Falling is quite normal for children. Preschoolers and early elementary school students will test their physical prowess when playing with other kids in the playground and some may discover their balance is not the best during these developmental years. All of this rough housing and indiscriminate play may accidently lead to hitting a tooth loose or worse, chipping a tooth. Don't panic should your child chip a tooth or two, level heads will prevail and it is all quite normal. Most pediatric dentists in Levittown will see a handful of children during the school to fix a chipped tooth as a dental emergency.

Experts from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry reassure parents during the month of February, National Children's Dental Health Month, that a chipped tooth in children and teenagers should not be taken seriously but not to fear as most incidents can be easily restored.

Below are some of the common chipped tooth occurrences:

  1. Small chips in outer enamel – Looks can be very deceiving with chips to the outer tooth and these smaller chips may not be too painful for your child. Most pediatric dentists would just attempt to smooth over the chipped edges. Filling the chip in may be a waste of time when treating baby teeth.
  2. Much larger fractures – Depending upon the depth of the tooth fracture, it might become sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. A composite restoration may be required by a pediatric dentist to seal the chipped tooth's dentin later.
  3. Pulp penetrations – A fracture that reaches the pulp layer will need immediate attention. Bacteria can enter the pulp and will eventually cause more problems. All pulp penetrations should be treated as a kids dental emergency in Bucks County.

Can a Chipped Tooth Cause a Cavity?

It is always advisable to minimize the risk of cavities in children and the exposed tooth enamel may be more susceptible to bacteria. Nerve and dentin exposure can also be a bother for children as it can cause episodic pains when stimulated with hot or cold substances. Tooth sealants for kids may be advisable should thinner enamel be the result of a chipped tooth. General dental practitioners may find it uncomfortable dealing with children. A pediatric dentist in Levittown or a childrens dentist in Langhorne undergoes special training after dentistry school and are better equipped to handle these kids dental emergencies.

For minor cracks – a kids dentist in Pennington NJ may just lightly polish the rough affected parts. However, further attention might be given especially if the child's tooth starts to darken; this can be a sign of infection or that a nerve had died as a result of the trauma.

A broken crown and serious breaks that encompass a larger surface area may need an immediate attention, require an onlay and we recommend you select the best kids dentist Philadelphia you can find for these more serious challenges if they are beyond the scope of your pediatric dentist.

Author's Bio: 

Tom is the marketing director for Growing Smiles in Floral Vale, voted the best kids dentist in Philadelphia 2012. This childrens dentist in Langhorne is focused entirely on pediatric dentistry and sees her fair share of kids dental emergencies in Bucks County PA.