As much as they may need it, you might hesitate to have your child get pulp treatment. That the procedure is similar to a root canal leaves many parents with a bad impression. Even so, don’t trust any rumors or gossip you’ve heard; such claims are untrue myths about pulp treatment. Your Bakersfield pediatric dentist can even disprove them, showing how pulp-related therapy is good for kids. Just read on to discover four false claims about pulp treatment and why they aren’t true.
“Pulp Treatment Causes Cancer”
Some people suspect that pulp treatment causes cancer. However, this idea doesn’t hold water; the procedure does nothing of the sort.
The pulp-cancer claim only exists because of bogus, early 20th-century research. In the 1920s, a dentist named Weston Price believed that a tooth with extracted pulp would cause illnesses. The science he cited to make this argument has since been debunked by modern scholars. Even today, no vetted studies find that pulp treatment (or root canals) can cause cancer.
“Benefits from Pulp Treatment Don’t Last”
If you think pulp treatment’s benefits don’t last, you’d be wrong. The perks of this therapy can persist until a child’s baby tooth falls out naturally.
Assuming it’s done well, pulp treatment should permanently address a tooth’s infected pulp. Aches and pains the pearly white had before will stay away; any future irritation will stem from other factors. Furthermore, dentists can preserve the treatment results with a well-placed filling and a dental crown.
“Pulp Treatment Hurts”
Since pulp treatment involves the oral nerves, you could easily think it hurts. Still, this dental work actually goes smoothly and painlessly for kids.
Pediatric dentists take steps to make pulp treatment pain-free. In particular, they numb a child’s mouth with local anesthesia before starting their work in earnest. This move keeps your little from feeling any soreness or irritation during the procedure; they’ll only sense a slight pressure at most.
“Tooth Removal is Better Than Pulp Treatment”
One rumor says that tooth removal is better than pulp treatment, with extraction having more upsides. It’s patently untrue, though.
Though tooth removal can cost less time and money, it won’t help your child’s smile much. Losing baby teeth too early can make kids develop speech issues, chewing difficulties, or infections. In contrast, pulp treatment would save your youngster’s tooth, keeping it stable and steady until it falls out on its own.
The myths about pulp treatment persist, but please don’t believe them. Trust that therapy will protect your child’s smile!
About the Practice
Purdy Pediatric Dentistry is based in Bakersfield, CA. Led by Dr. Purdy and his associates, our practice takes every step possible to give kids easy, calm, and excellent dental care. We always tailor our treatments to each child’s needs, whether they’re getting a dental checkup or some pulp therapy. As such, you can trust us to help your kiddo’s grin thrive! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (661)-832-5530.