DS has a permanent tooth literally growing out the side of his gum (one of his top canine teeth). My wisdom teeth did the same thing, and so did my Dad's, so this runs in the family!

Anyways, at a recent dental checkup, the Dentist told me that the permanent tooth coming in is what causes the baby tooth to become loose and then eventually fall out. But because DS's permanent tooth decided to detour out the side of his gum, there is nothing that will push this particular baby tooth out of the way, and the baby tooth will just stay there. Hence, the Dentist recommended that the baby tooth be pulled.

Has anyone had to have their DKs baby teeth pulled? How does it all work? Does the Dentist give them a shot of novacaine or a topical ointment to numb the area? How long afterwards do the kids "suffer" or is there not much pain because it was a baby tooth? DS is 10 years old.

Any experiences would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks a bunch!

By Kate on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 07:40 pm:

My daughter doesn't normally 'lose' teeth, either. It's a royal pain!!! She has THREE right now that will need 'help' in coming out as the permanent teeth are happily taking up residence with the baby teeth. Her perms come down on top of the babies, but the babies still don't detach, instead they glom on elsewhere and are only partially lose. One baby has been completely broken in half! But they hold on tight! Her upper teeth look completely bizarre if she opens wide and you look in! So far we've only had one other removed, and it was quite loose, only holding on on one side. She had numbing gel applied and then it was pulled out. She had no pain afterwards. How tight is his baby tooth right now? Is it loose at all? If it's already pulled away from any of the sides, the dentist can probably use the numbing gel and gently work it free. If it's anchored in tightly, I imagine it's more like a real extraction. And it's expensive...unless you've already met your deductible.

By Conni on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 09:25 pm:

Yes, both my older boys had to have baby teeth pulled at $30 bucks per tooth I became the nagging mother. LOL Wiggle your teeth or I will do it for you! HA They both had permanent teeth grow in behind baby teeth and sideways, etc...

The actually pulling of the baby teeth was not a big deal at all really. They use the topical and if I remember right they gave them a shot. They are outside playing and I am enjoying my peace and quiet too much to get up and go ask. Bradley had 3 pulled in one day, one time. He wasnt bothered by it for very long at all. The mouth heals fast.

By Tarable on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 09:34 am:

My oldest DD had one pulled not that long ago for a few different reasons. Mainly it would be falling out soon and it had a cavity, so the dentist said it would be cheaper to just pull it than to try to fill it and all that. So we had it pulled and the only thing my DD ever complained about was her mouth being numb. But I gave her some advil right after we left just in case it started bugging her later. She was outside playing as soon as the numbness wore off. They did a topical numb and then a shot since the tooth was not loose yet.

Good Luck. Make sure they explain exactly what they are going to do to her so she knows what to expect.

By Tarable on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 09:34 am:

Oops.. i meant him. Sorry.

By Marcia on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 09:37 am:

My daughter had to have 5 permanent teeth pulled when she was 8, before they could start orthodontic work on her. She had all of her teeth very early. She had 5 pulled in one day, and she still went out that night. It didn't bother her at all, after the initial bleeding stopped.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 09:43 am:

Emily had one baby tooth, that just wasn't letting go. The dentist told her to keep working on it. Eventually, she really did follow the advice and got the tooth to fall out on it's own, but that particular tooth needed a lot of assistance. About 6 months or so, she had finally gotten that one out. I guess I didn't realize that baby teeth could be so stubborn.

By Crystal915 on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 11:19 am:

I had baby teeth pulled, with novacaine, and the healing really only takes a couple days. One day of rest and soft foods, and a couple more of Motrin, and it's all done.