You might be excited to see your child’s smile develop. It might’ve come a long way since they were born, so it’s easy to feel bittersweet about it. That said, at their next dental visit, did their pediatric dentist recommend a tooth extraction? This might be the last thing you want for yourself, so it’s easy to wonder whether it’s needed for your loved one. Here are three reasons why it can benefit their oral health.
Stops Severe Oral Health Issues
A tooth is often removed when it has sustained severe damage or decay. When these issues are mild to moderate, a filling or crown can oftentimes fix them. This isn’t the case when they are intense. To get rid of them, an extraction will be needed to get rid of the problem and relieve any discomfort your child is feeling.
Protects Your Child’s Smile
Building on the point above, decay and cracks can worsen when left untreated. They can’t heal on their own, and they increase the risk of an infection. They can also spread to the nearby teeth and gums, becoming a bigger headache that will need to be handled. Extractions prevent this and protect your loved one’s smile from further harm.
Allows Their Adult Teeth to Come In
Baby teeth are supposed to fall out on their own as your child grows up. This often happens around age six and goes on until the early teens. They act like placeholders for the adult ones as they develop and erupt.
That said, these initial structures may not come out for some kids. They might stay put, but this is trouble for a growing smile. The permanent teeth coming in can become damaged or misaligned as the space they are supposed to move into is filled. An extraction can avoid this from happening, so their grin stays in great shape.
Although you might’ve been nervous about this procedure for your child, it can be beneficial for them in the long run. If you have any questions about it, don’t hesitate to ask their pediatric dentist. They can explain more about why it would be best for their oral health.
About the Practice
Want to protect your loved one’s smile? Our team at Purdy Pediatric Dentistry is dedicated to helping kids and teens in Bakersfield with their teeth and gums. While a tooth extraction may be nerve-racking for little ones, our skilled pediatric dentists strive to make it as easy as possible with same-day urgent visits and dental sedation. If you have any questions about this procedure for your child, schedule an appointment or call our office at 661-832-5530.