Is it Necessary to Use Anesthetic for Extracting Deciduous Teeth?

Milk teeth are the first set of teeth to erupt in our mouths, and they are eventually replaced by the second set of teeth as they fall out. Milk teeth are prone to various issues, and if they fail to fall out naturally during the tooth replacement period, they may need to be extracted manually. Although extracting milk teeth may sound painful, even for children with small teeth, there are concerns about causing severe discomfort during the procedure. So, do we need to use anesthetics when extracting milk teeth? Let's explore this further.

Whether anesthetics are needed for milk teeth extraction depends on specific circumstances. If the child is older and can cooperate with the anesthesia, and the roots of the milk teeth have not been fully absorbed, with the milk teeth still relatively stable, and normal permanent teeth have already erupted on the tongue and palate sides of the milk teeth, then anesthetics are necessary during extraction. After the anesthetic takes effect, the child will not feel pain and can cooperate with the extraction process without leaving any psychological trauma. However, if the child is very young and cannot cooperate with anesthesia, and the milk teeth are already very loose and ready to fall out, anesthetics may not be necessary as the pain from the anesthetic injection itself may be more uncomfortable for the child. In such cases, the loose milk teeth can be removed directly using dental instruments or hemostatic forceps, providing immediate relief to the child without further pain.

Firstly, after milk teeth extraction, the child should bite on a gauze for 30 minutes, avoiding talking or swallowing saliva. This helps stop bleeding. It's important not to lick the blood clot or suck on the wound to prevent further pain, bleeding, and the risk of infection or inflammation. After 30 minutes, check if the wound has stopped bleeding. Secondly, dietary considerations are crucial after extraction. Hot and greasy foods should be avoided as they can interfere with wound healing. If there is mild swelling or pain, ice packs or cold drinks can be used to alleviate discomfort. Comprehensive care is essential to ensure better recovery of the wound after tooth extraction. Finally, it's normal to see white substances on the wound a few days after extraction. There's no need to panic; maintaining good oral hygiene is sufficient. Before the wound fully recovers, brushing should be gentle, and rinsing with water before and after meals is recommended. Avoiding excessive stress and maintaining a positive attitude is beneficial for the child's recovery.