Even if you take tooth decay seriously as a whole, you may think a child’s cavities aren’t worth worrying about. Baby teeth eventually fall out on their own, so what’s the real harm? Still, children should actually keep their full smiles as long as possible. Dentists will even perform a pulpectomy – a root canal for kids – to ensure that happens. To learn more, just read this helpful summary from your Plano dental practice.
Why Bother with Baby Teeth?
All baby teeth fall out eventually, but you shouldn’t let your child lose theirs too soon. Early losses from cavities or tooth decay are bad for children’s oral health.
The truth is that baby teeth play key roles over time. In particular, they help kids eat and speak, ensure permanent teeth emerge properly, etc. Losing them early would cause your child to have difficulty with meals and trouble with clear speech. Adding insult to injury, the problem could also result in orthodontic crowding, misalignments, and bite issues.
Given these facts, kids lose baby teeth at the latest possible date. That outcome gives children better lives and healthier smiles.
What’s a Pulpectomy?
To keep kids from losing baby teeth too soon, pediatric dentists will often perform a pulpectomy. This treatment is also known as a kid-friendly root canal.
Your standard pulpectomy includes several key steps. For starters, the dentist will numb the child’s tooth to prevent pain during treatment. They’ll then place a rubber dam over the opened pearly white, thus keeping it isolated. The dentist’s final actions will be to remove any decay, extract the inner pulp, and disinfect the tooth’s interior.
Pulpectomies are called root canals for kids, but you can rest easy; they don’t have side effects. The only thing your child will face is some post-care sensitivity that quickly fades.
How Can You Preserve Your Child’s Teeth?
Pulpectomies are safe and effective, but it’d be better if your child didn’t need one. You should thus preserve their baby teeth by using these tips:
- Teach & Model Oral Hygiene – Since hard-to-reach teeth are the ones most likely to get cavities, have your child practice thorough brushing and flossing.
- Watch What They Eat – To prevent sugar-induced tooth decay, ensure your child eats mouth-healthy foods for their meals. These would include lean proteins, leafy greens, and crisp fruits.
- Get Regular Dental Care – When your child gets regular dental checkups, a pediatric dentist will detect (and treat) their cavities before a pulpectomy is necessary.
You can consult your dental provider to learn more about pulpectomies. Otherwise, adopt the habits above so your child (hopefully) won’t need them!
About the Practice
Antoon Family Dental is based in Plano, TX. Led by Dr. Sam Antoon, our practice strives to give every patient a strong smile that lasts for many years. We thus offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as pediatric dental care. If your grin (or your child’s) needs help, rest assured – our team has your back! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (972)-640-6229.