Nerve Treatment

Why Save a Damaged Baby Tooth?

It makes sense to restore severely decayed or damaged permanent teeth, but why restore a baby tooth if it will eventually fall out? Maintaining healthy baby teeth is critical for your child's present and future oral health. Healthy baby teeth play a role in speech development and help your child chew without pain, ensuring adequate nutrition.

If left untreated, tooth pulp damage can cause extreme pain and unnecessary suffering. As the condition progresses, the affected tooth may develop an abscess, causing irreversible harm to the permanent tooth growing behind the scenes.

At Sunny Side of the Street Pediatric Dentistry, we never spare any effort to save damaged baby teeth. These tiny pearly whites help maintain the space needed for the permanent teeth and serve as guides to ensure proper eruption when it's time for them to come in. The premature loss of a baby tooth can result in the neighboring teeth shifting out of alignment, leading to crooked teeth and problems with the bite, not to mention the need for costly orthodontic treatments. Baby teeth act like natural space maintainers and should be restored rather than pulled out whenever possible.

What Are Signs of Tooth Pulp Damage?

Signs of tooth pulp damage include spontaneous pain, constant throbbing, sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, tooth discoloration, gum tenderness, a pimple on the gums indicating an abscess, and swelling of the face or jaw. These symptoms do not necessarily mean your child has inflamed or infected tooth pulp. However, they warrant an evaluation. If Dr. Tyfanni determines a nerve treatment is necessary, she will ensure your child feels comfortable and safe during the procedure.

How We Help Your Child Relax During Treatment

While nerve treatment on baby teeth is typically quick and simple, it can be unnerving for children. Dr. Tyfanni will explain the procedure in kid-friendly terms and talk to your child in a reassuring manner. If your little one is highly anxious, very young, or has a hard time sitting still for long, we may recommend dental sedation for safe and comfortable care.

How Can You Prevent the Need for Nerve Treatment?

Prevention is always better than cure, so encourage your child to brush and floss daily and to limit sugary foods and drinks to lower the risk of tooth decay and cavities. Avoid hard foods and candies that can chip or damage a tooth, providing an entryway for harmful bacteria. If your child is involved in contact sports, we recommend wearing a custom sports mouthguard to lower the risk of damage to the teeth.

It's also essential to maintain your child's routine dental exams and cleanings every six months. Dr. Tyfanni and her team at Sunny Side of the Street Pediatric Dentistry will treat any problems as they develop, preventing the need for extensive procedures down the road.