Tooth Extractions

Tooth Extractions

Tooth Extractions

Among the many exciting things children experience, losing their first tooth adds joy too. While it helps that babies’ teeth come out on their own, seldom, their teeth need little help to streamline the oral care. Tooth extraction is considered when one of the following happens:

  • When baby teeth remain intact for too long and crowd the adult teeth, tooth extraction can help avoid orthodontic treatments at later stages
  • When the tooth is severely decayed
  • When a tooth is eroded because of injury or trauma
  • When a tooth is infected with germs and bacteria leading to tooth damage

Dr. Joseph Cheng, DDS., located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, is a trained dentist who experts in tooth extractions in children which begins with an x-ray to analyze the tooth’s root and bone condition. Local anesthesia is administered for simple extraction. The tooth is then removed with forceps. If the extraction is a little difficult, some of the gum tissue near the tooth is also extracted. In such cases, the child id sedated through nitrous oxide or IV. 

Follow-Up Care for Pediatric Tooth Extractions

Even though tooth extractions could be a simple procedure, your child will have to a follow certain follow-up instruction to ensure less pain and avoid further complications post-treatment.

  The child needs to be reminded that some amount bleeding is normal post tooth extraction

 Dr. Cheng will apply sterile gauze to the treated area after the extraction. Applying biting pressure on the gauze helps in stopping the bleeding and allows clotting.

 In some cases, a few stitches may be added to help extraction site heal.

 Extra gauze should be applied if the initial gauze becomes overly wet. One or two gauze pads should be folded and placed in the extraction site and the child has to bite it firmly.

 Once the gums form a protective blood clot, it is essential to keep the clot intact. Because if the clot is removed, the underlying bone gets exposed to food, air and liquids.

 Slight bleeding on the day of treatment is normal, but contacting the office is important when the bleeding increases

 It is compulsory to avoid rinsing for the first 24 hours. Later, rinsing with salt water helps reduce pain and keep the area clean

 To keep the clot undisturbed, spitting or using straw must be avoided

 The child can be given pain medication or an ice pack for mild swelling. But if the child develops a fever or the swelling increases, you need to contact our office right away

 The child must follow a liquid diet for the first few hours and soft food can be consumed for the rest of the day and the following day. It is recommended to avoid hot food

 It is important to be watchful and ensure that the child does not scratch the numbed cheek, tongue or lip as the sedation lasts only for a couple of hours

 If there is a sign of infection, a dose of antibiotics will be prescribed

 Your child be must drink plenty of water to keep the mouth clean and remain hydrated

 The child must follow the routine of gentle brushing and rinsing mouth with salt water from the following day of extraction. As a clean mouth heals quicker, regular rinsing for several days is required and this also helps to keep the treatment site clean.

Office Hours

Monday

9:00am - 6:00pm

Tuesday

8:00am - 5:00pm

Wednesday

7:00am - 5:00pm

Thursday

8:00am - 5:00pm

Friday

8:00am - 2:00pm

Saturday

CLOSED

Sunday

CLOSED