When a little smile develops a painful dental infection, then we recommend treatment right away. What starts as an aching tooth could eventually mean the loss of a tooth, and even the risk of dental misalignment. In today’s blog, your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist talks about our approach to pulpotomies.
The Cause of Dental Infections
Each of your child’s teeth contain several layers. The outermost is the protective enamel, the inner dentin makes up most of the tooth structure, and the pulp at the very center is the nerve center. So, when a cavity or injury exposes bacteria to the pulp, a tooth becomes infected. This means serious discomfort and the risk of tooth loss! Causes could include injury to the tooth, teeth grinding, or an untreated cavity caused by poor oral hygiene. Common symptoms your child may experience include pain when biting down or chewing, toothaches, sensitivity when drinking, headaches, jaw pain, facial aches, swelling near the tooth, or even a discharge from it. When your child experiences one or more of these possible symptoms, bring them in right away for treatment.
The Pulpotomy Treatment
Our team will examine the smile to assess the cause and extent of the infection. In many cases we can offer relief with a root canal alternative known as a pulpotomy. Our team will first numb the tooth to keep your child comfortable, and we could suggest sedation for those with anxiety. We then open the tooth to remove the infected portions of the tooth. We provide a medicated material and then cap the tooth with a crown, which can be made from lifelike materials like zirconia, blending with the smile. The process takes one visit and stops discomfort, and prevents the loss of the tooth.
Preventing Further Trouble
With a checkup and cleaning every six months, we can keep an eye on the smile and then treat the early stages of trouble, often placing a filling to treat a cavity instead of a pulpotomy to treat an infection. At home, you should make sure they brush and floss daily, and try to limit how many sugary foods and drinks they consume. These same actions also help fight cavities and gingivitis too! If you have any questions about preventing or treating an infected tooth or a cavity, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help your kids enjoy good oral health for years to come!
See Your Shirley, NY, Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentist
Our team wants to help prevent the premature loss of your child’s baby teeth. To learn more about our approach to restorative dentistry, then contact Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY, by calling (631) 399-1600.
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