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As parents, we are all probably a little overprotective of our little ones. And how could we not be? It is unbearable to have to see a child in pain, and even worse if the injury also involves blood. This is why a lot of parents end up taking their child to the ER when they sustain a frenulum injury.

What is a frenulum?

If you are not familiar with the lingo, the frenulum is the little piece of tissue that joins the upper lip to the gum. A frenulum tear is actually a very common occurrence, even in children. These injuries occur for any number of reasons, from accidents to aggressive brushing, and anything in between.

When a child has such an injury, a lot of parents’ inclination is to head to the ER. Most parents fear the tear will require some type of suture. While it is good to be cautious, heading to the ER for a frenulum injury will only result in time and money spent unnecessarily.

How do you treat a frenulum injury?

While it might seem like a serious injury, there really isn’t any treatment for a torn frenulum. The injury will simply heal itself over time. It is important to note that during the healing process, if you try to pull the lip back to inspect it, it will probably begin to bleed again. The best treatment is just to leave it alone.

Disclaimer: You should always use your best judgment when assessing an injury. If your child does sustain an injury to his or her mouth, inspect the entire area before taking action. If your child has a deep cut, puncture, or continuous bleeding, then a doctor or ER visit might be required.

As always, if you have any other questions or concerns about your child’s dental health, we welcome you to give us a call!

Creve Coeur Office – 314-567-1122           St. Charles Office – 636-946-5225

We love our patients! We really do. Each of our doctors studied two additional years so they could specialize in pediatric dentistry. They know the key to long-lasting dental health starts at an early age, which is why they are so passionate about helping their patients take care of their beautiful smiles.

The doctors’ main goal is to make sure their patients are comfortable, a task they don’t take lightly knowing that a trip to the dentist (especially that first one) can be intimidating. This can be especially true for children with special needs, and our staff is particularly attentive to these situations.

Proper dental care is crucial for all children (and adults).

One challenge many parents of special needs children face is having the time to get to the dentist. We are aware of the extra care needed when treating a child with special needs and often times, getting to the dentist isn’t a priority.

In all actuality, maintaining proper dental care is even more important for special needs children, as they are even more likely to encounter dental problems during their developmental years. Certain disabilities can leave your child prone to crowding, misalignment, or malformation, all of which need to be monitored and regularly cared for to prevent larger issues down the road.

Our doctors have many years of experience in treating children with physical and behavioral disabilities, so you can rest assured your child will be getting the best dental care.

We’re here to help!

We aim to provide excellent dental care in an environment your child will enjoy. Believe it or not, most of our patients actually look forward to going to the dentist! You can read some of our testimonials on our website, or stop by our Facebook page for even more feedback from our fantastic patients!

Our priority is to ensure you and your child feel as comfortable as possible and they get the care they need. We know that you, as a parent, probably have questions regarding your child’s dental health. We are here to answer them! Give us a call anytime and we’d be happy to help!

Creve Coeur Office – 314-567-1122           St. Charles Office – 636-946-5225

Dry mouth is a problem that has undoubtedly affected everyone at some point in their lifetime, and most likely, your child has experienced it earlier than they can remember.

It can be caused by any number of reasons and most often occurs temporarily from dehydration, or from a long night’s sleep. These instances are generally situational and can be quickly resolved with a cool glass of water.

What are the symptoms of dry mouth?

The most obvious symptom of dry mouth is if your child is constantly complaining of thirst. They might also describe a sticky feeling in their mouth, difficulty chewing or swallowing, or dry and cracked lips.

Most of the symptoms can occur from time to time, for varying reasons, and are no cause for alarm. However, if the symptoms persist, they could be the sign of something more serious.

What if my constantly has dry mouth?

If your child is experiencing a persistently dry mouth, it could be from an ailment known as Xerostomia. Xerostomia occurs when the glands that produce saliva in your child’s mouth stop functioning properly. If the glands are not doing their job, their mouths will not produce the saliva they need.

If your child has a persistent problem producing saliva, it can lead to other, significant health issues. Most notably, it promotes tooth decay. Saliva is your child’s first line of defense against oral bacteria, as it helps to naturally wash it off of his or her teeth.

So what causes Xerostomia?

There are a number of different causes of Xerostomia. It could be the symptom of an underlying issue such as Diabetes, Sjörgen’s Syndrome, or high blood pressure. If your child is on medication, it could also be one of the side effects, as dry mouth is a potential side effect of many medications.

What to do if you suspect your child has persistent dry mouth.

If your child is experiencing symptoms of dry mouth frequently, schedule an appointment with your child’s dentist. We are happy to assist with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your child’s dental health.

Having to face an emergency is something that no parent wants to have to deal with, yet it is also a rite of passage. Life is unpredictable, and accidents happen. While there is no way to prevent these things from happening, you can be better prepared.

Don’t Panic!

Kids are curious and clumsy, and sometimes that combination will lead to an accident. The most important thing to remember is not to panic. Your first order of business is to comfort your child, and your reaction will influence his or hers.

Assess the Problem.

The most common problems we encounter are:

• Toothache: In the event of a nagging toothache, rinse your child’s mouth with water and apply a cold compress. You will want to schedule an appointment to have the affected area x-rayed for further treatment.
• Chipped or broken tooth: If your child chips or breaks a tooth, try and locate the broken fragment, then contact your dentist immediately.
• Lost primary tooth: rinse your child’s mouth and apply a cold compress to reduce any swelling. Contact your dentist immediately.
• Lost permanent tooth: try to locate the tooth. Rinse it gently with cool water. Try to replace the tooth in its socket if possible, then hold it there with clean gauze or a washcloth. If you cannot replace the tooth, place it in a container with cold milk. Immediately take your child to his or her dentist.

Make Sure the Problem Isn’t More Serious.

If you child lost or chipped a tooth after hitting their head and lost consciousness, contact your physician or go to the emergency room immediately. Head injuries can be very serious, so assess and treat any head injuries before dental damage.

We Are Available 24/7.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the event of a dental emergency. If you have any questions, or you have a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to give us a call!