Believe it or not, tooth extractions have become a routine procedure for children as well. Even though you may want your little one’s teeth to fall out naturally, certain complications can make that process difficult, resulting in issues that require intervention. While removing a tooth may sound scary, it can keep your child’s smile strong and healthy for years to come! That said, here’s how to care for your child after their procedure to ensure total comfort and proper healing.
Be Mindful of Their Numbness
It’s hard to say how long your child will be numb because it truly depends on the amount and type of anesthesia they were given. Regardless, it’s incredibly important that you keep them from biting their tongue or cheek while their mouth is numb. To that end, you should only offer drinks and liquid foods until the numbness goes away. If the sensation hasn’t gone away after a few hours, you should contact your pediatric dentist.
Stop Any Bleeding
Before your child leaves the office, a small piece of gauze will be placed on the extraction site to control and blot any bleeding. It should be left there for at least 45 minutes to help stop any bleeding. If there’s still bleeding even after the gauze is removed, you should dampen it with warm water and place it on the extraction site again. Instruct your little one to bite down on the pad and apply gentle pressure for about 30 minutes. If that doesn’t work, contact your pediatric dental care office.
Protect the Blood Clot
After an extraction, a blood clot forms over the tooth socket to promote healing. To prevent the clot from becoming dislodged, your child should avoid:
- Engaging in strenuous exercise
- Drinking through a straw
- Rinsing their mouth vigorously
Soothe Swelling and Pain
It’s normal for your child to have mild discomfort and swelling for the first few days after an extraction. Luckily, it can easily be managed by applying cold compresses to the face for about 20 minutes at a time. If the discomfort worsens, you should contact the pediatric dentist immediately.
Adjust Their Diet
Make sure your child sticks to a soft-food diet for the first few days following their procedure! You should stock up on foods like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, pasta, and soup. Once your little one feels comfortable enough, they can return to their usual diet.
Keep the Mouth Clean
For at least 24 hours after the procedure, your child should not clean the teeth near the tooth extraction. Of course, they should brush and floss their other teeth as usual. After a day or so, your little one can clean their teeth normally as long as they’re careful with the extraction site.
Does your child have an upcoming tooth extraction? By following these tips, you can ensure they make a speedy and smooth sailing recovery!
About the Practice
At Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we offer comprehensive and high-quality services for the entire family. Our friendly team understands that every child is unique and will always go the extra mile to ensure they receive the quality care they deserve. For more ways to help your child heal after an extraction, visit our website or call (303) 660-5373.
