You might not expect your child to need their baby teeth removed. After all, those teeth are supposed to fall out on their own! But while a tooth extraction is never a fun procedure to look forward to, nevertheless it can sometimes be essential for protecting your child’s oral health. When should you expect children’s tooth extractions in Aurora, and what will the procedure be like? You can find out by reading below.
When is a Tooth Extraction Recommended?
The baby teeth (also known as primary teeth) usually start to come loose and fall out around elementary school age. This is because the permanent teeth have started to push up from below the gums; the baby teeth need to come out so that the new teeth have room to erupt. With that said, an extraction might be necessary if:
- A baby tooth has suffered from extreme decay that cannot be repaired by a filling or stopped with pulp therapy.
- A baby tooth has failed to fall out when it was supposed to.
- A baby tooth is severely broken beyond repair or is causing a lot of pain.
- A baby tooth is actively contributing to overcrowding problems that could get in the way of jaw development.
- A baby tooth is getting in the way of necessary orthodontic treatment.
Tooth extractions are always a last resort, and your children’s dentist will carefully consider the impact it will have on your child’s speech and overall oral development. A space maintainer might have to be placed afterwards to make sure the permanent teeth have plenty of room to erupt afterwards.
What Will the Procedure Be Like?
If the tooth is visible about the gum line, then it can be removed via a simple extraction. The dentist numbs the mouth with a local anesthetic and uses special instruments to gently loosen the tooth until it’s ready to come out. In other cases, such as when the tooth has broken off below the gum line, a surgical approach might be required. This normally involves removing small amounts of tissue to get access to the tooth, which might have to be removed in sections.
Your dentist can give you some advice on how you can prepare your little one for the tooth extraction procedure so that they know what is going to happen without becoming too anxious about it. After the extraction, you can use pain medication to help them stay as comfortable as possible. Be sure to stock up on soft, nutritious foods for the next few days, and make sure that they stay hydrated. Make sure your little one keeps their head elevated while they’re resting.
Not every child will need a tooth extraction, but if yours does, you can rest assured that they’ll be in good hands thanks to their skilled children’s dentist in Aurora. Schedule an appointment today if you have concerns about their smile and think an extraction might be a necessary step.
About the Practice
At Grand Dental – Aurora, multiple dentists have come together to provide high quality care in one convenient location. Between our advanced technology, our on-site specialists (which include Dr. Shuran Liang, a board-certified pediatric dentist), and our warm, welcoming office, we aim to be a dental home that you can be confident in bringing your children to. To set up a checkup for your little one, or to learn more about the extraction process and why it might be necessary, visit our website or call 847-443-3953.