Children’s Baby Tooth Extractions

Pink saliva or slight oozing is common today. For active bleeding, place damp gauze over the socket and apply steady biting pressure for 20 minutes. Repeat once if needed. Call if bleeding continues.

Supervise gauze use; remove before food, drinks or sleep. Never leave loose gauze in a young child’s mouth.

Numbness often lasts 2-4 hours, sometimes longer. Prevent lip, cheek and tongue biting, sucking or scratching. Wait until numbness wears off before chewing. Avoid hot food and drinks. Offer small sips of cool water when alert and swallowing normally.

For 24 hours: no rinsing, forceful spitting, straws or sucking at the socket. Keep fingers, toys and the tongue away. Do not repeatedly pull the lip or cheek aside to inspect the area.

Once bleeding stops, offer frequent drinks from a cup. Choose yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, eggs or soft pasta. Chew on the opposite side if possible. Avoid hot, crunchy or sharp foods, nuts, seeds and popcorn. Resume usual foods as comfortable.

Use children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen only if appropriate, following your dentist’s directions or weight-based package dosing. Do not exceed doses or give aspirin. Check any dose already given at the appointment.

Follow all instructions from your dentist. If antibiotics or other prescription medicines are prescribed, take them exactly as directed. Contact us before changing or stopping treatment, or if a reaction occurs.

Gently brush the other teeth with fluoride toothpaste tonight; avoid the socket. No rinsing for 24 hours. After 24 hours, children who can safely rinse and spit may use warm salt water after meals for several days: ½ teaspoon salt in 1 cup water. Skip rinsing if your child cannot spit safely. Medicated rinses only if prescribed.

Quiet play today; avoid running, sports and strenuous activity for 24 hours. For mild swelling, use a cold pack wrapped in cloth: 10 minutes on, 10 off during the first day. Do not pull at stitches. Keep any advised follow-up visit.