Help - DS fell and now has chipped tooth and bruised gums - what to do now?

[Coolmama]

DS - 16months - slipped on bathroom floor and landed heavily on his front - he has a small cut on his lip which I am sure will be fine, but has now chipped one front tooth and the other has gum tissue that is now a dark purple colour - -has stopped blleding and he is sleeping, but A and E were not very helpful and I would like to know what to do now - thank you all

sympathies Coolmama - this happened to DD (18 months) a couple of weeks ago and it was horrid.

the gums went down remakable quickly actually. She didn't chip her tooth but it was very wobbly and I really though it would fall out, however it seems to be set properly and strongly again, if a little wonky! A&E did say to me to get her to drink as much water as possible.

she also bit almost through her lip in a separate incident () a few months ago and that healed quickly. There's loads of blood isn't there ?!

I got some advice on another thread - will dig it out and post the link

\link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=138&threadid=179542&stamp=060604224710\here} you are

Happened to DS. Friend dropped him on face (dont ask) and gave him such a dogging when he cried. Was furious. £ or 4 days later spotted tooth discoloured. Like bled into tooth or something. $ years on he's still gor the ttoch. Still discoloured. But baby teeth starting coming out so shouldn't be long till he's "normal"

Just keep an eye on it, if she is bothered by it and isn't eating properly then you should take her to a dentist. Chances are it will probably set again and her adult teeth will not be affected. DD fell about 3 times on her front tooth, it didn't chip but was wonky for 4 years!

Oh poor thing. Ds has fallen a couple of times and got up with blood coming out of his mouth...it's really scary isn't it. I think this kind of thing usually looks worse than it is, the mouth tends to heal quite quickly. Hope you get some advice re. the chipped tooth.

As long as the teeth haven't been forced upwards then the developing adult teeth should be fine. A chipped tooth at this age is of no concern (purely cosmetic and as we all know at 18 months they invariably are covered in food/mud drool etc etc). The lip will heal very quickly (oral tissues do) as will the bruised gum (that is why it is purple). Offer him a soft diet for a few days and ensure the food can be put straight into the mouth and chewed rather than bitten by the front teeth.

What you need to keep an eye on is if the front teeth go grey/brown or develop a swelling directly above them on the gum or he complains of pian from the teeth (and this could be over a year from now). This indicates that the nerve has died inside the tooth and may need treatment. HTH (btw I am a dentist if that reassures you).

Sons tooth did go grey brown.
His dentist wasnt bothered.
Was wobbly but firmed up and now just like others.
Except colour.

I am truly in awe of how wonderful MN is !!!! - This is the first time I have posted a "panic" meassage and I can't tell you how much better I feel by both the quick replies and the reassurance!! So thank you, thank, thank you!!