One day, you may notice that your child has a gum flap. This is actually widely seen in pediatric dentistry so you do not need to panic. When your child’s 6 year molars come in, a flap of skin may remain over their tooth for a bit of time. Although the swelling will eventually subside, your child may experience some discomfort.
Fortunately, there are ways you can help your child feel more comfortable. Consider applying Orajel to numb the area. You can also give them a warm water rinse or an over-the-counter pain medication such as Ibuprofen to reduce the swelling. It’s important to continue to brush the area to ensure it stays clean and reduce the risk of infection.
There are several signs that may indicate your child’s gum flap is a more serious problem. These signs include:
- There is more redness and inflammation in the gum.
- There is a whitehead that looks like a pimple on the gum.
- There is swelling on the cheek.
- There is pus.
- Your child is facing a great deal of pain.
If you notice any of these signs, you should schedule an appointment at our office as soon as possible. We will thoroughly evaluate your child’s mouth to determine whether they have developed a gum infection and let you know how to proceed.
Contact Wainright & Wassel DDS
We encourage you to contact our North Raleigh dental office at 919-847-1322 to schedule an appointment for your child or ask any questions you may have about your child’s 6 year molars.