A Root Canal For Kids With Infected Teeth

Posted February 11, 2022

When a child has pain during meals, or a chronic toothache, then an infection or severe case of tooth decay could be responsible. To avoid premature tooth loss and increased discomfort, then your child may benefit from treatment. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about our root canal alternative, the pulpotomy.

The Causes of a Dental Infection

How does a child develop an infected tooth? The infection means that harmful bacteria has come into contact with a tooth’s inner pulp, the nerve center that is surrounded by dentin and protected by the outer enamel. This could occur due to untreated tooth decay, which will continue to grow and spread without treatment. An injury that exposes the tooth could be a factor too. Your little one could experience discomfort when eating, a discharge from the tooth, swelling, and tooth sensitivity and toothaches. When your child reports pain in a tooth, please let us know right away!

The Pulpotomy Procedure

We will carefully examine your child’s smile to look for the presence of a cavity or infection. If we find an area that needs more than a filling, we will administer a local anesthetic, and discuss sedation to help your child remain calm and relaxed throughout the procedure. Next, we open the tooth to remove the infected portions of the inner tissues. We then add a special medicated filling. A crown is then attached, which protects the tooth structure. For the side and rear teeth, this could be made from stainless steel. For more front-facing teeth, we could use materials like ceramic to offer a more natural appearance.

Steps to Lower the Risk of Infection

Steps can be taken to prevent the onset of a cavity or infection. For example, make sure your child attends checkups every six months, so we can watch for the earliest signs of trouble, and also clean the teeth, removing harmful buildup. At home, help your little one brush twice a day with a rice-sized bit of fluoride toothpaste. This should happen in the morning and at night. Kids also need to floss every evening too! A diet that is low in sugar and starch is also helpful. If you have any questions about our pulpotomy procedure, or if you would like to schedule a visit with our team, then contact our team today. We want to help your kids enjoy healthy and comfortable smiles for years to come!

Your Dallas, TX, Pediatric Dentist Talks About Safeguarding Smiles

Our team wants to help kids of all ages avoid discomfort and tooth loss. If you would like to set up an appointment with us, then contact your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist, Dr. Marr, by calling (214) 321-4880.