Parents already have a lot to deal with when it comes to raising a child and ensuring they have all the help they need for healthy dental development, which is why, when they have to bring their kid for some dental work, some parents ask how to deal with a kids tooth extraction and when can their kid return to school or sports after treatment.

Don’t worry, though, as parents can prioritize their kids’ dental care by considering the level of care and the Pediatric Dentists’ experience with kids. Dr. Chen graduated with a Post-Doctoral Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and a Master of Science in Dentistry.

Moreover, Dr. Chen’s eagerness to maintain the highest professional and service standards keeps her seeking the uttermost certification honors in pediatric dentistry. Dr. Chen is a board-certified pediatric dentist awarded the “Best of Katy Readers Choice in pediatric dentistry” for six years in a row (2017- 2022).

A Board Certification by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry ensures our little patients a specialist devoir and vow to excellency by enduring a process to obtain a certification that encompasses a Qualifying and an Oral Clinical Examination.

A certification of this nature has a lasting period of ten years. Specialists seeking excellency in pediatric dentistry voluntarily apply for re-certification before the expiration of a certificate. This ensures parents that the specialist is committed to lifelong learning.

Above all, Dr. Chen’s values have helped her gain a strong reputation in the Katy community by providing compassionate assistance. Dr. Chen deems it crucial to encourage dental education to kids and parents, emphasizing oral and dental preventive care.

All of the mentioned reinforces the value given to your kid’s health and strengthens a close relationship with parents.

Why Might a Child Need Tooth Extractions?

Baby teeth naturally start falling off approximately between ages six and seven. In some rare cases, your kid might need some extra help with an extraction. Moreover, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends parents take their kids for their first orthodontic visit at age seven.

An orthodontic evaluation might reveal a need for a pediatric tooth extraction of one or two teeth to make room for permanent teeth and to prevent overcrowding. Also, beyond natural dental development, kids might also require extraction when the little patient tooth or teeth have considerable damage from tooth decay. In these circumstances, Dr. Chen might inevitably recommend an extraction.

How Do We Deal With a Kids’ Tooth Extraction?

A tooth extraction is a scary situation for an adult. Can you imagine how intimidating this might be for a kid? In some cases, the simple idea of attending a dental visit could be frightening; even more, dealing with the idea of getting a tooth pulled off makes anyone shrivers.

Luckily, Dr. Chen has ample experience providing dental treatments to kids and making this experience gentle and, most importantly, painless. So your kid will be anxiously waiting to go back to “The Home of the Super Smiles.”

Moreover, tooth extraction is often a quick procedure. Yet, after an extraction, your kid might have an unusual feeling of numbness in the lips that will fade away after the sedatives wear off. However, this doesn’t mean everything is over. Dr. Chen recommends parents observe the following:

• Keep an eye on your kid to avoid making too much effort spitting;
• Help your kid with some warm salt water for making gargles and carefully spitting them. This can also help for a quick recovery;
• Follow Dr. Chen’s prescriptions for pain medications;
• Avoid any element or device that requires sucking, like straws, pacifiers, or bottles, and;
• Momentarily withdraw carbonated or hot beverages from the kid’s diet.

Please consider this advice because failing to prevent these actions from occurring might end up in bleeding and pain. Also, it is essential for parents to remain calm and transmit a serene and soothing sensation to the kid because there will be some oozing that will recede after the second day.

Take this time to help your kid and save the tooth in a keepsake box or Google tips about how to preserve baby teeth for stem cells at home. You don’t know when you can need them. You might also take a little time to read our blog about where the tooth fairy come from with the Weird Story: The Tooth Fairy, and see some fun alternatives to help your kid overcome this moment with a positive attitude.

When Can My Child Return to School After Tooth Extraction?

Having a tooth pulled off is not the coolest of plans for a kid, but Dr. Chen knows how to manage this situation and engage your kid with the idea that the experience goes from potentially horrible to exciting.

Yet, for a kid, it is also cool to skip going to school. You can use this to cheer your kid but have a little caution on not stimulating your child too much. Please talk to your kid and explain that resting and avoiding any physically strenuous activity; is crucial for a rapid recovery.

The good news is kids’ recovery times are quicker than those in adults, and depending on the severity and number of extractions, your kid might be ready to come back to school after spending a couple of days at home.

Yet, it is important to check with Dr. Chen for a clinical discharge, especially when your kid endured a more traumatic than regular extraction.

What Can My Kid Eat After a Tooth Extraction?

A tooth extraction is something parents must take seriously. Our little patients might not size they have passed through a clinical procedure and might start fluttering, running, and hopping all over without realizing they must rest. Dr. Chen gives parents advise to parents about tips to have their kids at ease and get a full and quick recovery.

Yet, part of a successful recovery includes following a diet for a few days, at least during oozing. So, here we include some delicious cool and soft foods your kid will enjoy and that will help to get a swift recovery:

Creamy Fruit Smoothie

Blend together frozen strawberries, bananas, and Greek yogurt for a nutritious, easy-to-eat meal. The cold temperature will provide relief to your child’s gums, while the yogurt’s probiotics will promote the healing process and reduce the risk of infection. Plus, it’s a tasty treat that your child will love.

Yogurt Pudding

Simply mix together Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and honey for a sweet and healthy snack. Yogurt is a great source of protein and vitamins, making it an ideal food for post-extraction recovery. You can also add in some mashed fruit or pureed vegetables to increase the nutritional value.

Chilled Soup

Gazpacho is a great choice – it’s a tomato-based soup served cold with diced vegetables and herbs. You can also try a cold cucumber soup or creamy potato soup. Soups are easy to digest and require minimal chewing, making them perfect for a child who has just undergone a dental procedure.

Some other important dietary recommendations for parents to take care of their kids during recovery time include:

• Give your kid plenty of water and place ice packs or a cold compress in the adjacent area;
• Avoid by all possible means acidic foods, and cook a separate portion for your kid to prevent giving them any spicy food;
• Avoid hard, crunchy foods that can hurt the extraction site (tooth socket) and;
• Stick to soft and cold food options for the first few days of recovery.

All Kids Are Welcome to the Home of the Super Smiles

Having healthy and beautiful teeth can be fun. At Kids Healthy Teeth, Dr. Chen has extensive experience caring for kids’ teeth with a fun and compassionate touch that makes your little one want to come back.

Healthy Teeth, Healthy Body, is Dr. Chen’s motto! So, we encourage parents to be aware of the need for child preventive dental care. Schedule an appointment. You will be amazed how getting a healthy smile for your kid turns out to be fun.