Tooth extractions for kids are not always the first choice, but they can be the best option when other treatments aren’t possible. Here are common situations where a pediatric dentist in Las Vegas may recommend removing a tooth:
- Severe decay that cannot be repaired with a filling or crown.
When cavities are too advanced, the tooth may need to be removed to stop pain and prevent infection from spreading.
- Crowding issues before orthodontic treatment.
Sometimes extractions are needed to create enough space for braces or aligners to work effectively.
- Stubborn baby teeth that won’t fall out on their own.
Retained baby teeth can block permanent teeth from erupting properly, causing misalignment.
- Infected or abscessed teeth causing pain.
An untreated infection can impact your child’s health, making safe removal the best course of action.
Before a pediatric extraction, preparation helps ensure your child feels safe and parents feel informed. At Desert Kids Dental in Las Vegas, Dr. Sandra Thompson and her team take the time to walk families through every step.
- Dental exam and X-rays to confirm which tooth needs removal.
The dentist will carefully evaluate your child’s mouth and use digital X-rays to determine the exact location and condition of the tooth. This helps ensure that only the problem tooth is removed and that the surrounding teeth and gums remain healthy.
- Discussion with parents about the procedure, aftercare, and sedation options.
Every child is different, so the dentist will explain the procedure in simple terms, review sedation choices such as nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) or local anesthesia, and outline what parents can expect after the appointment.
- Review of your child’s medical history to ensure a safe treatment plan.
The dental team will check for allergies, current medications, or any medical conditions that may affect treatment. This step ensures the extraction is done safely and comfortably.
The first step of a pediatric tooth extraction is making sure your child is comfortable and doesn’t feel pain. At Desert Kids Dental in Las Vegas, Dr. Sandra Thompson and her team focus on gentle care and reassurance throughout this stage.
- Local anesthesia applied to keep the area pain-free.
A small amount of numbing medication is placed around the tooth so your child won’t feel pain during the procedure. The area becomes completely numb within a few minutes.
- Option for nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to keep the child calm.
For kids who are nervous or anxious, nitrous oxide may be offered. This safe, mild sedative helps your child feel relaxed while staying awake and responsive.
- Explanation of what your child will feel (pressure, not pain).
The dentist will explain in kid-friendly terms that they may feel some pressure, but no pain. This helps reduce fear and builds trust between your child and the dental team.
Once the area is fully numb, the dentist begins gently loosening the tooth to prepare for removal. At Desert Kids Dental in Las Vegas, this step is done slowly and carefully to ensure comfort.
- Dentist gently loosens the tooth using special instruments.
Using pediatric-sized dental tools, the dentist carefully moves the tooth back and forth to separate it from the surrounding gum and bone.
- For baby teeth, this process is usually very quick.
Because baby teeth have smaller roots, they typically come loose with minimal effort, making the extraction fast and stress-free.
- Constant reassurance to keep your child relaxed.
Throughout the process, the dental team provides calm encouragement, helping your child feel safe and supported until the tooth is ready to come out.
Once the tooth is fully loosened, the dentist carefully removes it in a quick and controlled motion. At Desert Kids Dental in Las Vegas, the priority is to make this step as smooth and comfortable as possible.
- Tooth is carefully removed with minimal discomfort.
Thanks to the numbing medication, your child will not feel pain—only slight pressure as the tooth is lifted out.
- Gauze is placed over the site to control bleeding.
A soft piece of gauze is gently placed where the tooth was removed. This helps absorb any bleeding and encourages a blood clot to form, which is an important part of healing.
- Dentist checks for any remaining tooth fragments or infection.
After removal, the dentist carefully examines the site to make sure the area is clean and free of fragments or signs of infection before moving on to aftercare.
After the tooth has been removed, proper aftercare ensures your child heals quickly and comfortably. At Desert Kids Dental in Las Vegas, families receive clear instructions to make recovery stress-free.
- Bite on gauze for 20–30 minutes to stop bleeding.
Keeping gentle pressure on the gauze helps form a protective blood clot and reduces bleeding.
- Ice pack recommended to reduce swelling.
Applying a cold compress on the outside of the cheek in short intervals can help with swelling and keep your child comfortable.
- Soft-food diet for the first day.
Smooth foods like yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and soups are best to avoid irritating the extraction site.
- Over-the-counter pain relief as advised by the dentist.
If your child experiences mild soreness, the dentist may recommend age-appropriate pain relievers to keep them comfortable.
Most children recover from a tooth extraction fairly quickly, but monitoring healing at home and keeping up with follow-up visits ensures the best outcome. At Desert Kids Dental in Las Vegas, Dr. Sandra Thompson and her team guide parents through each step of recovery.
- Typical healing time is a few days to a week.
Children usually bounce back quickly, with most soreness fading within a couple of days. The extraction site should look noticeably better within a week.
- Signs to watch for: excessive bleeding, swelling, or fever.
While mild discomfort is normal, parents should contact a pediatric dentist right away if they notice unusual symptoms, such as heavy bleeding, increased swelling, pus, or fever.
- Schedule follow-up to monitor healing and discuss future dental care.
A follow-up visit allows the dentist to confirm proper healing and, if needed, plan for orthodontic care or other treatments to support long-term oral health.
Reviewed by Dr. Sandra Thompson, board-certified pediatric dentist. Dr. Thompson studied at UC Berkeley, UNLV School of Dental Medicine, and completed her residency in pediatric dentistry at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.