My family's dental health is important to me. Unfortunately for me, it is not as important to my little ones. Getting my kids to brush and floss on a daily basis is almost like taking on an obstacle course. I talked to my family's dentist about different methods I could try to encourage them to brush and floss on a regular basis. Some of the tricks worked, some did not. After some experimentation and talking to other parents, I was able to come up with a lot of great tips for helping kids care for their teeth. I started this blog to help other parents get creative when it comes to their kids and dental care.
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A Guide to Creatively Handling a Child's Dental Health
Telltale Signs of a Severely Decayed Tooth
Bella Snyder
Teeth that are severely decayed typically respond very well to root canals. When the pulp of your tooth becomes severely infected, your dentist will perform a root canal by removing the pulp and cleaning the inner portion of the tooth. After the tooth has been meticulously cleaned, it will be sealed. Root canals allow for the saving of the tooth that would normally require extraction. Here are some telltale signs of a severely decayed tooth that you need to be aware of so that you can quickly seek treatment from your dentist:
Drainage
If you notice a bad or unusual taste in your mouth, your tooth may be severely infected or decayed. The bad taste may be the result of pus that has collected near the root or pulp of the tooth. If the infection is not recognized and quickly treated with a root canal, antibiotics, or extraction, you may develop a systemic infection.
In severe systemic infections, you may develop a high fever, bone pain, pronounced fatigue, and in rare cases, cardiac or joint damage. Infection-causing drainage can be substantial, especially if your tooth has been destroyed by a large cavity or hole. This will allow more of the drainage to seep out of your tooth and make contact with the other teeth and soft tissues of your oral cavity.
Facial Burning Sensations
If you experience burning sensations on your forehead, nasal area, cheeks, or chin, the infection from your decayed tooth may have spread and caused inflammation or damage to your facial nerve. The facial nerve is one of your cranial nerves, and while infection-related burning sensations typically resolve once dental infections been treated, it may take many weeks or months.
In some cases, nerve damage may be permanent. If your facial nerve fails to heal after your dentist has treated your decayed tooth, he or she may recommend that you make an appointment with a neurologist for further evaluation and treatment.
If you develop burning sensations or other abnormal feelings in your face or notice a bad taste in your mouth, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Root canals are very effective in treating severely decayed teeth and are excellent alternatives to dental extractions. The sooner your dentist recognizes and treats your decayed or infected tooth, the less likely you will be to develop complications such as a systemic infection, joint pain, or damage to your heart muscle.
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