Signs Your Child Might Need a Root Canal

Did you know that children sometimes need root canal therapy, or pulpal therapy? Your child’s baby teeth and permanent teeth can get infected just like an adult’s teeth.

Root canal treatment by a children’s dentist can save your child’s tooth, preserve their oral health, and protect their overall health. Failing to treat a tooth infection can have serious health consequences, including tooth loss, sinus problems, oral pain, and systemic infection.

Here are a few warning signs that your child might need pediatric root canal therapy:

Sensitivity:

If your child complains that hot or cold foods and beverages make their teeth hurt or feel funny, it means there’s a problem. It might not be an infection, but you should visit our Lytle dental office to learn what’s wrong.

Tender & Swollen Gums:

Infections often cause gum swelling or tenderness. It can be a subtle swelling or very obvious swelling. Swelling can even spread to a child’s cheeks.

Swollen Lymph Nodes:

As the body fights a tooth infection, the lymph nodes can swell. Lymph nodes can be found in a few areas around the body, including the neck. When swollen, lymph nodes will feel tender, even painful. The swelling might also be accompanied by a fever.

Bad Taste in the Mouth:

When a tooth is infected, a small sac of pus can form in the area. If it begins to drain, your child will most likely complain of tasting something bad.

Chronic & Severe Pain:

An untreated tooth infection can cause a throbbing, persistent toothache. A tooth infection can also result in a sinus infection, causing a dull ache in your child’s forehead, nose, jaw, or between their eyes. While child-safe pain relievers may help temporarily, root canal treatment is the only way to resolve the pain and protect your child from further infection.

Pediatric Root Canal Treatment in Lytle, TX

Your child may not experience all the symptoms of a tooth infection. They might not even feel anything is wrong! This is one reason why regular dental checkups are so important.

Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, your pediatric dentist in Lytle, can identify and treat infections and dental issues early before your child experiences any serious health consequences. To help your child feel calm and relaxed, our office offers kid-friendly amenities and dental sedation.

Do you have questions about what happens during pulpal therapy? Or do you want to schedule your child’s next appointment? Please contact us today.