You can feel worried for your child after being told they need a baby root canal due to an injured or severely decayed tooth’s pulp. However, your child’s tooth may be preserved thanks to this restorative procedure. If the infection progresses too far, it may result in the nerves inside your child’s tooth dying out, which may lead to having a tooth pulled. An experienced dental specialist can save the tooth by cleaning out the infected tissue during a root canal and then covering the damaged area with a filling or a crown.
Discover the indications that your child needs a root canal as well as the types of tests your dentist will use to find the infection by reading on.
1. Symptoms your child may experience
Persistent toothache is one of the more typical indications that a root canal is necessary. This symptom may be mild or severe. It could even appear to be pulsating. Another indication that something is not wrong is your child being overly sensitive to hot or cold food, beverages, and even air.
Your child’s gums may feel sensitive or swollen if there is an infection. In severe cases, the infection and subsequent inflammation may spread to your child’s neck and even face. The swelling will however typically occur around the decaying tooth’s base. The presence of a fever, swollen lymph nodes, and overall discomfort are other indicators of an infection.
Not all children will experience the same symptoms because each situation is unique. Some kids may not even exhibit any symptoms whatsoever. The parent should therefore inform the dentist of any unexpected changes in their child’s teeth or gums. The dental specialist can then determine whether any more testing is required.
2. Symptoms the dentist might notice
After their teeth start to erupt, your child should already be visiting the dentist at least once a year. Regular dental checkups can help preserve your child’s dental health going forward. The dentist may also notice early signs of infections and other conditions and address them effectively. There are several signs that the child may need a root canal, such as:
- Changes in the gums and oral tissue around the tooth
- Severely discolored tooth
- Drainage from an infection
- Crowding
3. Tests used to diagnose an infection
The dentist may suggest additional tests if they believe your kid requires a baby root canal. Tests including percussion may be part of this. To tap the tooth, the dentist will use a dental instrument. It will hurt if there is an infection inside the tooth.
An X-ray of every tooth is also a commonly used technique. The child won’t feel any pain during this test. Your dentist will be able to check for hidden infections. Cavities, depressions, or openings in one or more teeth are one major indicator that a root canal is necessary.
These signify that a dark patch will appear close to the affected tooth’s root, indicating that the bone surrounding the tooth has undergone changes. The infection inside the tooth is the cause of this response. The tooth’s root is where the infection typically occurs.
One possible test is a thermal one. This type of test entails teeth being exposed to both hot and cold temperatures. Healthy teeth would typically stop hurting after 30 seconds. The painful symptoms in an infected tooth will continue no matter what.
The bottom line
Your child may experience severe pain and even develop a tooth abscess if an infection is not addressed timely. Sometimes, this condition may put your child’s life at risk. However, severe complications can be avoided by addressing and recognizing this problem quickly. Make a dental appointment right away if you believe your child requires a baby root canal.
