6 Ways to Help Your Child Recover from Tooth Extraction

Hearing that your child needs a tooth extraction can feel stressful, but it’s a common and safe dental procedure. Whether the tooth was removed due to severe decay, crowding, or infection, proper aftercare plays a major role in ensuring a smooth and comfortable recovery. Knowing what to expect and how to support your child at home can make the healing process much easier.

1. Manage Bleeding Properly

After a tooth extraction, it’s normal for mild bleeding to occur for several hours. Your child’s dentist will place gauze over the extraction site and ask your child to gently bite down to help form a blood clot. Encourage your child to keep steady pressure on the gauze and avoid talking or chewing during this time.

If bleeding continues, replace the gauze with clean, damp gauze and have your child bite down again. Avoid frequent checking, as this can disturb the clot and prolong bleeding.

2. Control Pain and Swelling

Mild discomfort and swelling are common after an extraction. Over-the-counter pain relievers recommended by your dentist can help manage soreness. Always follow dosing instructions carefully and avoid giving medications not approved for children.

Applying a cold compress to the outside of your child’s cheek for 10–15 minutes at a time during the first 24 hours can reduce swelling and ease discomfort. Swelling typically peaks within the first couple of days and gradually improves.

3. Encourage Rest and Limited Activity

Children are naturally active, but rest is important after a tooth extraction. Strenuous activity can increase blood flow and disrupt the clot at the extraction site, potentially leading to complications.

Encourage quiet activities such as reading, watching movies, or playing calm games for the first day or two. Giving the body time to heal helps prevent unnecessary discomfort and promotes faster recovery.

4. Offer Soft, Easy-to-Eat Foods

After an extraction, your child’s mouth may feel tender. Provide soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow, such as yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, smoothies, and soups (cooled to lukewarm).

Avoid hard, crunchy, spicy, or sticky foods that could irritate the extraction site. Using a spoon rather than a straw is important, as sucking through a straw can dislodge the clot and delay healing.

5. Maintain Gentle Oral Hygiene

Keeping the mouth clean supports proper healing but brushing near the extraction site should be done carefully. Your child can continue brushing and flossing the other teeth normally, while avoiding direct contact with the extraction area for the first day.

After 24 hours, gentle saltwater rinses can help keep the area clean and reduce bacteria. Avoid vigorous rinsing, which can disturb the healing process.

6. Watch for Signs of Complications

While most extractions heal without issue, monitor your child for signs such as persistent severe pain, swelling that worsens after a few days, fever, or unusual discharge from the site. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your dentist promptly.

Tooth extraction recovery is usually quick and manageable with proper care. By managing bleeding, controlling discomfort, encouraging rest, providing soft foods, maintaining gentle hygiene, and monitoring for concerns, you can help your child heal comfortably and confidently. With your support, they’ll be back to smiling in no time.

About the Author

Dr. Allen Pearson opened Wylie Children’s Dentistry in 2003, and for more than 20 years has provided thousands of children with quality dental treatment. He is a board-certified pediatric dentist and earned his dental degree from the Creighton University School of Dentistry before completing a one-year General Practice Residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Today, Dr. Pearson is active in the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association, among others. If your child needs a tooth extracted, book your appointment online or call (972) 429-7070.