Root Canal Therapy on Baby Teeth

Baby teeth are important to the development of your child’s health and his or her adult teeth. Because of this, we here at Little Smiles of Delaware will do all we can to save the baby teeth from being prematurely extracted. For this reason, we may recommend a root canal procedure as the best option to save a tooth that is severely decayed or infected.

Reasons for a Root Canal

If your child is experiencing temperature sensitivity in a tooth, or if the tooth has been cracked or chipped, he or she may need root canal therapy. These can be symptoms that decay or infection in the tooth has reached the pulp of the tooth, where the nerves and tissue are located. Once this happens, the infection will need to be removed and a dental crown will be placed over the tooth. This crown will not affect the way the baby tooth falls out or the adult tooth grows in.

Avoiding the Need for a Childhood Root Canal

To decrease the chances that your child will need to undergo a pediatric root canal, it’s important to make sure he or she is practicing good oral hygiene. A good oral hygiene routine includes brushing at least twice a day for two minutes at a time, flossing every day, and visiting Little Smiles of Delaware every six months for a dental cleaning and a checkup.

If you believe your child may have a tooth infection or to make an appointment for your child to receive a dental cleaning and a checkup, please contact Little Smiles of Delaware, located in Delaware, Ohio.