Remember the last time you needed to have a tooth pulled? It might not have been a particularly pleasant experience. Your child may be worried if they have an appointment of that nature coming up. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help with recovery after a children’s tooth extraction in Allen. Continue reading to learn from a pediatric dentist about some things you can do to make the process smoother.
Help Your Child Stay Safe While Their Mouth Is Numb
Your child’s mouth will be numb for a while after their extraction. Advise them not to bite down on their tongue or cheeks. They could accidentally injure themself without realizing it. This is why they should only be given drinks and liquid foods until the local anesthetic completely wears off.
Don’t allow them to consume anything with a straw. The suction in their mouth created by straw use can dislodge the blood clot and prevent their smile from healing properly.
Ensure Their Bleeding Is Minimized
Before your child leaves the dental practice, a gauze pad will be placed on the site to control bleeding as the blood clot forms. The gauze should remain in place for about 45 minutes after leaving the office to stop any bleeding. If it persists after the gauze has been removed, you should do the following:
- Fold a piece of clean gauze into a thick pad. Dampen it with warm water and place it on the extraction site.
- Instruct your child to bite down on the gauze with gentle pressure for about 30 minutes.
- If bleeding continues for more than 30 minutes, give their pediatric dentist in Allen a call.
Soothe Pain and Inflammation
Your child may experience discomfort and swelling for the first few days after their extraction. This can be reduced by using a cold compress or ice pack on their cheek for about 20 minutes at a time. Over-the-counter and prescription medication should only be taken as directed.
Make Sure Your Little One Carefully Cleans Their Mouth
Your child should avoid cleaning the area around their extraction for 24 hours after the procedure, but they should still be brushing and flossing their other teeth as usual. The next day, they can begin normally cleaning the teeth near the extraction site and should gently rinse their mouth daily with warm salt water. Rinsing too vigorously can dislodge the blood clot and delay the healing process.
No one looks forward to a children’s tooth extraction in Allen, and having a tooth pulled as an adult is no picnic either. But following these tips can help put your child in a position to recover quickly with minimal discomfort.
About the Author
Dr. Sage Yoo earned his dental doctorate from Tufts University in Boston on his journey to become a pediatric dentist. He is a member of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Yoo has been working hard for little smiles in the Dallas area since he moved here from Boston in 2015. If you need a pediatric dentist in Allen for a tooth extraction or just a checkup, Dr. Yoo and Dr. Justin Chan are both members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Schedule an appointment for your little one on their website or call (469) 663-0098.