Getting Your Child Through Dental Extraction Recovery

If your child needs a tooth pulled, you probably aren’t looking forward to the process. Even if you trust your family dentist to handle the extraction without any issues, you know the days immediately after might not be easy.

Fortunately, armed with a few tips, you can help make your child’s recovery process more pleasant for you and them. In fact, that’s why Irene Zaki, DDS, and our team at Happy Teeth Children’s Dentistry created this guide. 

As experts in tooth extractions for kids, we’ve seen what helps to smooth and shorten children’s healing afterward. Not only do we offer tooth extractions at our office in Riverside, California, but we’re also here to answer any questions you may have about what happens afterward. Meanwhile, we teed up a few tips. 

#1: Keep them comfy

Set up a spot where they can relax in the first few days after the tooth extraction. Make sure it’s somewhere you can easily monitor. You might make them a bed on the couch, for example. 

You can apply an ice pack if they have any swelling or complain that their mouth hurts. Wrap it in a towel so the ice doesn’t directly touch their skin. Apply the ice pack for 15 minutes every few hours, as needed. 

Dr. Zaki might also prescribe medication to ease any pain for your child. If she does, make sure you stay on top of the recommended schedule for giving them each dose. 

#2: Have lots of soft foods handy

Your child shouldn’t bite down on anything solid for about a week after their tooth is pulled. Stock your house with plenty of soft foods, like:

• Apple sauce
• Blended soups
• Cottage cheese
• Mashed potatoes
• Oatmeal
• Pudding
• Scrambled eggs
• Yogurt

Talk with our team if your child’s a picky eater and you’re unsure what to give them. We can help you tailor a menu to them. 

#3: Avoid behaviors that could slow healing

Your child develops a blood clot after the tooth comes out. You want to keep that clot in place to encourage the area to heal quickly. 

With that goal in mind, for the first few days, don’t let them:

• Use a straw 
• Brush the area
• Rinse their mouth too vigorously

We usually send your child home with gauze to keep on the tooth socket for the first 24 hours. As you change it, do so gently. Ideally, you want to keep the area as undisturbed as possible. 

#4: Schedule the extraction wisely

Talk with our team if you need to minimize the days you take off work to care for your recovering child. For example, if you have weekends off, we can schedule their extraction on a Friday. 

#5: Contact us if you have any questions

A little swelling and discomfort are expected in the first few days after the tooth extraction. If anything’s worrying you, though, or your child doesn’t seem to be improving daily, contact us. Dr. Zaki and our team can ensure your child isn’t dealing with any complications — and if they are, we apply treatment to help the area heal properly.

We hope these tips help you navigate your child’s tooth extraction. If you’re ready to schedule it, call our office or request an appointment online today.