Our pediatric dental team may recommend a tooth extraction if your child’s tooth is severely damaged. If your child experiences tooth damage from an injury or accident, or if a tooth develops extensive decay, an extraction at our Falcon office might be the best option to protect their smile and overall oral health. Our pediatric dentist will carefully examine your child’s mouth to determine whether this treatment is the most appropriate choice.

Book Online

When Do Children Need Tooth Extractions?

There are several reasons why a pediatric tooth extraction may be necessary:

  • Severe Tooth Decay: Children’s teeth are more prone to decay due to fragile enamel and the challenge of maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine. Untreated cavities can cause further complications and even affect developing adult teeth, which may lead our pediatric dentist to recommend an extraction.
  • Trauma or Injury: If your child’s tooth is damaged from an accident or injury, it may need to be extracted. While some damage can be repaired with a pulpotomy and dental crown, more severe injuries might require extraction and a space maintainer.
  • Gum Disease: Gum disease, caused by inflammation and infection, can loosen teeth. If the teeth do not fall out on their own, they may need to be extracted.
  • Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth, or third molars, may become trapped or fail to erupt properly. In these cases, they need to be removed to prevent oral health issues such as infection or misalignment.
  • Orthodontic Treatment: To create space for permanent teeth and correct misalignment, extraction may be necessary, especially when overcrowding prevents proper eruption.

What Happens During A Tooth Extraction?

Before the extraction, our pediatric dentist will take any necessary X-rays to ensure precision. A local anesthetic or other sedation options will be provided to ensure your child’s comfort. The tooth will be carefully removed using small instruments, and our pediatric dentist will check to ensure that no surrounding bone or tissue is damaged. Stitches, sterile gauze, and space maintainers will be placed as needed.

Post-Extraction Care

After the procedure, some discomfort is normal but should subside within a few days. To help manage the recovery process, we recommend the following:

  • Follow all medication instructions. Anti-inflammatory medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen can help with pain, and prescribed antibiotics should be taken as directed.
  • Apply ice packs or cold compresses to the outside of the jaw near the extraction site to reduce swelling and discomfort.
  • Keep your child on a soft diet (e.g., cooked vegetables, mashed potatoes, smoothies) for the first few days.
  • Avoid using straws or vigorous spitting for about a week to prevent complications with the healing site.

If you have any questions or concerns during the recovery period, feel free to contact our office.

Schedule A Falcon Pediatric Tooth Extraction

For more information or to schedule an appointment for pediatric tooth extraction in Falcon, CO, call Falcon Pediatric Dentistry today at (719) 749-9001.