Your child has had one or more teeth removed today. Proper care after a pediatric tooth extraction can protect the treatment area, manage discomfort, and support your child’s recovery.
Please follow the instructions below and call our office if you have questions or if any complications arise.
Keep the Gauze in Place
The gauze should remain over the extraction site with firm biting pressure for 30 minutes. We have provided additional gauze if it is needed.
Managing Your Child’s Discomfort
Give your child the appropriate dose of Children’s Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil when you remove the gauze.
Your child should generally need the medication for approximately 12 to 24 hours. If pain continues beyond 48 hours, call our office.
What Can Your Child Eat?
Your child should eat only soft foods for the first two to three days. Avoid foods that are:
- Hard or crunchy
- Extremely hot
- Extremely cold
The extraction area may remain sensitive during this time.
Encourage your child to drink plenty of liquids, including water, soup, and juice. A regular diet may be restarted as your child feels comfortable.
Avoid Straws, Sippy Cups, and Spitting
Do not allow your child to spit or drink through a straw or sippy cup.
These actions may cause the extraction site to begin bleeding again.
Brushing and Salt Water Rinses
A clean mouth heals faster. Gentle brushing around the extraction site may begin immediately.
Warm salt water rinses may also help with discomfort. Mix ¼ teaspoon of salt into one glass of warm water for the rinse.
Rest and Physical Activity
Your child’s physical activity may need to be limited after the extraction. Quiet activities and rest are recommended, and sometimes a nap is a good idea.
Managing Swelling
Some swelling after a tooth extraction is not uncommon and usually should not cause alarm.
Apply an ice pack to the outside of the affected area for:
- 15 minutes on
- 15 minutes off
Use the ice pack as needed during the first 24 hours following the tooth removal.
Protect the Numb Areas
Your child’s cheek, lip, and tongue may remain numb for approximately one to two hours.
Watch your child carefully during this period. Do not allow them to bite, chew, or pick at the numb area. As the feeling returns, the area may feel unusual or funny to your child.
Questions or Concerns After an Extraction
If you have questions or any complications arise, please call the office at (214) 935-3764. Seek emergency pediatric dental care if your child experiences a serious dental concern following treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should gauze stay in after my child’s tooth extraction?
Keep the gauze over the extraction site while your child applies biting pressure for approximately 30 minutes. Use the additional gauze provided by the dental office if it is still needed after the first piece is removed.
What can my child eat after a tooth extraction?
Offer soft foods for the first two to three days. Avoid crunchy foods and anything extremely hot or cold because the extraction site may be sensitive. Encourage liquids such as water, soup, and juice, and return to a regular diet as your child feels comfortable.
Can my child use a straw or sippy cup after an extraction?
No. Your child should not spit or drink through a straw or sippy cup after the extraction because the suction may cause the area to start bleeding again.
How long will my child’s mouth remain numb?
Your child’s cheek, lip, and tongue may remain numb for approximately one to two hours. Watch your child carefully and prevent them from biting, chewing, or picking at the numb areas.
When should I call the dentist after my child’s extraction?
Call the dental office if discomfort continues beyond 48 hours, bleeding becomes difficult to control, or any other complication develops. You should also contact the office whenever you are uncertain about your child’s recovery.
