Banged her tooth :(

[Hector]

Is there anything I can do to stop my DD's front tooth from blackening??? I am stressing now, thinking I should have taken her to a dentist (but couldn't afford it). I did take her to GP when it first happened as it was bleeding and wobbly (she is 2) and they said there was nothing that could be done.

That was 2 weeks ago and although it settled back into the gum a wee bit crooked, it was fine - until 2 days ago when I realised it was darkening. I know there are a zillion worse things that could happen to my child, but this is such a silly little thing (caused by such a small accident) and it means all her school photos, Christmas photos, everything, are all going to have her with this black tooth...I know it's shallow but I am heartbroken :( Plus what about when she starts school and kids start making fun of her for having a black tooth???

:gloomy: So I am just wondering if there is anything I can do?? Should I have gone to the dentist - everyone kept telling me they wouldn't do anything for a baby tooth. What about whitening stuff? Not that I'd bother at this age, but maybe when she's older?

[Roxy]

First - stop stressing!

I carted DS off to the dentist about 2 months ago now for the same thing - his tooth had discoloured, from knocking it on who knows what.

Our pead dentist said that teeth can bruise and discolour. If it's just bruised, it will take about 6-8 weeks for the bruising to heal and the tooth to go back to normal (which is thankfully what seems to be happening with DS's tooth).

If it doesn't go back to normal colour after 6-8 weeks, then the tooth nerve has more than likely died, and then it will need to be removed.

My suggestion would be to keep an eye on it for the next 6 weeks, and see how it goes. If it changes back to normal, then it's all good. But, if in that time she complains, or gets a fever for no reason then the tooth may be abcessed (this was the advice from our dentist) then take her to the dentist straight away. Also, if it doesn't go back to normal colour then take her to have it looked at.

HTH...