Pulpotomies in Tinton Falls

Your child won’t need to do anything special to recover. They may feel a small amount of discomfort, but this should go away within a day or two. It’s also a good idea to stick to softer foods for a few days as the tooth begins to heal.

If Dr. Kearns or Dr. Jocelyn has scheduled a follow-up for your child, make sure to come in as directed. While it’s unlikely that your child will continue to experience any pain after a few days, contact our Tinton Falls team immediately if any issues arise.

A pulpotomy is necessary when your child’s baby tooth has deep decay that reaches the nerve of the tooth. This can happen due to extensive, untreated tooth decay, or if your child chips or breaks their tooth, exposing the inner “pulp” inside the tooth to oral bacteria.

When the pulp is exposed to oral bacteria, it can cause serious pain and discomfort. And, if the decay is left untreated, your child’s baby tooth will become infected and die. With a pulpotomy, you can relieve your child’s pain, preserve their tooth, and put their oral health back on track.

If your child’s baby tooth is infected, but the infection has not yet spread into the roots of their teeth, a pulpotomy may be the right choice to remove the bacteria and restore their oral health. With a pulpotomy, your child can keep their baby tooth. After their procedure, the baby tooth will heal and recover, allowing their adult tooth to erupt without any problems.

However, a pulpotomy may not always be the right choice. If your child’s tooth is seriously damaged, or the infection extends throughout their entire tooth, it may not be possible to save their tooth with a pulpotomy. If this is the case, the best choice is usually to extract your child’s tooth.

With a tooth extraction, you can relieve your child’s pain, and prevent further complications related to their tooth infection. After their extraction, Dr. Kearns or Dr. Bruno may place a “space maintainer” in the gap where their missing tooth used to be. As the name suggests, this small prosthetic stops your child’s teeth from shifting, allowing proper spacing for the eventual eruption of their adult tooth.

First, make sure your child has great oral hygiene habits. Brushing their teeth twice per day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste helps remove bacteria, food particles, and acid. The fluoride in toothpaste also helps strengthen their teeth and prevents decay. You should floss your child’s teeth once per day, too.

You should also look at their diet. Sugar is the primary cause of tooth decay, and starchy foods like potato chips and crackers can also contribute to cavities. Don’t give your child sugary drinks like juice and soda. Give them water and milk instead. And in general, try to limit their consumption of sugary, starchy, and processed foods. Their diet should mostly consist of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy dairy products.

Lastly, make sure you bring your child into Sycamore Smiles Pediatric Dentistry for a consultation every six months. Six-month teeth cleanings can help prevent cavities, and an oral exam from Dr. Kearns or Dr. Bruno will ensure that any potential cavities are caught early, and you can seek appropriate treatment for your child.