Ever had a child’s tooth removed? Reassurance please (if possible)

[Flissty]

Hello,
My 14 year old has to have two adult teeth removed as part of his orthodontic work, as his mouth is overcrowded.

He has never had a bad experience at the dentist, he’s never previously needed any work doing. I am really anxious that it’s going to be completely awful and distressing for him.

Has anyone been through this and can give me some reassurance or realistic information about what to expect?

I’d be really grateful and thanks in advance,
Flissty

DD (age 15) had 4 teeth out recently for the same reason.

They will do a couple of injections into his gums around the site of the tooth to be pulled. DD said that was the worst bit as they hold the needle in there for a bit before removing it and obviously it does hurt a bit going in. Then they have to wait a bit until the anaesthetic takes effect.

Then they will pull the tooth out - DD said that didn’t hurt but she felt some tugging.

DD didn’t have all 4 out at the same time - they did one side of her mouth at one appointment and the other side a month later. This was good as it meant she always had one side of her mouth that wasn’t sore so she could chew that side. Worth asking if they can do the same for your DS (if applicable).

It was then sore for the rest of the day, and she felt like she had a very fat lip for the few hours until the anaesthetic wore off - she didn’t, she looked fine, but she felt very self conscious.

She was able to eat the same day though, just had to be careful and rinse her mouth afterwards. She was fine after that and said it didn’t really hurts after that first day.

She then had to do salt water rinses twice a day for the next couple of weeks until it fully healed.

Overall it was nowhere near as bad/painful as I had expected it to be.

Thank you @ChessieFL, that detail was extremely helpful. Really appreciate your time x

It’s extremely common for teenagers to have teeth extracted for orthodontic work. I would focus on managing your anxiety so your DC doesn’t pick up on it.

I had four adult teeth out aged about 9. Not all at the same time. It was nowhere near as bad as I expected. The injection(s) were quick and not particularly painful. Then you wait until everything is really numb. The extraction was painless although I could feel pulling and pushing. I remember that they explained to me that they push down hard and twist first, to loosen the root first before pulling. Then the tooth comes out easily. There was some blood but it wasn't distressing and aftercare was uneventful. Chocolate icecream as soon as allowed is obligatory.

I also want to let you know that decades later is it absolutely clear that this was really worthwhile. My wisdom teeth all came through very easily at a young age and I haven't suffered the nasty problems some of my friends have had due to overcrowded mouths.

I had 4 teeth out aged about 12 for the same reason. It was fine. The dentist for some reason decided to take out 1 at the first appointment and then 3 the next time. I would say don’t do this! As there was no easy side to eat on afterwards!

The dentist was very kind to me - like your son I had never had anything more than a checkup before. He’ll be fine, just get some soft food in for afterwards and make sure he keeps it clean, but also try and leave it alone to heal!

My son also had a tooth out a couple of years ago when he was 7. His was a front one though and it was an ‘extra’ tooth. It was called a sub-something or other and was in the way of his actual tooth coming through. He surprised me with how little fuss he made. I was able to hold his hand in the injection, but had to sit to the side for the actual removal! Again, it was sore the next couple of days, but soon settled down.

I can remember having 2 teeth pulled. The injections sting a bit but the actual pulling out is fine, it's a bit odd I remember a weird creaking sensation.

My DD had 4 out last year before she got her braces and she completely took it in her stride. She didn't find it painful, just a bit uncomfortable. I think the part she didn't like the most was the gaps left behind after and being careful when she ate in the few days after.

All four of my children have had to have teeth out as part of their orthodontic treatments; I had to have 6 out, and subsequently my wisdom teeth.

My youngest had to have a GA for his earlier this year, as the extractions were quite difficult, but the others all had them done in the dentist chair. All fine - just have lots of ice cream, soup and yoghurt in the house for the few days afterwards when their mouths are sore!

I had 4 of mine removed over 2 visits for braces, although I was a little older. Unfortunately the first visit, the anaesthetic hadn’t kicked in fully so it was a little uncomfortable, but the second visit was fine.

You can feel a little tugging, but I took headphones and listened to some music for a bit of distraction.

