Pulp Therapy for Kids: Saving Smiles One Tooth at a Time

Saving Smiles Through Pulp Therapy

As a parent, seeing your child in pain is one of the most difficult experiences you can face. If your child’s pain is caused by a persistent toothache, you may be wondering what can be done. Does the tooth need to be pulled? Is there another complex dental procedure that needs to be done?

At We Make Kids Smile in Prince Frederick and Waldorf, Maryland, if your child is experiencing major tooth pain, we offer a procedure called pulp therapy. It is a specialized treatment that is similar to a root canal treatment and designed to save your child’s primary, or baby, tooth from decay or injury that otherwise might require removal. Read on to learn more about the procedure offered in our office.

What is the pulp and why does it get infected?

The pulp of the tooth is the soft tissue inside the tooth. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels, which help keep the tooth alive and healthy. The pulp is encased inside the tooth, and the enamel, or hard outer layer of the tooth helps protect it. But if the enamel and dentin layers of the tooth get damaged due to a deep cavity, cracked tooth, or other trauma, the pulp becomes vulnerable, which can lead to pain in your child’s tooth.

Signs Your Child Might Need Pulp Therapy

Some children have a high tolerance to pain, and when an internal tooth infection is involved, it may be hard to know when and if your child needs pulp therapy. However, there are a few instances parents should be aware of.

• Persistent toothache
• Tooth sensitivity to temperatures, hot or cold
• Swelling or redness near the tooth
• Difficulty chewing on one side of the mouth
  

If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, bring them into We Make Kids Smile so our team can perform a dental evaluation to see what is causing their pain.

How Pulp Therapy Works

When you hear the term root canal therapy, it can be intimidating. However, pediatric pulp therapy is a routine and highly effective procedure that is routinely performed at both of We Make Kids Smile offices in Waldorf and Prince Frederick, Maryland.

First, there are two types of pulp therapy. A pulpotomy is used when there is tooth decay or damage to the upper part of the pulp, known as the crown. A pulpectomy is when the entire pulp of the tooth, including the tissue in the roots of the tooth, is infected.

Pulp therapy, in simple terms, is when the dentist removes inflamed or infected tissue in and around the tooth. First, the dentist will numb the area where the pulp therapy is being performed so that your child won’t feel a thing. If your child is anxious, there are sedation options available. Next, the infected tissue is removed from the impacted tooth. After the area is cleared and disinfected, the tooth is sealed to prevent further infection from getting into the tooth. If the tooth’s structure has weakened, a dental crown may be used to help restore the tooth’s strength. 

The pulp therapy treatment is done to help preserve your child’s baby teeth until they fall out naturally to make room for their adult teeth.

Benefits of Pulp Therapy

There are many benefits to choosing pulp therapy over tooth extraction, especially in children.

First, pulp therapy will stop the toothaches and pain your child is experiencing. It also stops the spread of the infection from getting to other teeth.

Second, pulp therapy keeps the child’s baby tooth in place. If a baby tooth is extracted, it can affect the spacing of your child’s teeth, making it harder for their permanent teeth to come into their proper positions. This can lead to overcrowding, tooth shifting, and the need for braces later in life. Pulp therapy is a great way to address your child’s inner tooth infections without having to extract a tooth prematurely.

A Gentle Way to Protect Your Child’s Smile

Pulp therapy, while it may sound scary, is a gentle and routine procedure that is done frequently in the We Make Kids Smile office. If your child is experiencing tooth pain and needs to have dental work done, pulp therapy may be the perfect option to help preserve their smile.

If your child is experiencing pain, schedule an appointment with We Make Kids Smile so we can perform a complete dental evaluation to find the source of your child’s pain and keep them smiling!