Kari's Keen Knowledge

Has your toddler starting cutting his gums with his newly acquired baby teeth?  Was there blood-did you freak out?  It's ok-so did I.  

Your toddler is experiencing lots of new things right now.  Cruising, walking, babbling more, and cutting teeth.  Those little pearls that you were so proud of are now the enemy-and there's not much you can do about it.  

Your toddler is going to fall down-just like he's been doing, but this time he's going to fall and the teeth he currently has are going to cut into the exposed gum opposite them.

Try to stay calm.  Here's what you need to do:

• Stop the bleeding by applying a clean burp cloth or towel.
• Calm baby down.
• Wait until the bleeding has stopped before trying to access damage.
• Wet another clean burp cloth and put in freezer, or cover a large piece of ice with a thin layer of towel or burp cloth.  Allow your child to chew on the ice or cold towel.  Don't worry, if it hurt him, he wouldn't chew on it.  Make sure the piece of ice is big so that there's no danger of choking.

If the cut is massive, or there is a huge, deep flap of skin-if bone is showing:  take your child to their dentist immediately. 

If your child is bleeding profusely and it cannot be stopped, go to the emergency room!

Otherwise:

The cut is simple and the gum tissue will bruise, give your child some baby tylenol and spoil him some.  Massage his legs and help him relax, he could also use a nap.

Watch for fever:  it may be a sign of something more serious-if one occurs, call your doctor and be sure to explain the accident earlier.  If this happens over the weekend, call the hospital nurse first and then if necessary take him to the emergency room.

Don't be surprised to find small amounts of blood on his mattress or some on his toys.

Also, if there are any large, hard objects in your child's play area (ie. coffee table, etc.) you may want to remove them; they're prone to accidents.

When all is said and done-it's ok if you feel the need to cry a little too.  What mother doesn't hurt when her child does?