Managing common dental problems and emergencies

This article discusses the more common oral and dental emergencies that children and adolescents may present to a physician. Many of these problems represent true emergencies that require immediate treatment or referral, whereas others are more common and less critical problems perceived by the child's parents as needing immediate attention. The problems presented in this article fall into three general areas: gingival and soft-tissue-related problems; problems related to teeth; and traumatic injuries to the teeth, their roots, and supporting structures.