Is Tooth Extraction for Kids Painful

As a parent, you are naturally concerned when your child needs dental work outside the norm. Finding out your child will need a tooth extraction can be stressful. Questions like, "does getting a baby tooth extraction hurt?" or "are kids teeth easier to extract?" may come to mind. The extraction of a child's tooth can be a simple procedure, but choosing the right pediatric dentist is essential.

If you have had a negative dental experience in the past, you may cringe when your pediatric dentist suggests extracting your child's tooth. One of the most important things you can do is remain calm. Children often look to parents for assurance that everything will be okay, and they can pick up on your feelings if you are anxious.  Children that have positive dental experiences early on usually do not fear or dread going to a dentist as an adult.

You may find yourself wondering how to make tooth extraction easy on kids. Pediatric dentists understand children and their teeth and are well trained to provide the best care. If you are in the Idaho Falls, ID area, you can trust Thomas Baker, D.M.D. at Baker Pediatric Dentistry to take the best care of your child and their teeth.

Why Extract a Child's Tooth

Pediatric dentists are trained to understand both baby teeth and permanent teeth, unlike adult dentists who only deal with permanent teeth. Dr. Baker understands how baby teeth and permanent teeth can interact with each other. He knows that baby teeth that have experienced too much decay cannot be saved, and some permanent teeth need to be removed so other teeth can straighten.

If our pediatric dentist recommends getting a baby tooth extracted, your first thought is often, "does getting a baby tooth extraction hurt?" Of course, no parent wants to see their child in pain. But, we take great care to make a tooth extraction as easy and pain free as possible.

Are kids teeth easier to extract? There is no easy answer - it depends on the type of tooth and can vary from child to child. Baby teeth may be trickier as they often have thin, long roots that must be removed very carefully.

Why would a pediatric dentist suggest having a child's tooth extracted? There are many reasons, including:

Dental Cavities

Baby teeth are thinner and, therefore, much more fragile than our adult teeth. Something that can be repaired in an adult tooth, such as a cavity or crack, may require an extraction. Baby teeth that have experienced too much decay are removed rather than filled.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease comes from a bacterial infection in your child's gum and may result in tooth extraction. Are kids teeth easier to extract if periodontal disease is present? It depends on the amount of damage done to the gums and roots. But what's important is removing the tooth to prevent further damage to other teeth and gums.

Crowded Mouth

Another reason a child might have to have a tooth taken out is crowding. Removing a tooth can prevent crooked teeth as it allows more room for the remaining teeth. It can also prevent plaque build up on hard to reach teeth, which prevents further tooth decay. Sometimes, baby teeth stay in place too long and must be pulled to allow room for permanent teeth.

Does getting a baby tooth extraction hurt? Any time you have dental work done, there's a chance of experiencing pain. Depending on the circumstances, our doctor provides either safe in-office oral sedation, nitrous oxide sedation, or operation room anesthesia to help reduce pain.

In order to make your child as comfortable as possible following the extraction, our pediatric dentist provides antibiotics and painkillers. Some extractions may require a few stitches. After the dental work, children will need to eat soft food for a few days and drink plenty of water.

Baker has three children of his own, so he knows the importance of taking care of your child's teeth and how to make tooth extraction easy on kids. Knowing that your child will require a tooth extraction can be frightening. You want a pediatric dentist you can trust. We at Baker Pediatric Dentistry strive to minimize the discomfort a child experiences during an extraction.

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