If you’ve ever had to have a tooth extracted, you know that the recovery process isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world. Your child will probably agree when their upcoming appointment comes around. The good news is that there are some steps that you can take to help your child recover efficiently and comfortably! Continue reading to learn some of the things that you can do to make the whole process easier.
Advise Them Through the Numbness
Your child’s mouth will remain numb for a bit of time after their extraction. You should advise them not to bite onto their tongue or cheeks. They could injure themself without realizing it. This is why they should only be given drinks and liquid foods until the numbness in their mouth has worn off completely. Don’t let them consume any of these items with a straw, because this can create a suction in the mouth and dislodge the blood clot, therefore preventing their smile from healing properly.
Make Bleeding Better
Before your child leaves the dental practice, a gauze pad will be placed on the tooth extraction site to control the bleeding while the blood clot forms. The gauze should be left in place for about 45 minutes after leaving the office in order to stop any bleeding. If bleeding occurs after the blood clot is removed, then you should do the following:
- Fold a piece of clean gauze into a thick pad. Dampen it with warm water and place it on the extraction site.
- Instruct your child to bite down on the gauze with gentle pressure for about 30 minutes. Replace this with a clean one as needed.
- If the blooding continues for more than 30 minutes, give their dentist a call.
Soothe Swelling and Pain
Your child may experience some discomfort and swelling for the first few days after their extraction. This can be reduced by applying cold compresses to their cheeks for about 20 minutes at a time. All over-the-counter and prescription medications should be taken as directed.
Clean Carefully
Be sure that your child doesn’t clean the area around their extraction for 24 hours after the procedure, but they still should be brushing and flossing their other teeth as usual. The next day, they can start normally cleaning the teeth near the extraction site and should very gently rinse their mouth daily with warm saltwater. Rinsing too vigorously can dislodge the blood clot and delay the healing process.
Tooth extractions aren’t something that you look forward to, but with proper care, the whole recovery process will be a breeze!
About the Author
Dr. Katherine Staniek earned her dental doctorate from Midwestern University before completing her Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Residency at the Clement Zablocki Medical VA Center. She has completed additional training in numerous subjects, including Clear Correct, BOTOX, and dental fillers. Currently, she is a proud member of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics, the American Dental Association, and the Massachusetts Dental Society. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit her website or call (978) 927-3515.