Simple Tooth Extraction: Your Step-by-Step Guide to This Quick In-Office Procedure

Even if your child is diligent about oral hygiene, they might need a tooth extraction for crowded teeth or baby teeth that don’t fall out. 

Whatever the reason for a tooth extraction, you want to do everything you can to keep your child calm and comfortable. Knowing what to expect can help you relax, making it easier to pass that sense of ease to your child. 

That’s why our tooth extraction specialist, Irene Zaki, DDS, developed this step-by-step guide. Here’s what to expect if your child gets a simple tooth extraction at Happy Teeth Children’s Dentistry in Riverside, California.

Step 1: They get comfortable

The process begins with your child settling into a comfortable dental chair, which Dr. Zaki reclines. If your child has any questions or concerns, we can talk through them before we get started. 

Step 2: Sedation and anesthetic

We administer the appropriate type of sedation to ensure your child stays comfortable throughout the procedure. Dr. Zaki may recommend nitrous oxide, which your child breathes through a mask, or intravenous (IV) sedation. 

Here at Happy Teeth Children’s Dentistry, we only offer sedation that’s proven safe for children. 

Once the sedative has worked, Dr. Zaki injects a localized anesthetic to numb the area where she’ll perform the extraction.

Step 3: The extraction

If the tooth is still below the gum line, Dr. Zaki creates a small incision above it to allow her to access it. 

To begin the extraction, she uses specialized dental tools to loosen the tooth in its socket. This allows her to gently remove the tooth from your child’s mouth. 

She then cleans and disinfects the socket. Sometimes, she may use stitches to encourage faster healing in the area.

Step 4: Recovery

Once the simple tooth extraction is complete, we stop the sedation and gently bring your child back to alertness. 

Before sending you home, we discuss how to care for their mouth and ease discomfort. Some swelling and tenderness are normal, but Dr. Zaki can prescribe medications to help. 

We may also give you gauze pads to control any bleeding. Make sure you change those on the recommended schedule. 

Don’t let your child brush the area until we say it’s safe. If they rinse their mouth, make sure they do so gently.

Some other tips to support your child’s recovery include:

• Applying a towel-wrapped ice pack if they have soreness
• Letting them take it easy for a few days
• Avoiding drinking through a straw for the first couple of days
• Giving them soft foods as they heal

We have a more in-depth guide to recovering from tooth extraction that can help here, too. 

For questions before the appointment or anything that comes up afterward, don’t hesitate to contact us. Call us at Happy Teeth Children’s Dentistry or book your visit online.