Shirley, NY, Tooth Infection

It can break your heart to see your little one experience chronic tooth pain. When your child lets you know about an ache, call us right away. This common symptom often indicates an infection within the inner pulp of the tooth. Without treatment, a tooth infection could enter the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body. But by relying upon modern imagining techniques, we can determine if any foreign material is present inside their tooth’s structure. We are often able to preserve the healthy portion of a child’s pulp with a procedure called pulpotomy. This alternative to traditional root canal therapy provides the same correction against bacterial infection with less lost material.

At your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist, we pride ourselves on comforting young children in their time of need. This is why we provide emergency services outside of standard checkup schedules when threats like infection are present. Because a kid’s smile is still developing, preserving their baby tooth until it is the appropriate time to fall out is critical to promoting healthy jaw growth. This is why we do not recommend simply pulling a child’s infected tooth when other procedures are available.

When A Child’s Tooth Develops Infection

How do bacteria enter the pulp of a child’s tooth? When the tooth is healthy, its outer enamel layer protects it from the thousands of strains of bacteria that live within the mouth. However, any physical or chemical damage that wears the surface of the tooth compromises this protective seal. This is why it is critical to report any injury to a child’s smile no matter how superficial it may appear. The smallest crack or chip could expose the tooth to the potential for infection. By bringing your little one in for an inspection, we can determine if a dental bond or crown is needed to repair their injury.

Relief For A Child’s Tooth Infection

When seeking endodontic therapy for your little one, we can provide an alternative to a traditional root canal. Root canals remove the entirety of your little one’s tooth’s nerve and pulp to ensure that all foreign material is clear. With a pulpotomy, we preserve the healthy remaining portion of the pulp. This leads to a reduction in the body’s inflammatory response, relieving swelling against a sensitive dental nerve. Because this procedure permanently alters the outside of the tooth’s surface, we design restorations to complete your child’s bite after their pulpotomy.

Talk To Your Shirley, NY, Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentist About Endodontic Treatment For Your Child’s Tooth Infection

We provide emergency care for children who experience painful tooth infections. To find out more about removing oral bacteria with a pulpotomy, contact Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY, by calling (631) 399-1600.