Why it May be Important for Your Child to Get a Root Canal in Michigan City

You just got the news—your dentist is recommending for your child to undergo root canal therapy. How can this be? Keeping their baby teeth could be just as important as saving their adult teeth and losing them early could affect your child’s speech and ability to chew along with other important functions. Read on to understand why your child needs a root canal in Michigan City to save their smile and protect their future oral health.

Why Would My Child Need a Root Canal?

Every tooth has a protective coating of enamel on the surface. But when your child gets hit in the mouth with a ball or on the playground, this can cause damage to their interior pulp. The physical injury exposes their inner tooth pulp to bacteria which can cause infection and decay. The pulp is packed full of nerves, blood vessels, and tissue which are all vital in tooth growth. Because of all of the nerves that exist in your pulp, damage can cause intense amounts of pain.  For this reason, a serious cavity that isn’t treated can also be painful.

How do I Tell if My Child Needs a Root Canal?

Some common symptoms that your child may have in response to pulp damage include sensitivity to hot or cold and throbbing pain. When you take your child to visit their dentist, they will assess their discomfort and determine if the infection has spread out of the tooth and into the jawbone. Your dentist will also take X-rays to see if anything is affecting your child’s oral health below their gum. Once the diagnostic process is complete, they will let you know if treatment is necessary.

Oftentimes, root canals are performed in-office. The surrounding area of the tooth will be numbed, and they will be placed under anesthesia. Before the root canal takes place, the dentist will isolate their tooth to prevent contamination once the pulp is removed. They will access and clear the pulp chamber, and then disinfect it with antibacterial solutions. After everything is cleared and cleaned, they will fill the now-empty pulp chamber and seal off the small hole leftover from the treatment. Once the root canal is completed, they will place a crown on the tooth to prevent decay.

If your child is too young to accommodate the full treatment of a root canal, your dentist may recommend a pulpotomy. This is when they remove only a portion of the inner pulp instead of all of it. It can only be done if the infection hasn’t reached the tooth’s root yet. It’s a less invasive treatment that doesn’t require shaping or a filling afterwards.

Why Is It Important That My Child Gets a Root Canal?

Saving a baby tooth can be as important as saving a permanent adult tooth. When your child loses a tooth prematurely, it can affect the way they speak, chew, and how their adult teeth grow in. Each small tooth holds the space for an adult tooth to grow in, so if the small tooth falls out too early, the other teeth will shift to fill that position. This affects their permanent teeth’s alignment.

A good way to avoid your child getting a root canal is to establish good hygiene routines, keep up with their semi-annual checkups, and use mouthguards when playing sports. Children’s dental health is vital in protecting their future.

About the Practice

At Edgewood Dental, Drs. Valerie Haughtington and Vidas Noreika are passionate about providing their patients with skilled and gentle care. Comfort is of the utmost importance so you can receive quality treatment free from all the stress. They strive to create a compassionate and individualized experience for your whole family and enjoy making younger patients feel right at home. For any questions or more information, visit our website or contact us at 219-728-4883.