Is Your Child Scheduled For A Root Canal? How To Help Them Through The Procedure

If your child is scheduled for a root canal, they're probably a little anxious about the procedure. In fact, you might be a little anxious about it too. The best thing you can do is sit down with your child's dentist and have them explain the procedure. If your child's anxiety level seems to be on the heightened level, you might want to talk to your dentist about a pre-procedure sedative. The sedative can help calm your child's nerves so that they can be relaxed when they arrive at the office. Once your child has their root canal, they'll need to rest at home during the short recovery period. Here are four steps you can take to help your child recover from a root canal.

Prepare They're Space in Advance

If your child is going to have a root canal, they'll need to rest once they get home. You can help them recover more comfortably by having a space prepared for them in advance. Choose a place where they'll be comfortable, such as their bed or the sofa. Place a blanket and a few comfy pillows in the area, as well as a few gadgets that they might want to have nearby. It's also a good idea to fill the refrigerator with a few soft, cool foods that your child will enjoy snacking on, such as yogurt, jello, ice cream and pudding.

Get Ahead of the Pain

After the procedure, your child's mouth will be numb for a few hours. However, once the numbness wears off, they may experience some pain. To make sure your child isn't uncomfortable, try to get ahead of the pain. As soon as you get home, give your child a dose of over-the-counter pain medication. Follow the instructions on the label to make sure you give them the proper dose. Giving the pain medication before the numbness wears off will ensure that your child doesn't need to endure pain while they wait for their medication to kick in.

Watch for Signs of Infection

While infections aren't common after a root canal, they can occur. While your child is healing from their procedure, you'll need to pay close attention for signs of infection. Some of the signs include increased pain, swelling, or foul-smelling discharge from the tooth. If you see any of those signs, you should contact your dentist immediately.

Keep Up on Dentist Visits

Root canals can be painful procedures. To help your child avoid a repeat, be sure to keep up on their dental visits. Twice yearly visits to the dentist, as well as proper brushing and flossing, can help reduce the chances that your child will need another root canal later.

Contact a dental office, like Dental Studios of MacArthur, for more help.