Losing baby teeth is a normal part of growing up—but sometimes, a baby tooth needs a little extra help coming out, or one may need to be removed for the future benefit of the child’s oral health. While the idea of tooth extraction might sound a little alarming, both for parents and children alike, it’s actually a common and gentle procedure that you can easily help your child navigate. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Do Baby Teeth Need to Be Extracted?
Even though baby teeth eventually fall out, they play a big role in your child’s oral development. They hold space for the adult teeth, they help your child to eat and speak without issues or discomfort, and they help them to retain a full facial structure. Sometimes, though, one needs to be extracted for reasons such as:
- A baby tooth has extensive decay or infection that can’t be repaired with a filling or crown.
- Orthodontic treatment is needed, and certain teeth must be removed to make room for proper alignment.
- A baby tooth has suffered physical damage or trauma due to an accident, and extraction can prevent further complications.
- The baby tooth is simply being stubborn and not falling out once the adult tooth beneath is ready to erupt.
Preparing Your Child for Their Tooth Extraction
Dental visits can be a lot for children to take in, especially if they know they need a tooth pulled. However, you can do quite a lot to prepare them for their procedure and ensure a smooth, stress-free experience. Keep these useful tips in mind:
- Talk about the procedure calmly and positively, framing it so that your child can understand how it’ll benefit their smile and help their permanent teeth come in. Avoid words like “pain,” “needle,” or “pull,” which may create unnecessary fear.
- Explain what to expect, letting them know it’ll be a quick and easy procedure that they probably won’t even remember at all due to being sedated. Also, reassure them that they won’t feel great pain.
- Bring a comfort item from home, like a stuffed animal, blanket, or small toy, to help them feel more at ease.
- Plan a fun reward after the appointment or take them somewhere they like; it’ll give them something to look forward to and help them associate positive feelings with dental treatment.
If your child has a baby tooth that’s causing problems—or may cause them in the future—neither of you need to worry; tooth extraction is a common, simple, and sure solution!
About the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Nelson Hui and Dr. Josephine Yip, known as “Dr. JoJo” by her patients, our team here at Bloom Pediatric Dentistry proudly serves families in Murphy and the surrounding areas. We offer a wide variety of pediatric dental services for children of all ages, including emergency dentistry and tooth extractions. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our office to set up an appointment for your child, please reach out online or call today for assistance. We can’t wait to connect with you and your child! Telephone: (469) 663-0663.