Nerve Treatment in Primary Teeth

Nerve Treatment in Primary Teeth

It may seem odd to imagine a crown on a baby tooth. After all, the primary teeth are your child’s “practice set,” right? Unfortunately, that’s not really the case. The primary teeth serve a very important purpose, as the placeholders for future permanent teeth. If a child suffers from an infection or abscess in a baby tooth that is left untreated, the tooth may eventually be lost altogether. And if this happens before the permanent teeth are ready to come in (typically beginning around a child’s sixth birthday), the space that tooth is reserving for its permanent counterpart can close up. When the adult teeth begin to erupt, there’s no space for them to come through properly, leading to crooked teeth, bite issues and even speech problems.

This is why, for an infection or abscess, we may recommend nerve treatment, also known as pulpotomy (removal of the infected nerve in the crown) or pulpectomy (removal of the nerve tissue in the crown and roots). The good news is that these procedures are typically no more painful or traumatizing than a simple filling. After we clean out the infected pulp, we cover the remaining portion of the tooth with a stainless steel crown to allow for a normal bite and to prevent further infection.

There are situations where it may be advisable to remove the tooth altogether rather than trying to salvage it with nerve treatments. This depends on the location of the affected tooth, whether the infection has spread to the bone or gum tissue, and your child’s overall health. Sometimes, infection can recur after nerve therapy. If further infection could endanger your child’s health due to other medical conditions, it may be a better option to simply extract the tooth and fix the spacing issues later in life with orthodontia.

Don’t hesitate to call KiDDS Dental if your child is complaining of pain or temperature sensitivity or if you notice a broken tooth with exposed root. Dental infections can be quite serious if left untreated. The first step is making an appointment; then we can discuss treatment options together.

Click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared. Or give us a call at (509)-891-7070.

Mouthguard Cleaning 101: Know the Score

The thought of your child using someone else’s mouthguard is pretty disgusting, right? But remember that the bacteria, yeast, fungi and other undesirable particles on your child’s own mouthguard need to be cleaned away—properly—before every use. And whether the guard is used for sports or to prevent teeth-grinding, whether it is custom-made or off-the-shelf, it needs to be sanitized regularly, no matter how clean it may look.

Rinsing with cold water before and after each use is only the first step in basic mouthguard care. For the best protection, follow these guidelines:

• Have your children brush their teeth before each time they wear their mouthguards. Caution your children against sharing their mouthguards with teammates.
• If the mouthguard is ready-made, wash it thoroughly after each use with warm (not hot) water and mild soap, and then rinse and dry with a soft, clean cloth.
• If the mouthguard is customized (boil-and-bite or fabricated by us especially for your child), brush all its surfaces, especially crevices, with a toothbrush and toothpaste after each use. Rinse with cool water, and dry with a soft, clean cloth.
• Always store the mouthguard in a hard-sided container with ventilation holes. This box, too, should be cleaned often with soap and warm water.
• As an additional precaution, rinse the mouthguard in antibacterial mouthwash.
• Don’t ever leave the mouthguard in the sun or use hot water to clean it. High temperatures can distort its shape.

Mouthguards also need to be checked regularly for signs of wear and damage that may not be readily apparent to you. Bring them with you every time your children visit our office, so we can inspect them.

If a mouthguard develops any pits or cracks, or if your child says it feels uncomfortable or “loose,” it probably needs to be replaced. Check for areas that feel rough. When such an area grazes your child’s gums, it can cause tiny cuts through which bacteria can enter.

Don’t know if your child would benefit from a mouthguard? If he or she participates in a contact sport, the answer is almost certainly “yes.” We’ll be happy to discuss options with you at your child’s next appointment at KiDDS Dental. And if your child already has a mouthguard, stay vigilant in keeping them clean and smooth. That can go a long way to maintaining not only your child’s oral health but his or her general health as well.

Call us to schedule an appointment today!  509-891-7070.

KiDDS Dental wants you to win! #flossmadness2020

Facebook in no way endorses or promotes this contest. It is solely promoted by KiDDS Dental.
 
The Rules:

KiDDS Dental's Floss Madness Bracket Contest begins March 2, 2020 and ends March 17, 2020.  By submitting a bracket, each entrant agrees to the rules and states that they are 18 years or older.


Who may enter: Adults 18 years or older are eligible to complete a bracket. KiDDS Dental will determine the eligibility of each bracket submitted at its sole discretion. Employees of KiDDS Dental and their immediate families (spouse, parents, siblings, children, in-laws) are not eligible to enter. Winner must be available to pick up prize at KiDDS Dental in Liberty Lake, WA by April 16, 2020.
How to enter: Go the the KiDDS Dental Facebook page and click on the Floss Madness 2020 tab. Follow the prompts there to complete your bracket. Entrant must complete the entire bracket to be considered a successful entry. 

How to win: Members of the KiDDS Dental team will participate in "Floss Races" according the the bracket assignments posted. Contests will run March 18, 2020 through April 3, 2020. Points will be distributed based on correct predictions at each bracket level.

Judging:  The entrant with the most points will be the winner. In the case of multiple entrants sharing the same high score, those entrants will be entered into a random drawing. Winner will be notified on or before April 7, 2020.

Odds: Actual odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries.

Decisions: By entering into the promotion, entrants agree to abide by and be bound by these official rules, and to accept the decision of KiDDS Dental as final.  Entrants also agree to hold KiDDS Dental harmless from any liability arising from participation in this promotion. KiDDS Dental is not responsible for entries not received because of technical difficulties. KiDDS Dental reserves the right to disqualify any entrant who fails to follow these official rules or uses fraudulent means in participating. If for any reason this promotion is not able to be conducted as planned, KiDDS Dental reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend this promotion and randomly draw from the entries received up to the cancellation/suspension date.


Prize:  The entrant deemed the winner will receive a certificate for two to Mica Moon Zip Tours valued at $225. Winner must be available to pick up prize at KiDDS Dental by 4 PM on April 16, 2020 or prize will be forfeited. Winners must sign a media release and will be responsible for paying any taxes they may owe on a prize.

Publicity: Winner agrees to permit KiDDS Dental to use his/her name and likeness in promotional and other KiDDS Dental materials, without additional compensation or permission, except where prohibited by law.


This promotion is void where prohibited.