Pediatric Emergency Dentist in Quincy, MA

Watch for darkening of traumatized baby teeth. It is highly anticipated that there will be a color change in any “Baby Tooth” that receives dental trauma which is due to internal bleeding inside the tooth. Because color changes in a traumatized “Baby Tooth” are expected, you should only become concerned if the tooth turns dark purple or dark blue. This could be an indication of a dying nerve (pulp). If the tooth turns yellow or brown or even grey, chances are that the tooth is injured BUT may not  warrant additional treatment. An exam and x-ray of the area may be necessary to rule out an infection or dying tooth. The typical options are to 1) extract the tooth or 2) not treat and continue to monitor using palliative care.

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There is always a chance that a traumatized baby tooth will die and most likely result in a dental abscess that will require a future extraction. If a traumatized adult tooth becomes discolored, it may need a root canal in the future. Most of the time, if the tooth requires a root canal, the tooth will start to ache and your child is likely to let you know. At that point it is important to consult with us for an evaluation of your child’s tooth’s health and long term prognosis.

Swelling is a normal part of the healing process following dental trauma. Ice should be administered during the first 24 hours to keep the swelling to a minimum. It may be impossible to persuade your child to accept icing (10 minutes on and 10 minutes off) so using ice chips and popsicles may be an alternative. Bleeding is also a normal part of the healing process following dental trauma. If unusual or prolonged bleeding occurs, place cotton gauze gently over the traumatized area and hold in place for 10-15 minutes.

Pain is a normal part of the healing process following dental  trauma. Pain is best managed with Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for dosage and never take any medication that your child may be allergic to. If pain can not be managed with over the counter meds please contact our office and speak to Dr. Shaughnessy for advice.

Also, while not being alarmed, be on the watch for infection (gum boils) in the area of trauma. If infection is noticed - call the office so your child can be seen as soon as possible. Maintain a soft diet for 2-3 days, or until they feel comfortable eating normally again. Avoid sweets or foods that are extremely hot or cold and especially those that are spicy. Also consider cutting food into small pieces to avoid excessive chewing.