What to Expect After Your Child Has a Tooth Removed

Children may need teeth removed for a variety of reasons. For example, a tooth may need to be removed if it is badly decayed or if the tooth is fractured beyond repair. A tooth may also need to be removed simply because the way it is coming in is crowding other teeth. An experienced pediatric dentist will be able to tell you whether your child’s tooth needs to be pulled. Knowing what to expect after a tooth removal can put your mind at ease and provide comfort to your child.

Do not rinse for 12 hours after the tooth removal.

Avoiding rinsing will help your child’s mouth heal faster. You should rinse your child’s mouth with salty water after each meal the day after the tooth removal. Fill a cup with warm water and add about half of a teaspoon of salt. Stir well. Pediatric oral surgery can be tricky, so be sure to follow any specialized instructions regarding rinsing.

Avoid dangerous activities or foods the day after.

You child should not play any sports or engage in any dangerous play for about 24 hours after the procedure. Be sure to discourage your child from playing with the tooth socket to avoid unnecessary bacteria or bleeding. Hard foods should also be avoided for about a day after the surgery. Stay away from foods and drinks that are especially hot as well. Your kid’s dentist may provide your child with additional restrictions as well.

Your child may need medications after the tooth removal.

Your pediatric dentist may recommend a course of antibiotics after the tooth removal. Your child likely will not have any prescription pain medications because over-the-counter painkillers will generally work well. Be sure to follow any package instructions regarding giving pain medication to children.

When to See Your Pediatric Dentist

If the socket starts bleeding, you can rinse your child’s mouth to remove any blood clots. Then, dampen a rolled up piece of gauze or other dry cloth and put the cloth over the socket. Ask your child to bite hard for about 15 minutes to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding does not stop, call your pediatric oral surgeon. If your child develops an allergic reaction or if his or her pain does not seem to go away, then call your pediatric dentist