Most adults know that they eventually lose their baby teeth, but few know why we actually go through this process. It’s important to understand the purpose of extracting baby teeth so that you can properly take care of your child’s oral health. Keep reading to learn more about why we extract baby teeth and what you can do to ensure that the process goes smoothly.
Why We Extract Baby Teeth
There are a few reasons why we extract baby teeth, and the most common one is crowding. When a child’s mouth doesn’t have enough room for all of their adult teeth, we need to extract one or more of the baby teeth to make room. This is usually done before braces are put on so that the child’s permanent teeth can come in without any issues.
Another common reason to extract baby teeth is due to decay. If a baby tooth is severely decayed, it needs to be extracted in order to prevent the decay from spreading to the adult tooth underneath. In some cases, a baby tooth may also be extracted if it is blocking the path of an erupting adult tooth.
How You Can Help Your Child Through the Process
If your child needs to have a baby tooth extracted, there are a few things you can do to help them through the process. First, it’s essential that you explain what’s going to happen in a way that they can understand. This will help ease any anxiety or fear they may be feeling. Second, you should try to schedule the extraction for a time when your child is feeling well and relaxed. Third, you should give your child something cold to bite on during and after the procedure to help with any pain or swelling. Finally, make sure you praise your child for being brave and give them plenty of love and support afterwards.
If you’re unsure if your child needs to have a tooth extracted, give Grafton Orthodontics a call at 262.377.8950. We’ll set up an appointment to see you and your child right away, and together we’ll decide what the next steps are.