Root Canal in Children – Are they necessary?

Little child in dentists surgery learning how to brush teeth with giant toothbrush

A baby root canal might be inevitable to save your child’s tooth if infected or damaged. While the procedure may be anxiety-inducing for parents, parents should understand that your Laval pediatric clinic will only recommend the procedure only when it is absolutely necessary. The silver lining is with technology, pediatric dentists can perform root canals with a less invasive treatment and little to no pain. Anesthetics and pain medications are used actively to manage potential discomfort.

Why are baby root canals necessary?

Baby teeth might be temporary and eventually, fall out, but that does not make them any less important. Parents sometimes might think it is not vital to save a baby tooth since it will eventually fall out. Still, parents must remember that infections come with unbearable pain and can lead to severe complications when left unaddressed.

A baby tooth serves as placeholders for permanent teeth and ensures that the permanent tooth comes out correctly. Thus, saving a baby tooth is as critical as saving a permanent one. Also, If the baby tooth falls out too soon, then the child may have speech or bite problems and interfere with simple tasks like chewing. When a child has a root canal treatment, the baby tooth can be saved. This allows it to come out only when it is ready.

When is a baby root canal needed?

Keep an eye out for the following signs if you are worried about whether your child needs a root canal or not:

  • Fever
  • Persistent toothaches
  • A decayed tooth
  • A severely broken tooth
  • Pus coming out of a tooth

In conclusion, a baby root canal procedure will be needed if the tooth is not repairable through a simpler procedure, such as a dental filling procedure. When the teeth become severely infected, the tooth is at risk of falling out, resulting in other teeth moving out of their proper alignment. There are many cases when this can cause the permanent tooth to erupt abnormally.

Preparing a child for a root canal

Your Laval dental clinic will tell you how to prepare your child for this procedure. Naturally, your child might be feeling scared or apprehensive about the procedure. As a caregiver, you can explain to your child why the procedure is needed, make him/her understand the steps, and also give assurance that he/she will be getting medication to prevent pain.

Depending on your child’s age, your dentist might use x-rays to inspect the area and understand the severity of the infection.

Local anesthesia will be given to your child to prevent pain during the procedure. Your dentist may also provide antibiotics to help prevent an infection caused by bacteria. This is also the right to tell your dental health provider if your child is allergic to any medicines.

Avoiding tooth decay

Preventive dental care is the only way to go if you want to avoid damage to your tooth in the future. Your health provider will explain to your child or you how to brush and floss teeth correctly. Parents play a huge role in inspiring children to take great care of their oral hygiene to avoid tooth decay and other oral health problems.

Ensure that you are brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they get their first tooth. Help them brush and floss for the first few years until they have fully mastered the skills and have perfected the technique. Also, ensure that you are regularly taking them to your Laval Dental clinic for exams and cleanings! This will ensure that your child is comfortable with your dentist from day one. Regular dental exams will catch tooth decay in its primary infection, helping your child avoid more lengthy procedures.

Destination Dentaire, the leading Laval dental clinic, is committed to high standards of perfection – because your child deserves nothing less. The clinic focuses on the early detection of dental issues, ranging from gum infection to the onset of caries formation, to avoid these problems, such as root canals from the start.


Interesting Related Article: “The Most Common Dental Hygiene Mistakes To Avoid”