Children’s Tooth Extractions – South Portland & Auburn
Protect Your Child’s Future Smile
Tooth extractions can be an unnerving treatment for many children, and parents in Auburn and South Portland may also feel somewhat uncertain about them. However, our team at Maine Pediatric Dentistry assures both parents and patients that tooth removal is recommended only when it is absolutely necessary. Our office is dedicated to delivering safe and comfortable care that produces successful results. Here’s a brief guide to the pediatric tooth extraction process, but please contact our staff if you have any more questions.
Why Choose Maine Pediatric Dentistry for Children’s Tooth Extractions?
- Experienced and Compassionate Pediatric Dentist
- Calming, Kid-friendly Office Environment
- Dental Insurance Accepted
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
Dr. Kim may recommend a children's tooth extraction in South Portland if:
- Your child is experiencing severe dental decay, and it cannot be treated with a dental filling, a customized crown, or pulp therapy.
- Your child has sustained significant facial trauma, resulting in a broken or damaged tooth that cannot be saved.
- Your child’s baby tooth will not fall out on its own, and the permanent tooth is beginning to erupt.
- Your child requires orthodontics but needs additional space for successful tooth movement.
- A tooth is impacted, which can affect the alignment of other teeth while providing shelter for harmful oral bacteria.
In any of these cases, the goal of tooth extraction is to eliminate or prevent infections or other oral health problems that can have negative long-term consequences.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
To extract your child’s tooth, Dr. Kim will begin by applying an anesthetic treatment to render the process painless and may employ dental sedation treatment if they need a little help sitting calmly through the procedure. She will then use a tool called an elevator to lift the tooth partway out of its socket before grasping it with dental forceps and gently rocking it back and forth until it is free of any connective tissue. Dr. Kim may also prescribe pain relievers or antibiotics to help ensure a smooth healing process.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Keeping the extraction site clean and allowing it to rest can help your child to enjoy a smooth and speedy recovery. A few tips for pediatric tooth extraction aftercare include:
- Have your child take any medications as prescribed
- After the first twenty-four hours, rinse your child’s mouth with a solution of a half teaspoon of salt and eight ounces of water
- Keep your child from drinking through a straw, as this can lead to a severely painful condition called dry socket
- Have your child rest, as strenuous activity can strain the healing tissues
- Prop up your child’s head above their heart when they lay down to prevent excess blood pressure from stressing the surgical area
If a baby tooth is removed, it may be best to simply wait for the adult tooth to come in to replace it, but Dr. Kim may recommend another replacement option in other cases.