Tips For Parents About Baby Tooth Displacement

Between recess, play time, and sports, kids are on the go a lot. All of that activity increases their risk of different types of injury. One common risk to toddlers and young kids is a dental injury. Even at home, new walkers can slip and fall. If that fall leads to striking their face on the floor or another object, they may injure a tooth. If your child has struck a baby tooth and pushed it up into their gums, here's a look at what you need to know.

Don't Panic If It Bleeds

Dental gums are blood-rich tissue, so they bleed easily with any kind of physical impact or trauma. Many parents find this startling the first time that their child injures their mouth. Moderate bleeding is perfectly normal for dental injuries, but it should stop after about ten minutes of applying direct pressure to the area. If the bleeding persists after ten minutes, you should call a dentist right away.

Check the Position Of the Tooth

When a tooth gets pushed into the gums, it can move in one of a few ways. Sometimes, it slides directly up, while other times it can get pushed backward or forward. Look at the placement of the tooth. If it's pushed forward or backward, it might be possible to adjust it. Don't try to do it yourself, though - you might damage the tooth, the gums, or the root.

For a tooth that's pushed up into the gums, there are two primary treatment methods. For minor shifting, your child's dentist may suggest that you just leave it as it is until it naturally falls out to allow for the adult tooth to come in. If it's pushed too far in, though, it may need to be extracted to preserve the adult tooth behind it. To determine this, your child's dentist can do an x-ray to assess the placement and condition of both teeth. If the tooth is more than slightly out of place, call the dentist and inquire about this x-ray and evaluation.

Expect Some Discoloration

When a tooth is displaced, it can cause root damage. Since the root is a key component of the tooth's health and color, you'll notice that the tooth may discolor. It might turn yellowish in color if the dentin hardens inside the tooth. In some cases, it could turn grey, pink or black. This usually indicates that there's bleeding inside the tooth, which needs to be checked out by a dentist.

Consider A Spacer After Extraction

If the dentist suggests extracting the tooth, talk with him or her about having a cosmetic dentist insert a spacer to preserve the spot for the adult tooth to come in. This ensures that your child's remaining teeth don't shift and close up that space, leading to crowding and a lack of space for the adult tooth that should come in later.

For family and cosmetic dentistry, contact a company such as Adams Dental Center. 

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