When your child starts to lose their baby teeth, it can be a mix of excitement and a bit of sadness. Your little one is starting to grow up, so that can definitely bring a whirlwind of emotions! However, if your dentist has recommended pulling one of their tiny teeth, then you may be left wondering why. They might have told you before to leave them alone, so keep reading to learn why your child may need to have a baby tooth extracted.
Why Would a Baby Tooth Need to Be Extracted?
Primary teeth are meant to save space for the permanent ones, while helping your loved one eat and speak. However, there are several reasons why they might need to be removed, such as:
- Deep Decay: The enamel on baby teeth is a bit thinner than that of their adult counterpart. That means cavities can more easily occur, and if it’s too large, then extracting it may be best to prevent harm to the surrounding dental structures.
- Mouth Injury: If a child has had an accidental fall or trauma to their face, then their tiny teeth may have become chipped, cracked, or even detached from the socket. Sometimes, removing it fully can help preserve their oral health.
- Preparation for Orthodontic Treatment: When baby teeth don’t fall out when they are supposed to, they can cause problems when the adult teeth start to erupt.
- Rare Cases: Two uncommon scenarios are severe gum disease and extra or oddly shaped baby teeth. These can cause issues for the soft tissues in their mouth or damage permanent teeth.
How Can I Prepare My Child for a Tooth Extraction?
If your child has an extraction coming up, then it’s normal for both you and them to be a bit nervous. To help soothe their nerves, you can let them bring a comforting item with them to their appointment. It can be a small plushie or a blanket, but these can make a big difference!
Their dentist will then give your child local anesthesia or a conscious sedative if needed (such as laughing gas). These can help ensure they don’t feel any pain during the treatment. Once it’s all done, a space maintainer may be needed to help prevent the nearby teeth from shifting into that area.
What Should I Do After the Procedure?
After their treatment, their dentist will likely give you some post-op care instructions. Following these can help make sure that your loved one has a smooth recovery. You should stock up on some soft foods that don’t require much chewing, such as cooked vegetables, mashed potatoes, and smoothies.
When giving your child something to drink, it’s important not to let them use a straw. Doing so may dislodge the blood clot that forms in the empty socket, which is necessary for proper healing.
In the end, keeping your child’s oral health the best it can be is the goal of their pediatric dentist. By partnering with them, you can learn why extracting their baby teeth is best and how you can make the entire process easier for you and your little one.
About the Practice
At Sprout Dentistry for Kids, you benefit from the compassionate leadership of Dr. Justin Chan and Dr. Sage Yoo. Both are board-certified pediatric dentists, meaning they have the skilled training to treat a wide range of oral health issues in children. While hearing your loved one needs a baby tooth extracted may be worrying, our team is here to help make the entire process easier. If you want to learn more, schedule an appointment or call our office at (469) 301-3212.