Aiden, 5 years old, got his front tooth discolored when he hit his front teeth against another kid’s elbow while playing in the pool.
His tooth had a minor chip by the time his mother rushed to his aid. Although there was some bleeding around the gums, the tooth was still firmly fixed in its socket and had not been displaced. In dentistry, this is referred to as a subluxation injury.
People send photos of their children’s teeth, both with similar stories about accidents involving the front teeth. If you are in this unfortunate club or think you might be someday, this post is for you!
Here’s all you need to know about Aiden’s tooth and what to do if it happens to your child:
1. A gray tooth is a dead tooth. Yeah, dead. It appears discolored as a result of internal bleeding caused by trauma.
2. What do you do with a dead tooth? keep a close eye on the tooth for signs of infection, such as pain around it or a non-painful red swelling on the gums. Do nothing if there are no signs of infection.
3. If the tooth becomes infected, it must be removed. Although a root canal is an option, it is usually not advised for baby teeth.
4. Assuming there isn’t an infection, keep an eye on this gray tooth to see if it loosens at the same time as the other front tooth. This usually occurs between the ages of 5-7. If the tooth does not loosen on its own, you will most likely need to have it removed so that the permanent tooth may come in safely.
