Why Would My Child Need a Tooth Extraction? 

At Santa Teresa Dental, we never spare any effort to save damaged baby teeth, restoring their health and function. However, there are times when we may need to extract one or more teeth to safeguard your child’s smile. Dr. Ann and her kid-friendly team strive to provide your child with the best possible experience. We are here for you and your little one every step of the way.

The Importance of Maintaining Healthy Baby Teeth

Maintaining healthy baby teeth is critical for healthy growth and development. Your little one’s tiny chompers support chewing, ensuring your child gets all the nutrients needed to support healthy teeth and gums. They also help support speech development and save the space the permanent teeth need to erupt in the correct position, ensuring their future alignment. That’s why we always strive to save damaged baby teeth whenever possible. If, however, your child needs to have a tooth extracted, you can count on Dr. Ann and her team for exceptional care with a gentle, compassionate touch.

Why Would Your Child Need to Have a Tooth Extracted?

There are several reasons why we may recommend having a child’s tooth extracted, including the following: 

• Severe Tooth Decay: Extensive decay or a large cavity left untreated can progress and cause pain and infection. We always attempt to save decayed teeth whenever possible, but if a tooth is damaged beyond repair, extracting it may be our only viable option. 
• Tooth Infection: A severe infection affecting the tooth’s inner pulp can lead to complications like pain and damage to the surrounding teeth. If the tooth cannot be saved, extracting it can prevent the infection from spreading and putting your child’s health at risk.  
• Dental Trauma: An accident can lead to severe damage that cannot be repaired using restorations like fillings or crowns. Extracting the tooth may be our only option to prevent infection, pain, and further complications. 
• Retained Baby Teeth: Baby or primary teeth usually fall out on their own to make room for their permanent replacements. However, if a baby tooth doesn’t fall out naturally, it can block the permanent tooth from erupting correctly, which is why we may recommend its extraction. 
• Orthodontic Treatment: We may recommend the selective extraction of baby or even permanent teeth as a component of an orthodontic treatment plan. The goal is to make room for the remaining teeth to shift into proper alignment, ensuring a healthy and well-spaced smile.

What Can You Expect?

Our experienced pediatric dentist will gently numb the tooth and surrounding area with a local anesthetic for your child’s comfort. We always go the extra mile to ensure your child is comfortable and stress-free. Most children require simple extractions, which are usually quick and straightforward, with little to no pain or discomfort during or after the procedure.

After extraction, it’s important to follow our care instructions to promote healing. For the first day or two, make sure your child doesn’t drink through a straw or rinse vigorously to prevent disrupting the blood clot forming in the tooth’s socket. We also recommend eating soft food and avoiding crunchy, sticky, or spicy foods for a few days. If you have any questions or concerns in the days following the extraction, don’t hesitate to give our office a call. 

Will Your Child Need a Space Maintainer? 

Depending on your child’s unique needs, the location of the extracted tooth, and how soon its permanent replacement is expected to emerge, we may recommend placing a space maintainer. The orthodontic appliance helps preserve the space left by the missing tooth, preventing the remaining teeth from shifting and tilting toward the gap. This helps maintain the alignment of the remaining teeth and ensures the adult tooth has the room it needs to come in. Space maintainers can help reduce or even eliminate the need for orthodontic treatment in the future. 

Pediatric Tooth Extractions Near Me in Morgan Hill, CA

Dr. Ann and her family-friendly team at Santa Teresa Dental are dedicated to providing our young patients with exceptional care and a stellar experience. From preventive care and restorative treatments to gentle tooth extractions, we strive to create positive associations with the dentist and lay the foundation for healthy smiles that last a lifetime. Call us at 408-782-6568 to schedule an appointment, or book one online today!