Extractions
In Modesto

teeth extractions for children

Tooth extraction is a surgical procedure to remove a tooth. Your child's tooth should only be extracted if it's fractured beyond repair due to decay or an injury. At our Modesto children's dental practice, we care about your family's oral hygiene and can help extract your kid's troubling teeth to restore their adorable smile. Ready to get started? Schedule your appointment today!

teeth extractions in Modesto

Did you know…

Did you know: About 42% of children aged 11 and below suffer from dental decay in their primary teeth?

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Common Causes of teeth extraction in children

Tooth Decay

Primary teeth are highly susceptible to tooth decay, which often leads to extractions. This is because children's tooth enamel is incredibly fragile.

Crowded Adult teeth

If a child's teeth remain fixed for a long time, they can crowd adult teeth. Extracting crowded teeth allows for teeth repositioning.

Gum Disease

Gingivitis often results in swelling, redness, and bleeding of the gum tissue. If overlooked, gingivitis can cause pediatric periodontal disease (PD), which affects the jawbone and gums. Severe cases of PD can lead to extractions.

Injury

Tooth damage resulting from accidents, faulty dental restorations, or falls can contribute to tooth extractions. Our professionals at First Smiles Children's Dentistry will examine your child to check for cracks, chips, and other damages and perform an extraction where possible.

Orthodontic treatment

If your little one is getting an orthodontic treatment like braces, extraction can help the success of the procedure.

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How Do I Prepare My Child For A Tooth Extraction?

Getting a tooth pulled can be extremely scary, especially to a child, but you can help make it easier by being transparent with them. Also, work with experienced children's dentists to ensure a smooth process. As a trusted pediatric dental clinic in Modesto, First Smiles Children's Dentistry strives to provide your child with the best treatment experience possible. For a successful tooth extraction process, be sure to prepare for post-procedure care.

What Does the Tooth Extraction Process Look like?

Dr. Chris Ha will take an x-ray to determine the severity of the tooth damage, and if it's beyond repair, it will be extracted. We will then give your child an antibiotic to combat any infection around the tooth. However, if your child is too nervous, we will prescribe anti-anxiety drugs before the procedure begins. We will then pull out the tooth and let your child bite on a piece of gauze to stop bleeding.

What’s Next After the Tooth Extraction?

After a successful tooth extraction procedure, your kids dentist in Modesto will prescribe a painkiller to help reduce jaw pain. In some cases, we may recommend over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent swelling. And after that, ensure your child does not eat any hard foods for the initial 24 hours. Let your child rinse their mouth with salt water to enable the stitches to heal quickly, mostly within two weeks.

Modesto children teeth extractions

Did you know…

Sedation options keep restless children calm while receiving dental treatment.

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Have questions about sedation options for your child? Find answers here.

Why is sedation used in dentistry?

Sedation is most often used to treat dental anxiety and keep children at ease during their treatment. Fear of the dentist is very common, and sedation can keep your child calm during their appointments. 

Additionally, sedation helps with pain and discomfort during more invasive procedures, such as tooth extractions. It also helps young patients feel more comfortable if they need to sit still for longer treatment times.

Is sedation dentistry right for my child?

As long as your child is healthy and is not taking any medications that may interfere with the sedation, your child should be a good candidate for sedation dentistry. Contact us to learn more about sedation options for your child. We can discuss any concerns you may have during a consultation.

What does sedation dentistry feel like for my child?

This depends on the method of sedation. With laughing gas, your child will feel light-headed, giggly, and relaxed, but will be fully conscious and aware of their surroundings. They will also feel less discomfort during treatment.

Oral conscious sedation and IV sedation will usually make patients feel groggy or sleepy. Your child will likely fall asleep, and probably won’t remember much about the procedure. However, they will not be unconscious, and can still be woken and respond to commands.

General anesthesia is the deepest level of sedation. Your child will be completely unconscious and will not feel anything or remember anything from the procedure.

Is sedation dentistry safe for toddlers?

When done correctly, sedation dentistry for children, even toddlers, is completely safe. Several precautions are taken to ensure a seamless experience. First, we’ll take a detailed health history to make sure we recommend the right sedation option. We’ll then discuss options with the parent or guardian so that you understand the effects and are prepared to care for your child after their procedure. All methods of sedation dentistry are provided by professional and skilled team members, so you rest assured that your child's well-being is of the utmost importance.

Did you know…

All the 20 baby teeth will fall out before your child becomes an adult.

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