A Comfortable Tooth Extraction Helps Children
Sometimes, an issue develops in a child’s smile that cannot be treated with a dental filling or the placement of a dental crown. But without action, this could mean the spread of infection. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about how we can address these concerns and save smiles with a tooth extraction.
When Kids Benefit from a Removed Tooth
Sometimes, the position of a tooth could prevent orthodontic treatment, or could inhibit proper bite function and chewing, so we remove it to improve overall balance and prevent jaw joint strain. We could also recommend this for a tooth too decayed or infected for treatment with a filling or root canal, or when one sustains damage too advanced for repair with a crown. As your child prepares to leave the teen years behind, we could offer wisdom tooth extraction to remove the third molars before they erupt and make negative changes to the smile. For younger children, we could remove baby teeth that don’t fall out on schedule, because otherwise this could alter how the permanent teeth erupt.
The Extraction Process
We also take measures to ensure your little one is very comfortable and relaxed. Our staff is friendly and will make your child feel welcome and heard. Before the procedure, we will also administer a local anesthetic and dental sedation to help your kid enter a calm and relaxed state throughout the procedure. The extraction itself often takes as little as 30 minutes, with the dentist gently removing the tooth in question with a pair of forceps. We will provide detailed instructions to facilitate a quick and comfortable healing period. Your child will need to rest for a day, and avoid straws and solid foods in the first day as well.
Protecting Your Smile
With good oral hygiene, this could limit some of the factors behind a tooth extraction. For example, a diet low in sugar and starch, combined with daily brushing and flossing, could help prevent cavities and infections. Wearing a mouthguard when playing sports or martial arts could also limit the risk of cracked or broken teeth. Finally, a visit every six months for a checkup and cleaning allows us to remove harmful plaque buildup and keep the teeth healthy and strong, making them more resistant to an injury and oral health complications.
If you have any questions about how we extract teeth, or about helping your child enjoy a healthier smile, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Oral Surgery for Children?
Our team is ready to help prevent major problems for your child’s smile with oral surgery. If you have any questions about helping kids enjoy better oral health, then contact your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist, Dr. Marr, by calling (214) 321-4880.
filed under: Restorations for Kids