Some children might experience severe dental problems and it’s no surprise that tooth extraction is a common procedure in pediatric dentistry. A tooth extraction procedure might be used for certain issues as well as to prevent other oral health conditions.

It can be a bit of a scary experience for your kid, and might even make you a little nervous as a parent. But there is nothing to worry about. Modern pediatric dentistry will ensure that any tooth extraction is absolutely safe and as painless as possible.

The procedure of removing a tooth is determined by the state of the tooth and if it’s clearly visible the dental specialist might decide to do a quick and easy extraction by numbing the area with a local anesthetic and simply removing the tooth.

But if the tooth is not visible the procedure would involve extracting some of the surrounding tissue of the gums, which would involve more heavy sedation to aid in the procedure. But kids tooth extraction is completely safe and can be easily performed by a quality pediatric dentist.

Here is how to reduce your kid’s anxiety of a tooth extraction procedure

Explain to your child why tooth extraction is necessary

A better understanding of why tooth extraction is important will help reduce anxiety. Explain thoroughly on what are the potential outcomes and complications if the tooth is not removed from their mouth. 

Tell your child about what to expect during the tooth extraction procedure

Since children react differently to situations that they are not familiar with, it’s important to tell them about everything that’s going to be done during the procedure. The words “dental clinic” and “hospital” create a negative reaction to the child’s innocent mind. Their unfavorable past experiences oftentimes provoke these negative reactions.

Often, these words are associated with pain. Therefore, it’s essential to take some time to acquaint them with the tooth extraction procedure to reduce their stress.

Give your child time to rest and prepare 

Rest is important for both pre and post-procedure. This will help your child relax on the day of their appointment. After the procedure, it’s better if you follow the post-care treatment to help your kid recover faster and avoid further complications.

5 main reasons your child needs a tooth removal procedure 

1. Tooth damage 

If your kid’s tooth is broken or cracked, extraction is the best option. If the tooth can't be restored with a crown or the damage extends into the root, the dentist might recommend extraction.

2. Advanced tooth decay 

If the tooth is decayed badly, and it might not be possible to save it, your kid may need a tooth extraction. Pain is typically a major symptom of decay, as is tooth discoloration and bad breath, even after brushing. Sensitivity is also a common symptom of decay, and it might increase when your kid consumes sugary, hot, and cold foods. Root canals can save some decayed teeth, but extraction may be the only option if the decay is widespread.

3. Wisdom tooth pain 

If your teenager experiences pain in the back of the mouth, it could be due to partially or fully impacted wisdom teeth. If impacted wisdom teeth are left in place, they can contribute to nerve damage and push nearby teeth resulting in misalignment.

4. Dental abscess

Untreated severe tooth decay can provoke an abscess. A dental abscess is an acute infection in the tooth's pulp. If your kid has an abscess, they might experience severe pain and have a fever. 

An abscess can also cause swelling around the jaw, swollen lymph nodes, a pimple or pus on the gum, or gum redness and swelling. If your kid has an abscess, they will need to take antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading. Tooth extraction might be required in this case.

5. Delayed appearance of a permanent tooth 

Baby teeth sometimes should be extracted if they hinder permanent teeth to erupt naturally or if they don't fall out on their own. If a baby tooth is still in their mouth but you can see the permanent tooth in front of or behind it, it's time to visit your pediatric dentist.