The day of their procedure, avoid cleaning the teeth next to the healing tooth socket. However, floss and brush your child’s other teeth thoroughly. Your child can clean the teeth next to the healing tooth socket the next day. We also recommend making sure they clean their tongue. This helps to eliminate the unpleasant tastes and bad breath that are common after a tooth extraction.

To keep food out of the extraction site, in the days following the extraction procedure, have your child gently rinse their mouth with warm salt water after meals. Make sure they do not rinse their mouth too vigorously, as this may dislodge the blood clot. Choosing oral hygiene products that carry the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance ensures it meets the ADA’s criteria for safety and effectiveness.