{"id":153,"date":"2024-07-25T20:27:43","date_gmt":"2024-07-25T20:27:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.washparkpediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=153"},"modified":"2025-06-13T19:57:13","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T19:57:13","slug":"5-tips-helping-your-child-heal-after-tooth-extraction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.washparkpediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/2024\/07\/25\/5-tips-helping-your-child-heal-after-tooth-extraction\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips for Helping Your Child Heal After Tooth Extraction"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"mom<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

When your child has to endure a hard time, you would do anything as a parent to help them get to the other side. With a tooth extraction<\/a>, your child must go through the healing process, and your guidance and assistance can make the experience much smoother and faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you as a parent need to do for your child as they heal from a tooth extraction? Here are some essential tips to help them recover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Control Bleeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the tooth is extracted, folded gauze is placed at the site, and your child is instructed to gently bite down, applying slight pressure, as well as rest for a few days. Before leaving the pediatric dentist\u2019s office, they should equip you with extra gauze. After about 45 minutes, take out the gauze from your child\u2019s mouth, and if they continue bleeding, wet the gauze with warm water and have them gently bite down again. Within 30 minutes, the bleeding should slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for a Blood Clot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once bleeding has stopped, you should notice a blood clot forming on top of the extraction site. This is an important part of the healing process because it protects the tender tissues underneath from oral bacteria. If it comes off before it\u2019s ready, the risk of a painful infection called dry socket increases significantly. As a result, keep this clot in place until it naturally comes off at least several days after the extraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manage Pain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the anesthetic wears off, numbness will likely be replaced with soreness and mild to moderate discomfort for a couple of days. Fortunately, you should be able to reduce this pain with an over-the-counter reliever. For additional help, you can place a cold compress on your child\u2019s face for about 20 minutes at a time, which will also minimize swelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give Your Child Soft Foods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Especially during the first 24 to 48 hours following the procedure, your child needs to only eat soft foods. This means sticking to yogurt, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes. Smoothies are okay, but do not let your child use a straw or drink hot beverages during this time\u2014the sucking motion or heat could remove the blood clot. After this period, your child can start to resume a more normal diet as tolerated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be Careful Cleaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even though your child has undergone an extraction, their other teeth still need to be cleaned, so don\u2019t neglect brushing and flossing. Obviously, great care must be used around the surgical site to not disrupt the blood clot, and your child shouldn\u2019t use a mouth rinse for at least 24 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brief healing period following a tooth extraction may be a temporary challenge, but with the right actions, your child can make it through as smoothly and comfortably as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Patrick Bowman<\/a> is a board-certified pediatric dentist, which means he has completed a two-year advanced training program in pediatric dental medicine and maintains his certification through continuing education coursework year after year. He and the team at Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry make every effort to give each patient the best experience possible. If you have concerns following a tooth extraction, don\u2019t hesitate to contact Dr. Patrick online<\/a> or call the Denver office at 720-647-6310.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When your child has to endure a hard time, you would do anything as a parent to help them get to the other side. With a tooth extraction, your child must go through the healing process, and your guidance and assistance can make the experience much smoother and faster. What do you as a parent […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n5 Tips for Helping Your Child Heal After Tooth Extraction - Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Healing after a tooth extraction doesn\u2019t have to be challenging. 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