Tooth Extractions

Tooth Extractions

You and Dr. Asanaki may determine that your child needs a tooth extraction for a variety of reasons, such as:

• Severe decay
• Advanced periodontal disease
• Severely damaged or broken teeth
• Poorly positioned teeth
• Impacted teeth
• Preparation for orthodontic treatment

A tooth extraction may have a big impact on your child’s dental health and day-to-day life. Removing teeth can lead to problems with your child’s ability to chew, their jaw joint and shifting teeth. Before providing a tooth extraction, our pediatric dentist will discuss alternative treatment options with you to help your child avoid these and other problems. If a tooth extraction is the best option for your child, our pediatric dentist and team will work with you to make your child’s treatment and recovery as smooth as possible.

The Extraction Process
When your child receives their extraction, our pediatric dentist will first numb the treatment area with a local anesthetic. Your child may feel some pressure during the extraction process due to the doctor firmly rocking the tooth to widen the socket so it can be removed. It is important to us that your child feel comfortable, so if they experience any pain or discomfort, please help them let us know right away so that we can resolve the issue before proceeding with their treatment.

Sectioning a Tooth
In some cases, a tooth may require sectioning. Sectioning is performed when a tooth is firmly anchored in its socket or the root is curved and the socket cannot expand enough to remove it. Sectioning involves cutting the tooth into sections and removing each section one at a time.

After Tooth Extraction
Following your child’s tooth extraction, the first step to recovery is for the bleeding to stop. We will have your child bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes immediately after their extraction. If bleeding or oozing persists, place another gauze pad and have them continue to bite down firmly for another 30 minutes. You may need to repeat this process several times.

After the blood clot forms, it is important that your child does not disturb or dislodge it. For 72 hours after their procedure, help your child avoid:

• Rinsing vigorously
• Sucking on straws
• Brushing their teeth near the extraction site
• Vigorous exercise

Your child may experience some pain or swelling after their extraction. You can help reduce swelling by placing an ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn over the area. You can provide your child with prescribed or over-the-counter medications as directed. Swelling should subside after about 48 hours.

Please use all pain medications as directed. Contact our office if the medication does not seem to be working. If we have prescribed antibiotics, make sure your child takes them for the indicated length of time, even if there are no signs or symptoms of infection.

Also, help your child stay hydrated. Have them drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious, soft foods on the day of their extraction. They can begin eating normally again as soon as they feel comfortable doing so. We also recommend that they resume their normal dental routine after 24 hours, including brushing and flossing their teeth daily. They can resume all normal activities after a few days.

If your child experiences heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for two to three days or has a reaction to their medication, please contact our office immediately.