Typically, people think about removing teeth in the context of wisdom teeth. This is usually people’s first experience with any kind of oral surgery, and it doesn’t really happen until late adulthood. That’s why you might be a little bit surprised if your child’s dentist recommends a tooth extraction.
However, there are plenty of reasons why that may be necessary. If your child is stressed about the procedure, it may be useful to explain to them why the treatment is necessary in order to put them at ease. With that in mind, here’s what you should know about the potential of your child needing a tooth extraction, and how you can make the procedure as stress-free as possible for them.
What Makes Tooth Extractions Necessary for Children
While you might necessarily hear about children’s tooth extractions all that often, there are actually plenty of reasons why your child may need one, even on a baby tooth.
For one, it may be that your child has serious tooth decay that can’t be treated adequately with a filling. In such cases, it may be more comfortable and safer for your child to simply remove the tooth, preventing the disease from spreading elsewhere in the mouth. The same logic applies to teeth that are removed after substantial, irreparable damage.
If your child is looking at getting braces, their orthodontist may recommend a tooth extraction in order to make room for the teeth to fit together. This is particularly useful in the case of crowded teeth that can impede the healthy development of your child’s jaw.
How to Make a Tooth Extraction Easy on your Child
Tooth extraction can be scary for any patient, and especially for kids. It’s good to remind them that their teeth being removed is a part of maintaining a healthy smile. If they’ve already lost some of their baby teeth, you can let them know that this will be just like that—quick, painless, and a natural part of taking care of the teeth.
If you’re seeing a family or pediatric dentist, you could always ask the staff what to say to your child. They’re professionals and will be able to do a lot to put you and your child at ease.
About Our Practice
At Clear Coast Dental, we have been serving the dental needs of our community for decades now. In that time we’ve learned a lot about how to not only improve the oral health of the families we see, but to attend to their emotional needs as well. Dentistry can be anxiety-inducing for people of any age, which is why we bring a gentle touch to every dental procedure we perform along with decades of clinical expertise.
If you have any questions about tooth extractions for your child, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (508) 812-9294.