I didn’t like the cracking noise so maybe headphones? My wisdom tooth recently was 35 seconds to remove! So very quick, just sitting around before and after really, didn’t need painkillers after either

Oh he’s 14! Thought you were going to say primary age!

he’ll be fine. Dc had one removed before braces and it was no issue. Other dc was supposed to have two but due to the mess the teeth were in they straightened them up first as they didn’t want to leave gaps.

i had countless teeth out as a child. For some reason the approach then seemed to be pull all the teeth out and hope it makes room for the rest. It was not pleasant and probably completely unnecessary, they pulled loads of baby teeth then a few of the secondary as well.

i learned to hate the general anaesthetic, local is much better. Got a decent dentist as an adult and have had wisdom teeth out. It’ll be fine.

be aware that a mouth guard has to be worn for life after braces

I had braces from 14-18 and have never had to wear any sort of mouth guard.

it is a night time mouth guard, recommended to be worn for life

I had this done at about 12 - I think I had 4 out. Looking back I'm surprised I wasn't more scared / traumatised by it but it barely registered really. My parents were very laid back about it all which probably helped. I didn't really think it was a big deal. As others have said it's a bit of a strange pulling / cracking sensation but not painful as such. Plenty of ice cream afterwards helped!

@OfDragonsDeep @EleanorReally

this seems to depend on age and dentist / location.

it wasn't suggested to me - 50+ years ago
my dd was given one, for a year and that was it. and that was 10 ish years ago.

and I suppose if I actually think about it, it may depend on the teeth.

I wasn't given one for more than a year - and my teeth have all moved back - which is gutting after YEARS of painful treatment, including headgear etc. I had my treatment in my mid to late teens and am 50+ now

My children all have night time retainers and have been told that they should wear them every night (forever).

It’s not really a “mouth guard”, it’s a retainer.

it is like a plastic Invisalign tray that sits over the teeth and just stops them moving back.

both my dc also have permanent wires on the back of their front teeth, also to stop them moving back.

Thanks everyone who shared their experiences, this was really helpful. I feel really informed and reassured so thanks a lot for taking the time.

I’ve had a tooth removed and so has my daughter although hers was done with laughing gas. Is that an option at your surgery? The dentist described as more of a wiggling than a pulling and that in his experience the tooth is always out in less than a minute. He was absolutely right, in fact it was seconds! She’s only ten though, so a smaller tooth, but it was all very relaxing and non traumatic.
I had mine out the usual way and I have to say it was very easy as well! Injection to numb the area is probably the ‘worst’ part although it’s only it’s only a very slight pricking sensation and a few seconds discomfort while they release the anaesthetic. They will put numbing gel on before that so it’s really not bad at all. The actual removal was a total cinch. A bit of tugging, no pain at all, and it was out.
He will need to follow the aftercare instructions which help it heal properly but I really just involves not disturbing the area too much so it can clot properly and rinsing with salt water after a certain time has passed. Might need a little pain relief once the anaesthetic wears off. Honestly he’ll be fine. Not as traumatic as you think

If it’s teeth near the front they only have one root and pull out really easily. Literally one tiny tug each and mine were out for my braces. The ones at the back though, molars, have more roots and take morewiggling and pulling. I don’t like getting them out.

mine had 4 removed before braces fitted. Dentist was kind and patient, did a tooth at a time (2 weeks apart).
one tooth was a bit of a nightmare to get out and I remember thinking I’d not have gone back but really didn’t have a choice but to.
bit nervous the first time, after that went each time without issue.

The way I dealt with it was it was necessary pain for long term gain and after a few hours each time that was it over with.

15months in to braces and teeth are looking amazing 🤩 will be off no later than March next year!

I had to have two adult teeth removed when I was about the same age - same reason. It was straightforward.

DD had to have several before having braces fitted but because of the way they were sitting they were done under GA in the local hospital’s maxilofacial unit. Even with that she was done and dusted in ~40 minutes.

She wasn’t phased by the GA but did find the bloody mouth a bit upsetting, chocolate ice cream sorted that. As others have said, she had to do the salt water rinses twice / three times a day until her mouth healed but it was fine after.

And also - she wasn’t given a permanent night guard but has recently said that she wishes she had been as even though it’s only been 7 or so years since she finished with the braces she feels her teeth have moved back, so it is worth asking about one.

I had a lot of work done in the 1980s and was given a night guard which I wore for a couple of years after the treatment but then stopped, and I really wish I’d continued.

Good luck.

I didn't get a mouthguard and - unfortunately - my bottom teeth reverted to being crooked. (NHS dentist, Fife - the 1970s.)