Most baby teeth wiggle loose and fall out on their own. A few need a dentist’s help to come out early. That usually happens when the tooth is too damaged to save, is infected, or is blocking the permanent tooth from coming in behind it.
Dr. Lamb, a board-certified pediatric dentist, and our team at All Star Kidz Pediatrics view baby teeth as valuable placeholders, so we save them whenever we safely can. When a tooth truly has to go, dental extractions are carefully planned with your child’s comfort in mind.
Why a Baby Tooth May Need to Come Out
Baby teeth hold space for the permanent teeth developing underneath them. For that reason, we generally want them to stay in place until they are ready to fall out naturally. Removal may be needed when decay is too severe to repair, an infection cannot be cleared, or the tooth is badly broken in a dental emergency.
There are also times when a baby tooth stays in place longer than expected and gets in the way of the permanent tooth. In those cases, removing it may give the new tooth room to come in. Timing is important because losing a baby tooth too early may lead to space loss as the neighboring teeth begin to shift.
What We Try Before Recommending Removal
If the tooth can be safely saved, we usually try to repair it first. A dental filling may be enough for a cavity that has not reached the center of the tooth. When decay reaches the pulp, pulp therapy or a crown may help the baby tooth last until it falls out on its own.
There comes a point when saving the tooth may no longer be the best option. A tooth may be too damaged for a filling or crown to hold, or an infection may continue even after treatment. An X-ray can show the roots and the permanent tooth waiting underneath, which helps guide the decision.
What Happens During a Baby Tooth Extraction
Before we begin, we tell your child what is going to happen in simple words. Next, the area is numbed so your child stays comfortable while the tooth comes out. Your child may still feel pressure or movement, and we explain those sensations ahead of time so nothing feels like a surprise.
Some children need a little more patience. For kids with special needs, we are glad to move at their pace and take extra time with each part of the visit.
Caring for Your Child After an Extraction
Your child’s mouth may stay numb for two to four hours, so watch closely to make sure they do not bite their cheek, lip, or tongue. These steps can help the first day go smoothly:
- Gauze: have your child bite down on gauze with firm pressure until the bleeding stops, and change it if needed. If bleeding continues for more than two hours, call our office.
- Gentle handling: skip straws, hard rinsing, and poking at the spot so the area can settle.
- Cool, soft foods: offer applesauce, yogurt, pudding, or ice cream, then return to regular foods as comfort allows.
- Pain relief: ask us which children’s pain reliever and dose fit your child, and never give aspirin.
- Brushing: keep cleaning the other teeth, and stay gentle around the extraction site.
A little swelling or a slight fever is not unusual in the first day or two, and a cold pack on the cheek can help. Call us if swelling appears after 48 hours, if the fever gets higher or lasts, or if pain does not ease with medication.
Keeping Space for the Adult Tooth
When a baby tooth comes out earlier than expected, the teeth next to it may begin shifting into the open space. A space maintainer can hold that spot open while the permanent tooth underneath continues to develop.
Your child may not need one after an extraction. It depends on which tooth was removed and how close the permanent tooth is to coming in. We can keep an eye on that area at future visits and let you know if the spacing starts to change.
Get Answers About Your Child’s Baby Tooth From All Star Kidz Pediatrics in Las Vegas
The idea of a tooth extraction can make both kids and parents nervous, so we take time to explain what is happening and work to keep your child comfortable. Dr. Lamb completed his pediatric dentistry residency at UNLV and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. If your child needs additional help relaxing during treatment, he also offers pediatric sedation dentistry.
If your child has a painful, damaged, or stubborn baby tooth, we can examine it and talk through whether it can be repaired or whether removal is the better option. We accept all major insurance plans, including Medicaid. Use our contact form to schedule a visit with our Las Vegas team.
