Baby teeth extractions – Ask your North Brisbane Dentist!
Baby Teeth Extractions – How to Deal With Them
In short: Baby teeth are sometimes removed because of decay, infection or crowding. Preparing your child calmly at home makes the appointment easier, aftercare is straightforward, and a space maintainer may be needed if the tooth is lost early. Eligible children aged 0–17 are bulk billed under Medicare’s CDBS.
Kids love to run, jump and play, and in doing so sometimes miss taking care of their dental health. Despite our best efforts, we see children’s teeth develop cavities that go unnoticed because there are no symptoms early on. Seeing a dentist regularly — usually every six to twelve months, depending on your child’s risk — helps pick these problems up before they become painful.
How to Avoid Stressful Situations
Dealing with an upset child is stressful for everyone. This is why it helps to build the habit of regular check-ups and cleans early. If a baby tooth does need to come out, a child who already knows the practice, the room and the team will find the visit far easier than one arriving for the first time in pain.
Preparing Your Child at Home
Use simple words
Talk it through at home in a gentle way, using terms your child already understands. Avoid clinical language and avoid words that sound alarming.
Be honest
Do not promise it will be painless. A comparison such as “it will feel like a mozzie bite” sets a realistic expectation and keeps your child’s trust.
If more support is needed
Some children need treatment in hospital under general anaesthesia, usually with a paediatric dental specialist (pedodontist). We can discuss a referral if that is the right path.
Aftercare Following the Extraction
Caring for the extraction socket is not very different from an adult extraction.
Cold compress
An ice pack held against the cheek helps reduce swelling and discomfort in the first few hours.
Quiet activity
Keep your child indoors for the rest of the day and avoid running, sport and strenuous play.
Pain relief
Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used if your child has no allergy or other reason to avoid them. Follow the packet dosage for their age and weight, and check with us or your pharmacist if unsure.
When to call us
Contact us if bleeding does not settle, if swelling increases after the first day, or if pain worsens rather than eases.
Do Baby Teeth Need Replacing?
If a baby tooth is lost early, neighbouring baby teeth and adult teeth can drift into the gap, closing the space the adult tooth needs and causing crowding or misalignment. A custom-made space maintainer can be fitted into the gap and left in place until the successor adult tooth erupts. We will let you know at the appointment whether one is likely to be needed.
What Do Kids’ Dental Visits Cost?
Eligible children aged 0–17 are bulk billed at Sandgate Bayside Dental under Medicare’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), which provides up to $1,158 in benefits pooled over two calendar years. We bulk bill all eligible services, so there is no gap to pay.
Call us on 3269 2443 with your Medicare card details, or visit the practice and one of our reception team members can check your child’s eligibility and remaining balance. For general children’s appointments, see our children’s dentist in Sandgate page.
Book Your Child’s Appointment
Gentle care for children across Sandgate, Brighton, Deagon, Bracken Ridge and North Brisbane.