Your Child and Dental Extractions: A Parent’s Guide

Your child’s first permanent tooth is a huge milestone! But, before you celebrate, you should be prepared to deal with the new concerns that accompany adult teeth. Not only should these new teeth be treated with extra care, but they can actually lead to a variety of issues that can only be addressed with a tooth extraction. At Children’s Dentistry of Manatee, we believe that extractions are not only a great way to relieve discomfort and improve oral health, but are also an opportunity to start developing healthy oral hygiene habits. Visit us today to learn more about how we take care of our young patients’ teeth!

What Are Dental Extractions?

Extractions are common dental procedures, especially in children whose teeth are still developing. It involves the simple removal of a tooth that is decaying or impacted.

When Should You Get A Tooth Extraction?

Extractions are one of the most common pediatric dentistry procedures performed on children. While they’re often no serious cause for alarm, here are a number of reasons your child may need to get their teeth extracted:

• Tooth Decay – It might surprise some parents to learn that tooth decay can become a problem as soon as your child starts growing teeth. Baby bottle tooth decay is often caused by the sugars in juice, formula, and breast milk. Some babies may need their molars removed before the cavities and discomfort worsen.
• Injury or Trauma – Children will sometimes play a little too hard! If they end up chipping their teeth, biting something they shouldn’t have, or cracking their tooth, an extraction might be necessary.
• Impacted Teeth – Losing a baby tooth is no big deal, but what should you do when the new tooth doesn’t erupt properly? For many children with crowded smiles, having troublesome teeth extracted might be necessary.
• Preparation for Orthodontics – In cases where orthodontics is required, your child’s teeth may need to be removed to accommodate new teeth. Extraction may also be used to prevent dental crowding and retained baby teeth.
• Baby Tooth Removal – Improperly removed baby teeth can also lead to impacted permanent teeth. By opting for extraction, there is a greater chance that your child’s teeth will grow correctly.

If your child is experiencing pain or discomfort, they may need a tooth extraction. Set an appointment today!

Types of Tooth Extractions

There are two common types of extraction that we perform at Children’s Dentistry of Manatee. Depending on the needs of your child, we may recommend either:

1. Simple Extraction – Simple extractions are fairly straightforward procedures – requiring minimal, often local, anesthetic to remove a tooth that is already visible along the gumline. This type of extraction is commonly used for:

• Decayed teeth
• Injured or cracked teeth
• Loose baby/milk teeth
• Orthodontics

2. Complex/Surgical Extraction – Surgical extractions are used when the tooth that needs to be removed is not visible or is impacted. This involves making an incision into the gums and more anesthesia. This type of extraction is commonly used for:

• Impacted teeth
• Dental overcrowding
• Fixing a “snaggletooth”

What To Expect During A Dental Extraction

Extractions are typically quick procedures. Here’s what you can expect with this procedure:

• X-Ray – In some cases, an x-ray may be taken to assess your child’s dental structure.
• Anesthesia – Either local or general anesthesia will be administered, depending on the type of extraction.
• Pain Medication – After your child’s tooth is extracted, they may be given some medication to manage discomfort.

Opt For A Painless Tooth Extraction in Bradenton or Lakewood Ranch Today

Extractions can impact your child’s oral health for a long time to come – so, it’s important that you find a practice that truly cares about the development of your child. At Children’s Dentistry of Manatee, we take great pride in the care we show for our patients, and the smiles we receive in kind. Call today and restore your child’s smile with us!