gentle around the extraction site.
About the Author
Dr. José Garcia went to the Howard University College of Dentistry, and he holds membership with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. His Silver Spring practice, Healthy Kids Dentistry, offers all kinds of high-quality dental services for children, including safe, gentle tooth extractions. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Garcia, visit his website or call (301) 871-8880.