My feed
Premium
Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

Anyone's LO had an epilus (sp?) on gum?

15 replies

Merlin · 28/09/2005 17:12

Just taken DS1 to Doctor who reckons he has this. Now got appointment with dentist. It's a sort of smallish, red cyst on his upper gum. Anyone had any experience of this? Do they just disappear by themselves or will it have to be removed?

OP posts:
Report
Merlin · 28/09/2005 17:18

.

OP posts:
Report
chicagomum · 28/09/2005 17:20

how old is ds? Does he have any teeth yet

Report
Merlin · 28/09/2005 17:21

nearly 5 yrs

OP posts:
Report
chicagomum · 28/09/2005 17:22
Report
chicagomum · 28/09/2005 17:24

is it in an area where he has teeth (ie sometimes you can get what is known as an eruption cyst over where a tooth is about to come through)

Report
Merlin · 28/09/2005 17:32

thanks for the link chicago. It's on the gum above one of his front teeth. I guess the dentist will enlighten me!

OP posts:
Report
chicagomum · 28/09/2005 17:40

I'm guessing then its still a baby tooth as he's 5ish. Did he every have a fall and knock that tooth. If so (an it could be a fall that happen over a year ago) it could be the case that the tooth has died and it is actually an abcess drainuing out through the gum. This is all speculation obviously as I haven't seen you ds.

Report
Merlin · 28/09/2005 17:47

Funnily enough he chipped the front tooth, but well over a year ago. Never caused him any problems, and the cyst is not painful, so don't think it's an abcess thankfully. He is still brushing his teeth vigorously so doesn't hurt him at all!

OP posts:
Report
chicagomum · 28/09/2005 17:50

To be honest it often isn't painful. If the tooth is dead, and the abcess is draining then there is no pressure build up (basically the pus builds up and if it doesn't drain out it causes pressure on the nerves in the area = pain)Don't worry if this is the case as the dentist may just monitor it, or give antibiotics, but because of his age he'll lose that tooth fairly soon so its unlikely the dentist would do any treatment.

Report
Merlin · 28/09/2005 17:52

r u a dentist chicago?! You seem to be very well up on this sort of thing! Would the tooth not be discoloured if it was dead?

OP posts:
Report
chicagomum · 28/09/2005 17:56

Yes I am a dentist (but as I said this is all speculation as I haven't seen the patient so to speak). Its not always the case that the tooth discolours and sometimes it does nearer the time of the trauma and then clears (the discoloration is due to bleeding and breakdown of the live tissues inside the tooth that leech into the hard tissues (dentine) a bit like a bruise hence the reason it can clear).

Report
Merlin · 28/09/2005 17:58

thanks chicago. hope it doesn't need drastic treatment. Better save up for the tooth fairy!

OP posts:
Report
chicagomum · 28/09/2005 18:00

No probs. Happy to help.

Report
Merlin · 04/10/2005 22:15

Hey Chicagomum - took DS1 to dentist today who explained it all exactly as you described!!! He's on antibiotics which he said should take care of the infection and then just wait for the tooth to come out naturally - maybe in about 12 months.

So, thanks again for your advice.

OP posts:
Report
Enid · 10/11/2005 19:20

I think dd2 might have one of these

her bottom left tooth has always been a bit discoloured

now she has a fleshy lump on the gum under the tooth next to it

have only just noticed it

Report
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.