My 4 year old daughter fell when she was 2 1/2 and hit one of her top front teeth, which caused the root to die and the tooth to become a little gray. The tooth has been fine otherwise and the dentist recommended to monitor it. Just yesterday we noticed that there is an abscess in the gum right over the tooth and we immediately took her to the dentist who recommended pulling the tooth right then and there. Upon further questioning, the dentist stated that we could give her antibiotics to remedy the abscessed infection which "could" come back. The dentist was strongly recommending to pull out the tooth because "it is a baby tooth anyway".
I explained that given that the infection might or might NOT come back, I would like to give it a chance to get the abscess under control before just pulling the tooth. Given that my daughter is only 4 years old, it could be another 3 years before she gets her permanent tooth. The dentist said that keeping the dying tooth there could affect the growth of her new tooth, but I don't think that is an issue because my daughter will need braces anyway since she has an overbite due to her sucking her thumb at night.
My daughter is otherwise very healthy and had never taken antibiotics before. She has no pain related to the tooth and is completely OK with it either way. She is not afraid of the dentist, actually curious about it. I am in favor of trying to save the tooth as long as possible and monitoring closely for any new infection.
My question to you all is whether you think that I did the right thing by getting her on antibiotics and wait it out or should I follow the dentist's recommendation and pull the tooth now. Two other dentists in her office agreed with her. Any dentists or wise moms out there who can give me your opinion? Thank you!
Thanks so much for your responses. Just wanted to add that after I talked with the dentist, she got X-rays of the area and found that the infection is localized to just that small area and that there is no other decay in that tooth on in any other. Also, there is indication that the permanent tooth is already on its way. At least some good news, but since I am out of town and my husband is the one who is dealing with the situation, I chose to follow a conservative approach until I am able to assess the situation in person. Thanks so much to all of you who responded. I will be very grateful for any additional comments.
infections with baby teeth can cause damage to the adult teeth, and that damage is forever! If you aren't going to pull it now watch it very very closely and if the infection comes back get it pulled right away. Braces or not later, you don't want to risk that adult tooth needing pulled when it comes in.
I've personally seen this EXACT movie.
The dentist rec'd pulling.
I insisted on trying antibiotics.
They didn't work.
The dentist advised that the dead tooth could cause permanent damage/discoloration of the "big" tooth if left alone.
We had it pulled. My son was almost 5.
He turned 8 in March and the new tooth JUST descended.
It's perfect. No regrets.
She pulled it with novacaine. He did great.
(I didn't think he could look any cuter than he did with the O. front tooth for OVER 3 YEAR--but he does!)
I think you did the right thing. If the infection comes back, however, I think you should pull it immediately. Your child is 4, you should absolutely take the course with the least resistence right now and that is an antibiotic. Hopefully it works and she doesn't have to go through that, but if she does, it will be okay.
I just thought I would add that my niece had her front teeth-both of them-pulled due to decay. She was about 4 or so at the time and it was bad enough that the decay could have spread to the permanent teeth. I think her front teeth are starting to bud now-not sure though. She may need braces when she is older but at least the teeth will be healthy.
I would go with the dentists recommendations. I would not want to risk
an abscess coming back.
I feel for your little one! It will be hard either way when she is five, but honestly, I would pull the tooth. You don't want to ruin her 'permanent' tooth, that would be worse.
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Just a mom's opinion:
My son was ice skating on my freshly mopped kitchen floor when he was 4 years old, fell and hit his face on the floor hard enough to eventually die. We waited nearly 8 months to have it removed but it's now been 16 months and he still does not have a new tooth and bugs me constantly about it coming in. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer here as long as the infection is taken care of and your little one is ok with the tooth.
The rot can spread deeper into the jaw and affect the adult teeth developing beneath it.
The root is already dead which might affect the circulation to that area and if the blood isn't circulating well, I'm not sure how well the antibiotic will work.
With a dead tooth, the infection can form on the inside and underneath and there's no way to see it without an xray - makes it very difficult to look for signs of infection.
The fact that an infection has been there long enough to abscess means it's probably been there a long time and may have already caused damage.
I'd have it pulled and she might need a spacer to hold the other teeth in place till her adult tooth emerges.
Pull the tooth it's not worth the risk and she's going to be toothless throughout her childhood anyway. If the tooth is grey it doesn't look good anyway so u might as well be safe an absess can be very dangerous.
I would pull it. This can cause problems to the tooth waiting to come out.
