Can Kids Need Root Canals?

 

One of the most common misconceptions about pediatric dentistry is that baby teeth do not require the same care as adult teeth. It’s easy to see where this misconception comes from. We all understand that baby teeth are temporary, and they will eventually fall out as the adult teeth come in. However, it is important to note that temporary does not equal disposable. 

 

Can Kids Need Root Canals?

When a baby tooth is badly infected, it will still likely require a root canal because that is the best thing for the child’s long-term oral health. That is why the Giving a Smile Foundation works hard to ensure that every child in the Los Angeles area receives the dental care they need.

The Role of Baby Teeth

Your child’s baby teeth serve important roles in their development. Beyond allowing your child to chew comfortably, your child’s baby teeth help them develop in a number of ways, including:

• Allowing them to pronounce words clearly in the language(s) used by their parents and community
• Teaching them social cues involved in smiling
• Protecting their gums
• Serving as placeholders for adult teeth

In fact, despite seeming relatively unimportant, this last point is key to your child’s continued physical development. 

Without the placeholder of an existing baby tooth, it is easy for the surrounding teeth to move, which can disrupt the way their adult teeth emerge. These disruptions may require professional intervention and extensive orthodontic work to fix. 

Protecting Baby Teeth

We have established that baby teeth are important. However, you may wonder how you can best protect your little one’s teeth. Fortunately, the guidelines are pretty straightforward. 

    Infant Oral Health Guidelines:

• Wipe down infants’ gums at least twice per day.
• Keep bottles and pacifiers clean.
• Take them to see a pediatric dentist at one year old or within six months of their first tooth emerging. 

Toddler and Child Oral Health Guidelines:

• Brush twice per day for two minutes with a soft bristled brush and toothpaste.
• Help your child floss once per day. 
• Avoid putting your child to bed with anything to drink besides water.
• Go to visit your pediatric dentist once every six months. 

Keep in mind that these are general guidelines. To learn more about the specifics of oral healthcare for your child’s developmental stage, talk to your pediatric dentist. Your dentist and your hygienists are excellent resources for learning how to handle transitions into new routines and teaching your child how to appropriately care for their teeth as they grow older. 

Responding to Childhood Tooth Decay

It isn’t ideal for a child to encounter tooth decay, but it is quite common. That’s important to keep in mind when your pediatric dentist lets you know that your child may need a filling or a root canal. How you choose to approach your child’s oral health will help to shape their long-term health and their long-term relationship with oral healthcare professionals. 

As a result, the best approach is often to stay calm and simply ask your dentist for their recommendation. Remember that you are modeling good habits for your child, and you’re trying to teach them that the dentist is there to help them stay healthy. 

How to Handle Pediatric Root Canals

There is a well-established idea that root canals are scary and painful. While a root canal may have been unpleasant several decades ago, modern root canals are virtually painless. At most, your child may experience a little soreness in the days following the procedure. 

Giving a Smile’s mission is to promote pediatric oral healthcare and to provide resources to the families who need it most. If you are in need of guidance or want to aid in this mission, call Giving a Smile today.