Pediatric Dentistry - The Foleck Center

If your child is prone to cavities, you may wonder if there is anything dentists can do to save their teeth. Cavities are very common in children, and many children are prone to cavities while others are not. If a child has a small cavity, we may choose to just monitor the tooth, or recommend a dental filling. If the tooth has severe decay, a crown may be recommended in order to save the tooth. Dental crowns can protect a severely damaged or decayed tooth, and preserve the tooth underneath.

Why Would My Child Need a Dental Crown?

Primary teeth are very important in a child’s development. They help with growth and development, speech, and eating. It is important to try and keep a child’s primary teeth for as long as you can to protect and maintain their oral health. Primary teeth serve as placeholders for adult teeth. If a child does not have their primary teeth, this can cause orthodontic issues. The adult teeth may not erupt properly or will erupt in the wrong direction. If your child has a cavity, placing a crown on the tooth can leave the primary tooth intact, but protect the tooth from further damage.

How Does a Crown Procedure Work?

Crowns can be placed in one dental visit making this ideal for children. During the procedure, the primary tooth is cleaned and prepared. We use local anesthesia along with Nitrous oxide or laughing gas to keep your child calm and comfortable. Once the tooth is prepped and ready, the crown is gently affixed on top of the tooth. Recovery is minimal, and we recommend waiting a few hours after the procedure to eat or drink. This allows the numb feeling to wear off. Your child’s bite may feel odd, but after a few days, they will adjust to the new crown.

Dental crowns are very durable and should last until the primary tooth is lost. Practicing good oral hygiene habits at home can help keep your crown feeling and looking great. We encourage regular visits to our office to give our doctors the ability to monitor the crown and check for additional decay. Dental cleanings and exams help to keep track of a child’s oral development and can help address cavities or other concerns as your child grows.

Ready To Find Out More About Dental Crowns?

At The Foleck Center, your child’s health is our priority. Our dentist in downtown Hampton have years of experience in pediatric dentistry and love to work with children. We create a calm and relaxing environment and always ensure your child has a positive experience. Let our team at The Foleck Center provide quality dental care you can trust.

If you have concerns about your child’s teeth, or they are due for their exam and cleaning, contact The Foleck Center, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

Infections can be serious, and it is always important for patients to know when to call their dentist. Infections should always be treated right away to avoid complications, or other issues from developing. If you have a toothache and throbbing pain that does not go away, the infection could spread to other places in the body. At The Foleck Center, we are equipped to handle any dental emergency, and offer flexible hours to accommodate our patients.

What Are Symptoms of a Tooth Infection?

Throbbing pain that does not subside
Pain in your jaw, neck, or ear
Sensitivity when you place pressure on the area
Pain that gets worse when you are lying down
Swelling around the jaw or mouth
Tender lymph nodes
Bad breath or odd taste in the mouth
Fever

Knowing these signs can help treat an infection before it spreads and becomes more serious. Never hesitate to call your dentist when you are experiencing any of the above symptoms. At The Foleck Center, we put our patients’ health first, and provide exceptional care you can trust. Our team is trained to handle any emergency, and we will work to relieve your pain and keep you comfortable.

What Happens If the Infection Spreads?

There is little chance that a tooth infection will spread to other parts of the body. Patients that have any of the below symptoms should call our office right away. Infections that spread can be life threatening and should be taken seriously.

Nausea
Vomiting
Fever
Headache
Change in vision
Difficulty breathing
Confusion
Swelling around the face or mouth

Pain that does not subside

What Treatment Is Available?

The treatment provided will depend on the severity of the infection. If an abscess is present, we will identify the location of the abscess, and determine how far the infection has spread. Root canal treatment may be necessary to treat an abscess if it is located inside the tooth. If root canal therapy is not enough, our doctor can perform an apicoectomy to open up the gum area near the root, and remove the infected tissue.

Other treatments may involve prescribing antibiotics to treat the infection and stop it from spreading. Our team will monitor your progress on the antibiotics to ensure they are working. If necessary, the type of antibiotics used may need to be changed, and a hospital stay may be required.

Sepsis can occur when an infection spreads, and the immune system overreacts to an infection in your blood. If this is left untreated, sepsis can lead to septic shock which can cause organ failure, or even death. Patients that have sepsis will need to be hospitalized and given special intravenous treatment.

Treating an infection is extremely important to avoid complications like sepsis. We encourage you to contact our office if you experience any sign of an infection. Let our team help relieve your pain, and get you on the road to recovery.

Interested in Finding Out More?

If you think you may have an infection, we encourage you to contact our office right away. To schedule your appointment, please contact The Foleck Center, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

Do Kids Need Dental Crowns?