DS has a dental problem....abscess?? UPDATE

[MissyDVC]

and I am wondering what to expect. My DS 11 has, what I believe to be, an abscess on his gum. We only noticed it today as there is no pain unless it is touched. None of the teeth hurt and the other side of his gum looks perfect. Has anyone every dealt with this, especially with a child, and what happened at the dentist? I will, of course, be calling our dentist for an appointment first thing tomorrow but DS is VERY fearful of the dentist so I'd like to be prepared for what will be happening to him when we go. We do go every 6 months for cleanings and we were just there for his last one about a month and a half ago and his check-up was perfect. Thank you for whatever information you have for me.

 

[Feralpeg]

I had an abscess like that about 15 years ago. It raised up like a blister on my gum. My teeth did not hurt. Eventually, it opened and drained. When I went to the dentist, he simply put me on an antibiotic. It turned out that mine was the result of a peg they used on an implant. I was allergic to the metal. He had to redo the implant with a different substance.

OP, I would think the dentist will determine which tooth is causing the problem. If it is a baby tooth, he will probably pull it and put your DS on an antibiotic.

 

[seven dwarfs]

I just went through this with my son (10). It ended up that his baby tooth had lost the root although it was not lose yet. His adult tooth was pushing down and the dentist thinks due to lack of room where the root was became abscessed. He had a little pocket on the outside. He had no pain on with any of his teeth but that spot was tender. We had to do a round of antibiotics. About one week after he started the dentist pulled his tooth. He is good as new now.

I did make the mistake of taking him to the pediatrician first. She put him on antibiotics and told us to drain it. Well, that didn't work since we did not fix the source. I learned my lesson to go to the dentist if it involves the mouth. Good luck and I hope it goes well for you both.

 

[klj27]

I have been through this twice with my six year old and both times he was put on antibiotics and had to have the tooth pulled. He wears a spacer now and was just put on antibiotics yesterday because of a suspected infection (didn't see us on a Saturday). I am hoping we don't have to have this one pulled too but will probably find out tomorrow at the dentist.

 

[Kimberle]

I had to have a root cannel. Everyone is different. Hopefully, he'll only need antibiotics.

 

[Mommee]

I just went through this with my son (10). It ended up that his baby tooth had lost the root although it was not lose yet. His adult tooth was pushing down and the dentist thinks due to lack of room where the root was became abscessed. He had a little pocket on the outside. He had no pain on with any of his teeth but that spot was tender. We had to do a round of antibiotics. About one week after he started the dentist pulled his tooth. He is good as new now.

DD had this happen, too. It sounded fishy when the dentist told us that was the cause, like he was just guessing randomly So I'm happy to hear someone else used that reason!
She, too, hasn't had any more issues.

 

[MissyDVC]

Ok well, it turned out that he had to have the baby tooth pulled because it was not moving and the adult tooth was pushing really hard on the root, causing the abscess. He feels great, she put him on antibiotics and said it should all be taken care of. Glad it was relatively easy and that it wasn't something that we caused or missed in his last check-up. Thank you for listening!

 

[seven dwarfs]

Sounds like it was the same thing then! Seems like this must be common although I didn't realize that when we were going through it. Glad everything turned out well for you both.

 

[Kimberle]

Glad is was something "easy"!