What to Expect After Your Child’s Pediatric Root Canal

A pediatric root canal can restore your child’s infected tooth. The pediatric dentist will assess the child’s painful tooth. Recommending this procedure can prevent the infection from spreading. Here are the details on what to expect after your child’s scheduled pediatric root canal.

Preparing the child

Preparing the child well can cause the young patient to relax and cooperate. The pediatric dentist will then have an easier time performing the procedure. Studies show that anxiety comes from an unknown future. Discuss the procedure with the child. Doing so will help the child understand what will happen.

Explain the importance of a pediatric root canal. Tell the child how the procedure will happen from beginning to end. Use the most basic language and avoid big words that sound scary. Try to answer the child’s questions. The pediatric dentist can answer the ones the parent cannot.

Show educational pictures or videos about the pediatric root canal. Explain each step as the child sees it. This experience can remove fearful thoughts about the treatment day. Stress the importance of cooperating with the dentist. Keeping the mouth open and staying still are important tasks to maintain. Parents being there throughout the appointment can help encourage the child.

Factors that cause discomfort

This procedure is invasive. It is normal for the child to experience mild swelling, pain, and tenderness. Many factors can cause these issues. The following are some of the main ones:

  • In some cases, the dental instrument for cleaning out the tooth’s root canal damages the surrounding soft tissues. The damage can then cause discomfort.
  • A temporary filling higher than the neighboring natural tooth can cause a harder bite on that area. This matter causes sensitivity and soreness in the treated tooth. The discomfort should fade in a few days.
  • Tiny nerves in the surrounding tissues and ligaments remain swollen after the pediatric root canal. The nerve endings signal pain and cause the areas to be sore.

Pain management

Technological advances in dentistry make a pediatric root canal more comfortable for kids. The pediatric dentist will numb the area and clean the damaged or infected pulp. The process will remove the cause of the discomfort. Pain can still occur once the numbness fades. The dentist will recommend over-the-counter medications to manage the discomfort. Using cold compresses can relieve swelling and pain as well.

Proper aftercare

The pediatric dentist will also provide aftercare instructions after the pediatric root canal. Aside from good pain management, the parent or guardian must also care for the child’s mouth. The most important way to do so is to continue to promote good oral hygiene. Proper flossing and brushing every day will keep the treated area clean and infection-free.

Use a warm saltwater solution as a mouth rinse. This will help counter possible infections. Remind the child not to use the treated tooth. Letting the pediatric dentist restore it fully first will give the tooth enough protection and support. The child can then perform dental functions without worrying about pain.

Proper nutrition

Keep an eye on the child’s nutritional intake and daily diet. It is essential for the child to eat nutritious foods for proper healing. Avoiding foods that can cause infections and irritations is also necessary. Sticky and hard foods can dislodge the temporary crown or filling. Keeping the child on a soft diet can help the tooth heal well. Scrambled eggs, soup, or mashed potatoes are good examples of soft foods that kids love.

Limit the child’s intake of acidic and sugary drinks. These beverages can worsen dental sensitivity by eroding the enamel. Encourage the child to drink water. Keep the water’s temperature just right. Hot or cold drinks can trigger sensitivity.

Follow-up visits

Bringing the child in for follow-up appointments is vital for the child’s oral wellness after the pediatric root canal. These visits will ensure that the treated tooth is healing well without complications. The pediatric dentist will check the child’s treated tooth for signs of damage or infection. It is also a chance for the dentist to keep an eye on the bone regeneration around the tooth.

Follow-up appointments also let the parent air out concerns about the child’s healing. Some patients may need more of these visits than others. Kids with health issues may need extra attention. Working with their physicians may be necessary to ensure proper recovery.

A pediatric root canal may be necessary to achieve a healthy smile

Dental decay or damage can cause problems in your child’s oral development. Early tooth loss and oral pain are preventable with a pediatric root canal. This procedure may be invasive, but it can give your child a healthier mouth. Working with your pediatric dentist can keep your child’s mouth pain-free for a long time.

Request an appointment here: https://www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at (832) 579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Root Canal Treatment in Richmond, TX.

Recent Posts

What Happens During A Baby Root Canal Procedure?

Looking for baby root canal information? Pediatric dentists are dental specialists who serve as great resources to utilize when parents are preparing their child for a pediatric root canal. Baby root canals are similar to traditional adult ones; however, they are geared toward the primary teeth, also known as the baby teeth. Of course, the…

Why Is A Baby Root Canal Recommended Instead Of Pulling The Baby Tooth?

A baby root canal is sometimes necessary for your child. It is also a common treatment that is often performed on this type of teeth. A root canal treatment is usually carried out on an infected tooth. This can happen because of decay, but it can also be because of an injury to the tooth.…

Preparing Your Child For A Baby Root Canal

A baby root canal is performed to save a baby tooth with a compromised pulp chamber. It often brings an end to any pain the child is dealing with. You might find yourself wondering why pediatric dentists are concerned with saving baby teeth since they will eventually fall out. The simple answer to that question…

Pediatric Dentistry: When Is A Root Canal Needed On A Baby Tooth

Pediatric dentistry stresses the importance of keeping the primary teeth in place. For this reason, if your child’s tooth is damaged, your child may have a root canal procedure. This is done to save the tooth until it naturally falls out. But you may be wondering just when your child will need this type of…

Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental

Share
Published by
Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental

Recent Posts

Oral Hygiene Basics: Brushing Thoroughly Twice a Day

Anyone familiar with oral hygiene basics knows that pediatric dentists recommend brushing twice per day…

23 hours ago

Oral Hygiene Basics: Choosing the Right Toothbrush

Everyone learns oral hygiene basics when young, but some details get lost over time. When…

4 days ago

Oral Hygiene Basics: The Different Types of Toothbrushes

Teeth brushing is one of the most important oral hygiene basics, as it removes plaque…

1 week ago

Oral Hygiene Basics: Is Mouthwash Good For Your Child’s Teeth?

Children brushing and flossing their teeth twice a day are important oral hygiene basics, but…

2 weeks ago

Oral Hygiene Basics: How To Lower the Risk for Tooth Decay

Tooth decay happens when the enamel, or tooth surface, is damaged. You can use oral…

2 weeks ago

How the Basics of Oral Hygiene Are Vital for Healthy Teeth

In order to maintain your child's healthy teeth and gums, you should follow the oral…

3 weeks ago