How Painful Are Tooth Extractions?
No parent wants to think about tooth extractions. Chances are, you’d rather envision your child’s baby teeth weakening and falling out of their mouth without a dentist’s help at all.
Your child will have pain control assistance during the tooth extraction process. Your child might feel some tugging and pulling as the tooth comes free, but the procedure shouldn’t be overly painful.
But the recovery can be uncomfortable. And if complications set in, your child can be in more pain.
Here’s what you should know to help your child recover from tooth extractions.
Pain During Tooth Extractions
What kind of dentist does tooth extractions? The answer depends on your child’s oral health. And different dentists use different surgical procedures.
If your child’s tooth is:
- Just a bit loose. A regular pediatric dentist can ease the tooth out of the mouth with just a bit of local anesthetic.
- Deeply rooted. An oral surgeon must remove the tooth in a surgery requiring general anesthesia.
No matter what route your child needs, the dentist ensures that pain receptors are blocked. The procedure should not be painful.
Immediate Care for Pain From Tooth Extractions
After your child comes home from the clinic and the anesthesia wears off, your work begins.
What can you eat after tooth extractions? Ask your child to stick to liquids until the anesthesia has fully worn off. Then, prepare soft and bland foods for the next few days. Don’t ask your child to chew on crunchy snacks or bite down on crisp items.
Follow your dentist’s instructions regarding brushing. Your child may also have a special rinse to use to keep bacteria from growing.
When to Contact Your Child’s Dentist
Each day, your child’s discomfort should ease. Your child may be ready for bites of favorite foods, and you may see your child laugh and smile more frequently.
Contact your child’s dentist if improvement isn’t appearing. Also call the office if you notice:
- Bleeding. Missing or pulled stitches could allow the hole to reopen.
- Numbness. If your child complains of a loss of sensation in the lips or chin, ask for help.
- Pain. If your child says discomfort is worsening or changing, ask for help.
You may need to bring your child back to the dentist for a checkup. And sometimes, you’ll need new medications to help you tackle problems like infections or nerve damage.
When we perform tooth extractions, we stay in touch with parents and ensure our patients are healing nicely. We’d love to tell you more about how we make a difference for families. Contact us to start the conversation.