As a parent, you don’t ever want to see your child in discomfort or pain, which is why you may be scared that your little one needs a tooth extracted. Don’t worry though, with modern dental advancements, it will be a piece of cake! Your kid’s dentist may suggest this procedure when your son or daughter’s tooth is damaged beyond repair to prevent future oral health problems. After their extraction, you want them to be comfortable and their gums to heal properly. Read on for tips on taking care of your loved one after their procedure.
Help The Clotting
After their surgery, your child’s pediatric dentist may have given them a piece of gauze to gently bite down on to help the blood clot over the extraction site. This covers the affected area and allows their gums to heal properly as well as stop the bleeding. Be sure that they don’t chew on the gauze, and try to change it every 30 minutes or so, depending on how much they’re bleeding.
Prepare Softer Foods
Once your child has had their tooth removed, the area will be slightly sore, and their dentist will recommend staying away from solid foods for a few days. Try to prepare some snacks and meals ahead of time to make post-surgery care a little less stressful. Stock your kitchen with foods like soups, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and soft dairy products like yogurt.
Control Swelling
If you notice that your little one’s face is beginning to swell, apply an ice pack to help reduce it. Keep in mind that swelling can appear up to a few days after the procedure. Icing the area is most effective during the first 24 hours and should be used 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for 1 to 2 hours at a time.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Depending on their age, your child may not understand the importance of post-surgery care. If they’re resisting care like having an ice pack on their cheek to help control swelling, you may find that rewarding them and using various methods of positive reinforcement can be encouraging.
Follow Advice From Your Pediatric Dentist
The single best way to help your child recover after their tooth extraction is to follow their pediatric dentist’s instructions. They’ll let you know how important it is to keep their mouth clean afterward, but since your little one won’t be able to brush, it’ll be best for them to gently rinse with a saline solution. These kinds of instructions are specifically given to help your child’s gums heal properly and avoid complications such as dry sockets and infection.
Implementing these tips for the week or so following their surgery can help ease some of their pain and discomfort. Within a few days, your child’s sensitivity and soreness should hopefully go away. If it doesn’t, be sure to follow up with their dentist and let them know any concerns you may have.
About the Author
Dr. Layne Benzley has completed extensive training and examinations to become a certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He understands that every child has a unique smile, which is why he takes the time to give them individualized and gentle dental care. He knows that the services your child receives now can affect them for a lifetime, so he provides the highest quality of treatment. If you have any additional questions about your child’s upcoming tooth extraction, visit Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry’s website or contact 303-660-5373.
