No one of any age looks forward to having a tooth extracted, as the procedure entails some level of discomfort. In addition, there’s a lengthy recovery period entailed in this procedure that many find distasteful. Below, we cover tips for helping your child with tooth extraction.
These sentiments may be even more intensive in children, who might find elements of a tooth extraction to be highly distressful. For this reason, you may have to offer some amount of reassurance to get them to go through with the treatment.
Helping Your Child with Tooth Extraction
If you have a tooth extraction schedule for your child, take a look at this overview on how to help them get through this procedure.
What Occurs During a Tooth Extraction?
During a tooth extraction, a tooth is completely removed from its socket by a dentist. This is usually done when a tooth has reached such states of decay or damage that this is the only option available to keep the health of the mouth.
During a tooth extraction, your dentist takes X-rays of the tooth and the surrounding areas of the mouth. Local anesthetic is applied to the target area of the mouth prior to the tooth being extracted. During a surgical tooth extraction, an incision is made into the gums to remove the teeth in question.
Preparing Your Child for a Tooth Extraction
One way that you can help your child become more comfortable with a tooth extraction is through providing as much information as you can prior to the process. This will familiarize them with what to expect and prepare them for treatment.
In particular, explaining why their tooth extraction is necessary can stifle the potential for protest from them when they are to undergo treatment. You can also try to explain what will occur during the recovery process for your procedure, as well as some of the possible side effects that may occur.
Things You Can Do to Help Your Child with a Tooth Extraction
Tooth extractions are fairly difficult for anyone, and especially for a child, it can be very uncomfortable and upsetting. Some of the following processes are considered useful practices for getting them through this type of procedure with less stress.
Distracting Your Child:
Offering your child simple distractions can be quite useful in getting them to accept the tooth extraction process. Some examples of the types of distractions that can be effective include playing relaxing music, discussing things asides from the dentist, and attempting to make them laugh with play.
Comfort Items:
Comforting items such as favorite toys and blankets can help to provide a sense of comfort to your child when they’re in the dentist’s chair. It can reduce stress and get them through this distressing process with little anxiety.
Reassurance:
Offering your child reassuring condolences throughout the tooth extraction process can be very effective for helping them to adjust to the extraction process. Talking them through the process or holding their hand are two examples of effective behavior.
Details About Tooth Extraction
You can also give your child some specific facts and details about teeth extraction in order to get them to relax about the process. Some of the following pieces of information can give your child some perspective and relaxation surrounding the extraction process.
- The tooth extraction process is short and can be completed in about an hour or an hour and a half
- Outline some of the details of the extraction recovery process, including some of the the ways you can soothe this process. Things like swishing with salt water, taking pain medication, and avoiding hard or crunchy foods can help your child experience less pain through this process.
In addition, some of the following are common side effects that are experienced by individuals after their procedure. Hopefully, your child won’t experience these side effects, but by knowing about them, you can help to diminish the amount of stress they will experience.
- Discomfort
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Infections
You can discuss with your physician the best steps to take in the case that they experience any of these side effects, or even experience other ones. This can save you and your physician stress and trouble down the line, as well as further dental work.
Your Best Option for Quality Dental Work
Pearl Dental Care is one of the best dentists in Pomona and is here to serve all of your needs for whatever dentist work you have in mind. If you’re worried about how your child might react to having a tooth pulled, contact us today in order to
