When Tooth Extraction Means Tender Care: How to Help Your Child Heal

Tooth extractions are not as uncommon as you might think they are. Pediatric dentists perform these procedures often because of primary teeth that refuse to fall out on their own. Other reasons might include severe dental decay or an infection that cannot be treated with pulp therapy. No matter what the reason might be, knowing how to help your child heal after they return home will give them the best chance for a successful recovery. Keep reading to find out how.

Let Numbness Subside Before Offering Food

Tooth extractions require local anesthesia to be administered before the procedure begins. Once the dentist is finished, the numbness your child experiences will continue until it fully dissipates, which can take several hours.

Until it subsides, it’s best to hold off on letting them have anything to eat or drink. Biting down while numb can cause them to injure their surgical site, healthy teeth, or soft oral tissues (i.e., cheeks, gums, lips, tongue, etc.).

Change Out Gauze to Stop Bleeding

Some post-procedural bleeding is normal after a tooth extraction, so do not be alarmed. It’s best to have your child keep the gauze in place for up to 45 minutes after returning home; however, if the bleeding doesn’t cease at this point, you’ll need to use clean gauze and place it on the surgical site.

Instruct your child to bite down gently to hold it in place. If 30 minutes pass and it continues to bleed, make sure to call their pediatric dentist.

Help Them Avoid Dislodging the Blood Clot

Once a blood clot forms over the vacant space, you will need to help your child avoid dislodging it. Doing so could cause a dry socket to form, which can be very painful. This means they will need to avoid using a straw, spitting, swishing vigorously, consuming hot foods, or engaging in strenuous physical activity for several days.

Make Sure They’re Taking Medications as Instructed

Since discomfort is likely to occur after tooth extraction, you’ll want to make sure they are receiving any prescribed medications or over-the-counter pain relievers as instructed. This will help them remain more comfortable during recovery.

Have Them Follow a Soft Food Diet for 24 Hours

The day after their procedure, it’s best if they consume only soft foods, as this will prevent biting down hard on anything dense and potentially dislodging their blood clot. Mashed potatoes, lukewarm soup, oatmeal, and other similar food items are acceptable.

After 24 hours, they can begin to incorporate solid foods into their diet; however, it’s best if they do not try to eat using the side of their mouth with the surgical site. This should only occur once they begin to feel better and experience less discomfort.

Be Mindful of Good Oral Hygiene

Your child will need to stay on top of their oral hygiene routine after tooth extraction. This includes helping them brush gently, floss their other teeth, and gently rinse their mouth. Using warm salt water can be helpful to cleanse the mouth of any bad bacteria as well as soothe any pain or swelling that may be evident.

Recovering from tooth extraction is unlikely to require a lot of time spent at home, but it does mean having your child follow the instructions provided by their dentist. Doing so will ensure they are back on their feet in less time, all with a healthier, problem-free smile.

About the Author
Dr. Robert Stroud earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Baylor College of Dentistry before completing a pediatric residency and becoming board-certified with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. As an experienced dentist who leads the team at his dental office in Willow Park, TX, he offers helpful guidelines so that patients who require tooth extraction or other similar, complex forms of treatment have what they need to recover successfully. If your child is getting ready to have one or more teeth removed, contact us at (817) 441-2425.