Children’s Tooth Extractions Crown Point
When a Tooth Needs to Go, We Make It Easy
While our team’s goal is to help your child keep their natural teeth for as long as possible, in some cases, it might be best for their oral health to remove one. Fortunately, the team at LMK Pediatric Dental Care combines a light touch with the latest methods, making our tooth extraction patients frequently ask, “Wait, it’s over?” So, if you think one of their teeth might need to go, don’t hesitate to schedule your reservation with us today to discuss children's tooth extractions in Crown Point.
Why Choose LMK Pediatric Dental Care for Children’s Tooth Extractions?
- Same-Day & After-Hours Emergency Dentistry Available
- Calm Dentistry: Stress-Free Dental Care
- Compassionate Team That Puts Patient Comfort First
When are Tooth Extractions Necessary for Children
We might recommend a tooth extraction if:
- A stubborn baby tooth is preventing an adult tooth from coming in straight.
- The tooth has a large cavity or crack that can’t be restored with a crown or filling.
- There is an abscess or infection that threatens the surrounding teeth.
- More room is needed in the mouth so the teeth can shift in response to orthodontics.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
Our dedicated dentists are experts at turning what could be a stressful procedure into a routine treatment. The first step? To numb your child’s mouth thoroughly so they don’t feel any discomfort. Then, once they are ready to begin, we will grip the tooth and rock it loose until it’s ready to be extracted. After that, we will tend to the extraction site and review the aftercare instructions so your child can heal comfortably at home.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Following your child’s tooth extraction in Crown Point, they should:
- Stick to extremely soft foods, like applesauce
- Use a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time
- Brush and floss carefully
- Drink plenty of water (without using a straw)
- Keep their head elevated, including while they sleep
- Avoid strenuous exercise, like running
If you have any questions for our team at LMK Pediatric Dental Care, don’t hesitate to get in touch! We’d be happy to provide the answers you’re looking for so the treatment process is simple, not stressful.
Children's Tooth Extractions FAQs
What Risks Are Involved with Pediatric Tooth Extractions?
While preserving the patient’s natural dental structure is one of the top priorities of dentistry, tooth extractions are considered to be an incredibly safe way to prevent worsening damage and infections. However, any dental procedure comes with certain risks, and it is possible for a tooth extraction to lead to infection, especially if the patient does not practice proper oral hygiene afterward. Another risk is dry socket, meaning that the blood clot forming over the surgical wound is ruptured or dislodged, which exposes the inner gum tissue and jawbone to air and the oral environment and causes severe pain. To help ensure that your child’s recovery process is as smooth and complication-free as possible, we’ll provide you with detailed aftercare instructions that will probably include:
- Regularly rinsing with a saltwater solution to relieve inflammation, loosen food debris, and kill harmful bacteria. Make saltwater by mixing a quarter teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of water.
- Refraining from probing at the surgical area with one’s fingers, tongue, or dental hygiene tools.
- Being careful when brushing and flossing to avoid disturbing the healing tissues.
- Avoiding spitting and drinking through a straw since these can damage the blood clot forming over the surgical area and cause dry socket.
What Should My Child Do After Their Tooth Extraction?
We’ll be sure to provide you with detailed aftercare instructions so you know exactly how to set your child up for a smooth healing process. Your child will probably be feeling the effects of the anesthesia for at least several hours after tooth extraction, so you’ll need to carefully monitor them for a day or two after the procedure. The most important thing is for your child to get plenty of rest so their body can focus its energies on healing, so you should keep them from engaging in intense physical play for at least twenty-four hours. Make sure they keep the gauze in place as instructed while staying hydrated and avoiding spitting or drinking through a straw. It’s best to feed your child only soft foods like yogurt and applesauce, and you can manage discomfort by applying a cold compress or giving them over-the-counter pain medication.
Is There an Alternative to Tooth Extraction?
The team at LMK Pediatric Dental Care is eager to make sure our patients retain as much of their natural dental structure as possible, so we’ll only recommend tooth extraction as a last resort. While compromised teeth can often be saved with restorative treatments like fillings, you can rest assured that we have already eliminated these options if we are recommending tooth extraction. Neglecting to have a tooth that cannot be saved removed can lead to the destructive bacteria spreading to other parts of the mouth or causing dangerous secondary infections like sepsis.
