Any dentists about ? Gum injury.

[MelanieWiggles]

DS1 walked into a plate glass window yesterday. Thankfully no major injuries but he banged his mouth and a piece of gum above his front tooth has split and is hanging down (see picture). Does it need a stitch ? We are on holidays abroad at the moment so finding a dentist is not straightforward. Would welcome any views.

[TheFirie]

Is it the part covering partly the tooth? More than a part hanging it looks really swollen. What about the tooth? Are you in EU? Even without travel insurance you can be seen for free in a A&E.

DS1 feel on his mouth when he was 2 and his bottom teeth went all the way though his skin under his lip. Blood was pouring from everywhere inside and outside his mouth. We went to A&E but they just cleaned the wound saying stitches are rarely done inside the mouth unless alf the tongue is cut.

[MelanieWiggles]

Yes - it would normally cover the tooth. It's a lot less swollen today and the piece that was cut seems to have shrivelled a bit. We are in Italy - we have insurance and an Ehic so I might bring him to get checked just in case. Thanks for replying.

[Maybenot321]

I'm a dentist, and wouldn't feel confident to advise you, as the photo is too blurred. If it happened over 24hrs ago the gum could already be granulating together well without further intervention, otherwise than keeping it clean.
Definitely have it checked out through, the overriding worry-more so than the gum injury- is that he could have banged that tooth/adjacent tooth, which could cause long term issues.
A UK dentist would usually X-ray those front upper teeth after that sort of accident. (Looking for root fractures )
Good luck x

[Maybenot321]

other than not otherwise

[MelanieWiggles]

Thanks Maybenot. Do you think it could wait until Monday ? We are flying home Saturday.

[Maybenot321]

I think you should try to have it looked ASAP. It's really difficult being abroad though.....what an awkward situation.
Can he bite his front teeth together as normal? Any mobility, pain from those teeth next to the gum injury?
If all no to above questions, more reassuring but would advise soft diet for a week, to be on safe side.

[TheFirie]

Dentist in Italy will not be covered by the European health card as dentistry is something not covered by the national health care system. Call you health insurance now to activate your policy so if you need to have him seen the paperwork is already done.