What to Know About Your Child’s Root Canal

Here at Piedmont Pediatric Dentistry, we know how important baby teeth are and we do all we can to make sure that these teeth are kept healthy and intact. While there are some instances when baby teeth will need to be extracted, we’ll try to save baby teeth through root canal therapy whenever possible.

Reasons for Pediatric Root Canals

If your child is suffering from a tooth that has extensive decay or infection, root canal therapy may be needed. Some of the symptoms of these problems include tooth sensitivity, cracking or chipping of a tooth, or a fever. Once infection reaches the center of the tooth, known as the pulp, the pulp will need to be removed and a dental crown will be placed over the tooth to protect it from further damage.

Adult Root Canal vs. Pediatric Root Canal

Root canals performed on baby teeth are quicker and less painful than adult root canals. This is because only the infected pulp on the surface of the nerve structure is removed, which means our dentist won’t need special instruments to remove the pulp. Once the procedure is finished, a crown is placed over the tooth to protect it and restore its strength. This crown will not affect the incoming adult tooth.

To decrease the risk that your child will need to undergo a pediatric root canal, it’s important to understand and practice good oral hygiene habits. This includes brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing every day, and visiting Piedmont Pediatric Dentistry every six months for a dental cleaning and a checkup. If your child still experiences pain and irritation of the affected tooth after the root canal therapy, please contact our office immediately.

For more information or to make an appointment for your child at our dental office, please contact Piedmont Pediatric Dentistry located here in Greensboro, North Carolina. We know that the best way to prevent childhood root canals is by making sure your child visits our office regularly.