Pediatric Oral Health Issues Every New Parent Should Know About

As a new parent, you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed by the responsibilities that lie in front of you. Fortunately, pediatric specialists can help you navigate some of the more complex challenges, including what to do to provide your child with a lifetime of good oral health.

At Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC, our team specializes in endodontic care tailored to the unique needs of kids and teens, including young children whose jaws are still developing. In this post, learn about common pediatric dental problems, including issues that may require endodontic intervention.

Tooth decay

Nearly everyone has had at least one cavity, including most kids. The CDC says more than half of kids have had at least one cavity in a baby (primary) tooth, and about 60% of older kids have had one or more cavities in their adult secondary or permanent) teeth.

With those statistics, you might think cavities are “just part of growing up” — but that’s not so. Cavities and the toothaches they cause can absolutely be prevented, saving your child considerable discomfort and preventing problems with nutrition, speech, and self-confidence.

Toothaches should always be evaluated and treated by a dentist, even when they occur in baby teeth. In fact, leaving a toothache untreated can lead to deep infections and complications that require more complex intervention, including endodontic care.

Establishing regular brushing and flossing routines early — as soon as your child’s baby teeth erupt — and seeing the dentist twice a year helps prevent cavities. It’s also important to limit sweets and avoid giving your baby a bottle when they go to bed at night.

Tooth trauma

Tooth trauma from sports, falls, or other accidents is another problem that can be common during the childhood years. Trauma can result in the loss of one or more teeth, along with tooth cracks and fractures that expose teeth to serious infections. 

If your child has a crack, chip, or other traumatic tooth injury, it’s essential to seek urgent dental care immediately. Even in the case of tooth avulsion (knocked-out tooth), immediate endodontic care may result in the tooth being replanted in the socket, preventing permanent tooth loss.

Wearing a mouthguard during sports can help prevent many dental traumas. Be sure to have your child’s mouthguard professionally fitted for optimal comfort and protection, and bring the guard with you to every appointment to ensure it still fits properly.

Abscesses

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms as the result of an advanced infection, typically in the gum tissue surrounding the tooth. Abscesses typically form when a cavity is left untreated, allowing the infection to migrate.

Without treatment, abscesses can spread to the jawbone or through the bloodstream to other areas of the body. Fortunately, our team is skilled in treating abscessed teeth in kids and teens, relieving pain, and preventing complications.

Pulp damage or infection

In their earlier stages, most cavities affect the outer layers of teeth — the tough outermost enamel layer or the dentin layer located just below the enamel. But sometimes, a cavity reaches the pulp part of the tooth — the interior part containing nerves and blood vessels that support tooth health.

In the very early stages of inner tooth damage, the pulp becomes inflamed, causing a condition called pulpitis. If the damage is allowed to continue, the pulp tissue dies, leaving the tooth weak and at risk of falling out.

Our team can treat all sorts of pulp-related issues affecting your child’s teeth, using advanced techniques to prevent tooth loss. That includes pediatric root canal treatment designed to remove badly damaged pulp while restoring the strength and structure of the tooth.

Your child’s oral health has a big impact on their growth and development during childhood and on their adult health, too. To learn more about the pediatric treatments we provide, call 929-229-0255 or book an appointment online at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC today.