Can Children Receive Pulpotomy Treatment?

When a tooth becomes infected, the pulp might need to be removed to free your teeth from problems and pain. Although this is a standard procedure for adults to receive, is it possible to have this treatment done for children?

As a parent, you probably have many questions about whether your child is experiencing severe toothache and complaining about sensitivity. Let us explain your options and whether a pulpotomy for children is the best way forward.

How Does a Pulpotomy Work for Children?

You might imagine that a pulpotomy isn't necessary for young children because their first teeth fall out anyway. However, this won't change the fact that oral diseases or an infected tooth will likely cause your child significant pain and discomfort. No matter what their age and if their set of teeth are adult or not, it's vital that you take action to address the problem.

Undertaking a pulpotomy involves removing the pulp from within a tooth when it has become infected. This is often caused by a buildup of bacteria and plaque, causing decay and cavities between the teeth and gums; when this happens, it’s more likely that the centre of the tooth will face unwanted bacteria.

Experienced and expert dentists can perform a pulpotomy on a child effectively, removing the infected pulp from their teeth after considering the difference in the size of teeth and the extra caution that should be considered. A local anaesthetic will be administered so the process will be painless, but there could be some sensitivity during the recovery stages; purchase some over-the-counter medicine to quell this discomfort if it occurs.

How to Prevent Your Child Needing a Pulpotomy

The best way to prevent bacteria from building up in your child's mouth and maintain good oral health is to teach them how to brush correctly and remind them that this needs to be done twice a day. If your child is too young to brush for themself, you can do this gently, reaching every area of their teeth and gums as possible. Getting a child to floss is difficult, as is encouraging them to use mouthwash, so if you can't do either, ensure that brushing isn't skipped.

Whatever age a person is, regular dental visits are essential regardless of whether there is a toothache or not. To make sure your children maintain a high standard of oral care and learn the optimal ways to look after their teeth, booking a child's dentist appointment should be done every 6-9 months; this allows a dentist to inspect their teeth and gums to see if diseases are present as a proactive measure before a pulpotomy is required.

Limit the amount of sugar your child consumes as this is a massive contributor towards decay and cavities; check the nutritional content of the food and drinks they're consuming so fewer problems will be faced.