A pediatric root canal is often a final resort for a dentist who is trying to save a child’s tooth. When a cavity has become so severe that it has progressed into the innermost pulp chamber of the tooth, removing the pulp and performing a root canal is the best option for enabling the child to keep the tooth rather than have it extracted.
While a root canal is a standard outpatient procedure, preparing ahead of time for recovery can help the patient get back to feeling normal as soon as possible. Recovery should only take one to two days, but with a bit of forethought, it can be made more comfortable.
A pediatric root canal requires the dentist to perform dental work, including drilling, on the center of a tooth, which is where the nerves and blood vessels are located. As a result, children will need time to recover. The best aftercare steps to follow after a root canal are detailed here.
Even though the child will be awake throughout the root canal procedure, their body will still need time to rest and recover from the physical stress of the treatment. Allow them to sleep if they feel like it, and encourage them to avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day. Streaming their favorite movie or having a board game night can be fun ways to keep them calm.
The area surrounding the root canal may be tender for the first 24 hours, so prepare soft meals for the day of the treatment in advance. Mashed potatoes, yogurt, scrambled eggs, and oatmeal are good choices that will not irritate the procedure site.
Swelling is normal in any area of the mouth that has been irritated with dental tools and numbing. An ice pack wrapped in a cloth can reduce this swelling and mitigate discomfort and pain. Place the ice pack on the face (not inside the mouth) near the affected area for about 10 minutes, then remove it for 10 to 15 minutes. Parents may repeat this cycle throughout the day.
The dentist will fill the hole made during the root canal in the same way that they would a cavity, which means the child will get a new filling on that tooth. Chewy, hard, or sticky foods can dislodge it, so avoid these items.
Since root canals entail accessing the innermost portion of the tooth where the nerves are located, dentists will provide numbing to ensure that the child is comfortable throughout the process. This numbness will likely persist for multiple hours after the procedure, so avoid giving food to the child until they can feel their mouth, lips, and tongue. Otherwise, they may choke or bite the soft tissues of the mouth.
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A pediatric root canal is a valuable procedure for saving a tooth instead of having it extracted. However, smart aftercare in the hours following the treatment can help a child remain comfortable instead of sore. Contact our office to schedule a root canal or ask questions about the aftercare process.
Request an appointment or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at 845-363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.
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