Your pediatrics dentist in Indianapolis, IN handles dental pain gently
Young children are not the best at using their words to communicate their various feelings. When problems occur with dental health, your child may lack the vocabulary to express distress. When a child is able to communicate feelings of discomfort due to dental pain, the underlying problem can be as simple as food lodged between teeth or as complex as an infection.
There are several underlying reasons for dental pain. Pain during the first year of life is often caused by teething, and has obvious signs. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to handle teething pain, ranging from massage with a cool cloth or teething toy to over-the-counter teething medication. Teething is a natural process through which teeth erupt from beneath the gums. The discomfort of teething can be somewhat distressing for both parent and child, causing sleeplessness and irritability.
The problem of food stuck in between teeth can often be remedied at home. Parents can use dental floss and / or a toothbrush to dislodge food particles and relieve the pressure against teeth and gums. Floss should be used carefully in order to prevent any further irritation.
One of the most common reasons for childhood tooth pain is the presence of a cavity. Tooth damage from a cavity can lead to sensitivity to warm and cold temperatures, and can also lead to intense pain if damage reaches the inner part of the tooth. Ideally, we would love to help our patients avoid dental problems like cavities through preventive care. If cavities do develop, we act quickly and gently to remove damage and restore function.
Early childhood dental care is important for a pain-free, healthy smile. With routine dental care at six-month intervals, we are able to detect problems in teeth more quickly. The early detection of a cavity leads to less complex treatment, which equals less discomfort. Maintaining regular dental visits not only facilitates optimal oral health year after year, but it also breeds more familiarity, meaning greater comfort, between child and his or her pediatrics dentist. In our Indianapolis, IN dental practice, we make children’s dental visits fun and productive.
Give your child the best chance at a healthy smile. Contact Washington Street Dentistry at (317) 333-6788.
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