The loss of a baby tooth is a normal part of your child's development. The permanent tooth beneath the deciduous tooth has dissolved the root structure that anchored it into place. This, in turn, causes the deciduous tooth to loosen and fall out. Some discomfort is to be expected, and your child's oral hygiene practices over the next few days must take the lost tooth into account, as your child should avoid bruising the area. A lost baby tooth will also release a small amount of blood after detachment, and this is nothing to be concerned about. But what about when the bleeding refuses to subside?
Rinse the Site
In the majority of cases, the amount of blood produced will dwindle and quickly stop. Encourage your child to rinse the site, by gently swirling water in their mouth before spitting it out. Swallowing a small amount of blood is not going to be harmful, but the taste can be extremely unpleasant. When the site refuses to stop bleeding, it can be a sign that dental intervention is required.
Control the Bleeding
Before seeking medical care, attempt to control the bleeding. Have your child gently bite down on a small piece of sterile gauze. Periodically inspect the gauze, and change it as necessary, if it should become soaked in blood. If the site does not stop bleeding, you will need to take your child to an emergency dentist for immediate treatment.
Receive Dental Treatment
While the actual loss of the baby tooth is a natural part of growing up, excessive bleeding is not. The dentist will need to rule out any possible tissue damage that has caused the bleeding, although this is more commonplace in instances when the baby tooth has been lost due to an accident, or if it was manually pulled out before it was ready to detach of its own accord. The dentist will control the bleeding and will look for any injuries to the site which can adversely affect the emergence of the adult tooth. Pain relief appropriate to your child's age can also be provided if the loss of the baby tooth is causing significant discomfort.
Prolonged bleeding after the loss of a baby tooth can indicate tissue damage, and this can hamper the growth of the underlying adult tooth. This is why emergency dental care is recommended when a lost baby tooth refuses to stop bleeding.
For further tips, reach out to a local emergency dentist.
