Q:
My 12-month-old son fell and bumped his mouth, and his front tooth bled. I'm afraid he might have damaged the tooth's nerve. Should I be, and what signs can I look for to know if he did indeed damage the nerve?
A:
When a 12-month-old falls and bumps a tooth, there are a few issues we are concerned with. The tooth may get dark or loose, and that warrants an examination and sometimes an x-ray. A dentist can usually determine if there is nerve damage or damage to the permanent tooth that is developing at the tip of the root of these baby teeth. Some of the signs you can look for are darkening of the tooth, loosening, or pain or swelling above the tooth.
Gregory F. George D.D.S.
