As a parent, the thought of your child needing to get a tooth extracted may be especially nerve-racking. It’s something you might not want for your own smile, so hearing that they need it can leave you anxious. However, the procedure isn’t as scary as it sounds. Some myths make it seem worse than it actually is, so here’s the truth behind four of them to feel confident in your decision for your loved one’s oral health.
Myth #1: Tooth Extractions Are Especially Painful
You might be worried about the extraction being a painful experience for your child. The good news is that their pediatric dentist works to make sure it’s as comfortable as possible. Before beginning, they will use a local anesthetic to numb the area and offer dental sedation to soothe their anxiety. Your loved one may not feel outright pain, but rather some pressure.
Myth #2: It Will Take a Long Time for Your Child to Recover
Once the procedure is done, your child’s mouth will need time to close the empty socket. While you may imagine it takes a long while, the initial recovery phase is done after just a few days. They may feel sore, but it should get better as time passes. After several weeks, the extraction site should be completely healed.
Myth #3: Baby Teeth Shouldn’t Be Extracted
Baby teeth are like placeholders for your child’s permanent ones. They should loosen and fall out on their own, but there are some cases where they need to be removed. If a structure has severe decay, infection, damage, or causes crowding issues, then having it pulled can avoid pain and misalignment later.
Myth #4: No Special Care Is Needed After Extracting Baby Teeth
As was mentioned above, baby teeth are meant to come out on their own, but this doesn’t mean that you don’t need to follow after-care instructions. You can help your child have a smooth recovery. While their pediatric dentist will give you more specific guidelines, these are some that are often included:
- Avoid letting them use a straw.
- Keep hard or sticky foods off their plate.
- Let them get plenty of rest and stop rough play.
In the end, you may be worried about your child’s tooth extraction, but you should feel confident choosing it for their smile. Don’t believe myths, but learn the truth to know how it can be beneficial for your loved one’s growing grin.
About the Author
Dr. Amar Singh earned his dental degree from the Howard University College of Dentistry and then completed his pediatric residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is now board-certified, meaning he is committed to helping children in the Southampton community take great care of their teeth, even if that calls for an extraction. If you have questions about how Dr. Singh can make this treatment more comfortable for your loved one, schedule an appointment for them or call his office at (215) 874-3786.