Growing up, you may have heard some nasty stories about root canals and tooth pain. In the past, this treatment has had a bad reputation and has inspired fear in patients of all ages.
So, when you find out that your precious child needs to have a root canal or pulp therapy, you start to worry. You naturally don’t want them to suffer and wonder whether you can put off this treatment to a later date. However, doing so is a bad decision! Why? Here are just a few reasons you shouldn’t postpone a root canal for your child.
Reason #1: The Problem Will Only Get Worse.
With certain illnesses, like a cold, kids can bounce back quickly or get over it in a few days. Oral problems, however, never heal on their own. In fact, they spread and continue to harm more of your child’s smile.
If your child has substantial dental pain and then suddenly doesn’t, it doesn’t mean the issue is gone. It typically means that the nerve of the tooth has died. Most often in this situation, the tooth needs to be removed entirely before other teeth become infected as well.
Pulp therapy removes tooth structure that has been affected, stopping the spread.
Reason #2: Your Child Needs Their Teeth.
At first glance, the simplest solution may seem to be extraction. However, especially in kids, premature tooth loss can have a negative impact on your child’s smile, confidence, and well-being. For instance, baby teeth are just as important as permanent ones, even though they eventually come out.
Baby teeth allow your child to try new foods and experience more tastes, but they also help the still-developing adult teeth line up correctly. When a primary tooth is lost too early, it can throw off alignment more drastically, requiring more intensive orthodontic treatment.
Reason #3: Tooth Replacement Isn’t as Good as Real Teeth.
With as many innovations as dentistry has seen in recent decades, tooth replacements still can’t quite compare to natural teeth. If a natural tooth can’t be saved, a dental implant is the closest, next-best alternative; however, if you have the chance, rescue a damaged tooth instead of extracting it.
In addition, it’s important to note that children are not usually eligible for dental implants because they are still developing orally until about age 18. As a result, your child would have to wear a partial denture or dental bridge, which could affect their self-esteem during particularly vulnerable years.
Reason #4: The Procedure Doesn’t Hurt.
Despite old stories, modern pulp therapy itself involves basically no pain. Your pediatric dentist will give your child a local anesthetic to numb the area and perhaps even sedation, keeping them comfortable and at ease.
In the end, if your child’s tooth is hurting and requires root canal treatment or pulp therapy, don’t kick the can down the road and postpone getting it done. Act quickly so you can save their tooth and preserve more of their smile.
About the Practice
Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry proudly has two board-certified pediatric dentists on staff. Dr. Patrick Bowman and Dr. Samantha Graffeo prefer to prevent dental issues or treat them as early as possible, but they have the ability to perform even advanced pulp therapy. In addition to a local anesthetic, we offer sedation options, namely nitrous oxide or general anesthesia. If your child needs root canal treatment, don’t wait to contact our team and get it addressed. You may call us at 720-647-6310 or click here.