Why Would My Child Need a Tooth Extraction? 

At Cuddle Kids Dental Care, we work tirelessly to save damaged teeth and restore their health and function. However, extracting a tooth is sometimes the best course of action to safeguard your child’s smile. Your child’s dedicated dentist and team will ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible. You can count on us for compassionate, gentle care. 

Why Would Your Child Need to Have a Tooth Extracted?

Here is a look at some of the most common reasons your child may require a tooth extraction: 

• Severe Tooth Decay: Deep decay can cause severe pain and leave the tooth susceptible to infection. It can also pose a risk to the neighboring, healthy teeth. If the damage is too extensive to repair with a tooth-colored filling, a dental crown, or a nerve treatment, extracting the tooth may be our only viable option to maintain your child’s oral health. 
• Infection or Abscess: A severe infection can lead to a painful abscess around the tooth’s root or surrounding tissue, with potential health complications. Extracting the infected tooth is sometimes the only option to eliminate the source of the problem and prevent the spread of infection to the adjacent teeth or bone.
• Baby Teeth Refusing to Fall Out: Baby teeth usually fall out to make way for the permanent teeth to come in. However, a baby tooth may not loosen or fall out naturally, interfering with the incoming tooth. If that happens, a baby tooth extraction may be required to facilitate the proper eruption of the adult tooth. 
• Traumatic Injury: Accidents can happen, sometimes leading to dental trauma. If your child experiences a dental injury that affects the integrity of a tooth, such as a fracture or dislocation, we may need to extract the tooth to prevent infection and further complications. 
• Crowding and Orthodontic Treatment: Selective tooth extractions are often a component of an orthodontic treatment plan. If your child’s mouth is overcrowded, removing one or more teeth can create the space needed for the teeth to move into their proper alignment. 

What Happens During Treatment?

We will start by administering a local anesthetic to numb the area and ensure a pain-free extraction procedure. We are also happy to offer pediatric sedation dentistry options, if needed, to help your child feel calm and relaxed during treatment.  

Most children’s tooth extractions are quick and simple. We will gently loosen the affected tooth and quickly remove it from its socket. Your child may feel pressure, but the area will be numb, so there should not be any pain or discomfort. 

Promoting Healing After a Tooth Extraction

Most children experience minimal to no pain after the procedure. If, however, your child has swelling or discomfort, cold compresses and over-the-counter pain relief medication can help. Note: Only administer medication after consulting with your child’s pediatric dentist. 

Make sure your child drinks plenty of water and eats soft foods for a day or two after the extraction. We also recommend avoiding rinsing or drinking out of a straw for the first 24 hours to prevent the accidental dislodging of the clot forming in the socket, which can interfere with healing. Remind your child to avoid brushing around the extraction site for a few days until the area heals. 

Pediatric Dental Extractions Near Me in Fort Worth, TX

If your child needs to have a tooth removed, you’re in good hands. Our skilled pediatric dentists and dedicated team at Cuddle Kids Dental Care are committed to ensuring our young patients receive the highest quality, most comfortable possible care. 

Looking for cutting-edge, gentle dental care? Call us at (682) 285-1010 or request an appointment online today. We look forward to hearing from you!