My 12 year old daughter broke a small piece of molar off earlier today. It's the second molar back from her bottom canine tooth. We weren't sure if this is a permanent tooth or not. Under where the small piece chipped off, there is a bulging red thing - it's not bleeding. Her soon-to-be new dentist wasn't very helpful and basically told me to wait until Monday. Her old dentist looked at her x-rays from last year and said that as of that set of x-rays, it was still a baby tooth. She went on to say that baby molars tend to become shell-like and break off as the new tooth grows under it. The tooth doesn't seem to be loose and thank God, my daughter isn't in any pain at the moment. I'll have her seen ASAP on Monday as we have a short trip planned later in the week. Has anyone had this happen to their child?? I just don't want something to go wrong and have her be in pain in the middle of the night. Of course, my husband and I have a long-awaited reunion event we are attending tonight. We have my sister staying with my daughter so everything will be fine but I'm freaking out a little.
I don't know any dentist that would brush off a serious issue, especially for a child. If two dentists said it can wait until Monday, I'm sure it will be fine. I agree with Marda - if there's no pain now, it's not likely to develop over night. I'm not sure exactly where the tooth chipped, but the bulging red thing is probably enflamed gums. Enjoy your night out!
Relax. You've had two dentists tell you that there is nothing to worry about. They are the experts. Trust them.
In my experience, and I've had several teeth break off, if there isn't pain at the time there won't be pain later. I have a couple of teeth that I've not had repaired and there is no pain.
If the dentists say it is ok I wouldn't worry. However, I would have her only eat soft foods and gently brush her teeth right after eating. If she is not in pain I wouldn't mess with it.
I forgot to add that the drug store sells temporary tooth cement for crowns and broken teeth. If she starts to feel pain I would get some.
It's not loose, she's not in pain, she's almost a teenager and neither dentist thought this was an emergency. Have hear eat soft foods only and chew on the other side. I know it's hard not to freak out, but she is not in danger and if this is a small chip of a baby tooth that will come out for her 12 year molars, not a big deal.
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Stop freaking out. If the tooth is not shaking and she is not in any pain, then rinse the area with some tepid salt water and go to your event. If something changes where you daughter will be in pain, then by all means take her to the dentist as planned.
If she's not in pain and the dentist said it appears to be a baby molar I wouldnt worry about it.
