Many parents panic when their children complain about something that is dental-related. They have confusion about what an actual dental emergency is. Certain issues should be treated as emergencies. There are others that can wait. This causes even more confusion. The following points highlight a few dental emergencies.

Dislodged Dental Filling

Fillings offer protection to teeth. If one falls out, it is essential to get it replaced as soon as possible. A timely response can prevent tooth decay from advancing. Children who do not get prompt dental care for this issue might end up with decay that requires dental crowns. Fillings cover a portion of teeth. Crowns fully cover teeth. The latter is usually a result of advanced decay and may also require a root canal.

Chipped or Cracked Teeth

This is a common dental emergency. Parents can save the broken portion of the teeth if they have it. Sometimes this issue is caused by trauma to the mouth and may cause bleeding and swelling. They can use gauze or similar material to stop the bleeding. Swelling can be minimized with compresses or ice packs. Parents may find this issue alarming if it occurs to a child with permanent teeth. Children's dentists can repair this issue by bonding the broken portion of the tooth to the intact portion. If the damage is severe or the parent does not have the broken portion, they will likely recommend dental crowns. 

Broken Braces

There are a variety of ways that braces can break. They can pain in the mouth when they make contact with the tongue, gums, and cheeks. Broken braces are also a choking risk depending on what part of the dental appliance is broken. Children could accidentally swallow a piece. 

Bleeding Mouth

Children may experience bleeding in their mouths if they have injuries such as biting their tongues or cheeks. The gums may bleed if there is an oral issue such as an abscessed tooth present. Issues that are caused by trauma are likely to cause. Parents can try to stop the bleeding by using gauze and schedule an appointment. If the bleeding does not stop or if there are visible cuts in the mouth, the issue should be treated as an immediate emergency. 

A children's dentist is a good resource to use when an emergency is suspected. Their staff can explain how to handle an emergency such as a knocked-out tooth. Properly handling dental emergencies offers protection to children. Knocked-out teeth require special handling to ensure that they can be reinserted.  

For more info, contact a local children's dentist.