Your child may need a tooth extracted due to decay or as part of orthodontic treatment. Teens often have their third molars, commonly called wisdom teeth, extracted. The amount of post-operative pain that he experiences depends in part on whether the tooth extracted was a baby tooth or a permanent tooth and whether the tooth was infected or impacted. You can treat your child's pain at home unless it becomes severe or you are concerned about the possibility of an infection or other complication.
The First Hours
Your child's dentist will have used a local anesthetic to eliminate feeling in the area of the extraction, so your child probably will not feel any pain for several hours after the procedure. Applying ice to the area will reduce swelling and may reduce pain afterward. Ask the dentist whether you should administer an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, before the local anesthetic wears off. In many cases, this is enough to ward off pain after an extraction.
Post-Op Care
For the first few days after the procedure, your child may have some residual soreness and tenderness in the area. Follow the dentist's instructions when it comes to resuming brushing and flossing in the area and dispensing medication. Giving your child soft, cool foods such as yogurt, pudding and applesauce for the first day or two can soothe her discomfort. Avoid hot, spicy, crunchy or sticky foods for up to a week after the extraction.
Dry Socket
Your child's pain should get better as the days pass after his extraction. If, after a couple of days, the pain seems to be getting worse, he may have dislodged the blood clot that formed in the space left by the extraction. This is called a dry socket, and can be caused by sucking through a straw, strenuous activity or a bacterial contamination of the area. Symptoms of a dry socket include severe pain radiating to the ear, eye or neck, foul breath and a bad taste in the mouth. Your child's dentist can treat it quickly in the office, so bring him in promptly if you suspect this type of complication.
Infection
Another cause of moderate to severe pain after an extraction is a bacterial infection. If the tooth that was extracted caused an infection, your child's dentist may have given her an antibiotic. Be sure that she takes every dose of the antibiotic until it is finished, even if she is feeling better before the course is over. Stopping too soon can allow the infection to return. Symptoms of an infection include a fever and swelling that gets worse instead of better. If you think your child has an infection, take her to the dentist right away for treatment and pain medication, if necessary.
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