When baby teeth are badly damaged, because of an injury or serious infection, they may need to be removed. We always look at ways to save teeth, but when decay is causing pain and toothache, an extraction is usually preferable. Sometimes, it is the best way to prevent infection spreading to other teeth, or they may be chipped or damaged beyond repair.

If a baby tooth is impacted it means it cannot break through the surface of the gums and this can happen for several reasons, including overcrowding in the mouth or if the tooth is trying to come in from the wrong angle.

Another reason why baby teeth may need to be extracted is when they haven’t fallen out naturally and the child’s adult teeth have started to come in. It is essential that there is nothing that hinders the proper placement of your permanent teeth.

Before the procedure, there will be a consultation with the dentist to check your child’s suitability for a tooth extraction and to ensure that you are fully informed why it’s been recommended. We will also carry out an X-ray which allows your dentist to visualise the full state of the tooth, its roots and its position in the jawbone.

They will go through the options for making the tooth extraction easier. Typically, extracting a baby tooth is much more straightforward than removing a permanent tooth. For most patients, we can use local anaesthesia which is injected into the child’s mouth to numb the area and make it as pain-free as possible.

If your child is very anxious or it is a more challenging procedure to remove the tooth, we can offer General Anaesthetic for surgical extractions, such as when the tooth is fully or partly embedded in the jaw.

Our dentist will work with you to determine the best procedure for your child, and to prepare you both for what to expect. After an extraction, with proper and gentle care, you can expect a quick recovery.

Please make an appointment if you’d like to find out more about children’s teeth extractions.