A tooth ache is a signal that there is something wrong. Decay, gum disease, or some type of infection could be the problem. A visit to the dentist is warranted … the diagnosis could mean the difference between treatment and tooth loss. When it is your child, concern goes into overdrive. A children’s root canal may be the best choice.

Children can encounter a number of dental emergencies that have potential long-term implications if they are not treated properly. One of the most common reasons that parents bring their sons or daughters to see a children’s emergency dentist is for a chipped tooth.

Cavities are also known as caries and refer to decay in teeth, usually requiring a filling. Nearly all patients that develop cavities have cavities form in the back teeth long before they form in any front teeth. This is largely due to poor oral hygiene habits such as mindless brushing or insufficient brushing and flossing. Cavities also tend to form faster with poor diet, especially when combined with poor brushing and flossing habits.

Ideally, a tooth after root canal therapy should require no special care. With a children’s root canal, there can be residual soreness or discomfort after the procedure. This discomfort can come from the use of a local anesthetic, having the mouth open for an extended period of time creating pressure on the low jaw and face muscles, or from the restoration process used to protect the tooth after the root canal therapy, depending on the type of restoration used.

For decades, dentists have used varying levels of sedation to promote patient relaxation and comfort—especially during lengthy procedures. Over the years, sedation methods have improved substantially, especially with the use of IV Sedation. Like adults, children sometimes require medication during dental procedures to alleviate discomfort or anxiety. Because our practice specializes in treating children, treatment is tailored to the needs of our younger patients by our kids’ dentist. IV sedation allows precise dosing that reduces feelings of worry or panic while also making our patients feel at ease.

Did you know that tooth decay is an infectious disease? The Center for Disease Control identifies dental caries (cavities) as an infectious disease because transmittable oral bacteria cause cavities. In fact, tooth decay is so common that roughly 99% of all people will develop a cavity at some point in their lifetime. When it comes to treating tooth decay, our children’s dentist offers restorative treatments such as fillings and crowns.

Ideally your child should have their first visit to the children’s dentist at around the age of twelve months. Children have enough primary teeth at this stage for an exam to be beneficial.

There are many aspects of soda that make it an undesirable beverage especially for children. Soda’s primary ingredient of sugar leads to dental decay not to mention unwanted weight gain. Visits to the pediatric dentist should be initiated starting at the age of 12 months, and then consistently kept every six months. However, these visits should be for check-ups … hopefully not to repair decayed teeth.

Cavity prevention is particularly important for children, as tooth decay is one of the most prevalent childhood diseases. Just as is the case with adults, thorough brushing and flossing is the cornerstone of reducing the risk of tooth decay.

Trauma to teeth can happen so fast … a fall off a bike, an incident while playing sports, an auto accident … any of these things can result in traumatic damage to your child’s teeth. Being prepared is critical to the outcome of any of these events. Carrying the name and phone number of your children’s emergency dentist, as well as keeping this information posted for caregivers, can mean the difference between saving your child’s teeth and costly, time consuming, and maybe uncomfortable dental work for your child.