When an abscess appears on the gum of a baby, parents begin to get nervous and worry, not knowing what to do. Most often, it is formed due to problems with the teeth.
If you do nothing, then the purulent lump will increase and bleed. In addition, the gums in the child will swell greatly, and pain will occur. All this will lead to the development of flux. To avoid such complications, it is better to consult a doctor immediately.
The main reasons for the appearance of a purulent cone on the gum
In medicine, such an abscess is called an abscess. Moreover, it can be observed even in young children. Outwardly, this formation looks like a small bump. Abscesses on the gums of a child of two years old are dangerous, because if left untreated, the infection will begin to spread. In advanced cases, this condition can even lead to blood poisoning.
Abscesses on the gums of a child, the causes of which are very different, cause many problems. They are formed, as a rule, due to:
- infection in the cyst-like structure formed at the site of the eruption of the tooth;
- damage to the gums with a sharp object;
- poor-quality tooth filling;
- decay of the baby tooth, which led to pulpitis.
How does a purulent lump develop?
In most cases, abscesses on the gums of a child appear due to caries. At the early stage, no symptoms occur, so the infection penetrates the inside of the tooth. When it reaches the root, toxins will penetrate the tissues, causing swelling of the gums. Since bacteria are the cause, a purulent sac is formed during the inflammatory process, which is soft to the touch.
This swelling is clearly visible in the x-ray, and you can also see the area of inflammation in the bone tissue of the tooth. In the absence of proper treatment, the amount of purulent mass inside the formation will increase until it bursts. After that, a hole in the gum will appear at the site of the swelling, connected to the inflammatory focus.
When the inflammation passes, the fistula will be delayed, but each time with a weakening of the immune system or the slightest infection, a purulent cone can form again.
Signs of an abscess
Parents begin to worry and worry, having noticed an abscess in their child’s upper gum. The photo presented above allows you to see what it is. Symptoms of this disease are very specific. At an early stage of the development of the inflammatory process, the baby may complain of a feeling of fullness and pain in the tooth area. It is at this moment that a red lump appears on the gum, which gradually grows, and pus accumulates in it. With the progression of the inflammatory process, the swelling becomes whitish, a white abscess appears.
The general well-being of a child during the formation of this formation may worsen: the temperature rises, appetite disappears, and anxiety appears. If you do not start treatment at this stage, then as a result of the accumulation of pus, the white cone will burst. After this, the baby will feel relief: the pain will subside, the mood will improve.
However, you should not think that recovery has come, since the purulent focus will remain unorganized. With a weakened immune system, the disease can be reactivated with the re-formation of a purulent cone. That's why it is so important to see a doctor, noticing an abscess in a child's gum (the photos presented in the article will tell you how such an education looks).
Possible complications
As already known, a purulent formation on the gum of a baby is an accumulation of infection. With reduced protective functions of the body or untimely treatment, negative consequences may occur:
- development of malocclusion and pathology of the formation of the jaw apparatus;
- death of primordial anlage;
- persistent complications that lead to premature tooth loss;
- the penetration of infection into nearby tissues and organs: the orbit, veins or mediastinum.
Among other things, it is possible to attach pathologies of periodontal tissue (periodontitis). The long process of the formation of an abscess can weaken the immunity of the child, which can lead to the development of allergies. If pus enters the venous system, then thrombophlebitis will occur, which can spread to the base of the skull and sinuses.
Even in advanced cases, infection of the skeletal system with the formation of osteomyelitis and septicemia, as well as blood poisoning, is not ruled out. The penetration of infections into the tonsils provokes the appearance of tonsillitis. That is why, as soon as they find an abscess on the gums of a child, do not delay treatment.
How to help a child with such an ailment?
If a child has an abscess on the gum, what to do in such a situation, not everyone knows. The first thing when you find a lump on the gum is to see a doctor. But before seeking medical help, you can not squeeze, puncture or burn abscesses on the gums of a child. They should not be touched at all, so as not to introduce an additional infection.
To the swelling on the gum of the baby, you do not need to put bags of heated salt or a heating pad. Hot compresses and rinses are also not recommended, since heat will only accelerate the spread of bacteria. A child with such a problem should not be given any medications, especially antibacterial ones.
Oral Care Rules
Be sure to observe hygiene, brush your teeth at least twice a day, use rinsing agents. It is advisable to rinse your mouth with various decoctions of medicinal plants or antiseptic solutions to reduce the number of infections. If a baby has a fever with such inflammation, then he can be given an antipyretic drug.
It is recommended to put ice wrapped in a towel or a bottle of cold water on the child’s cheek in the place of purulent formation. It is better to feed him warm and soft food, so as not to damage the abscess and not cause pain. It is better to give preference to various mashed potatoes. Even in such situations, it is useful to drink plenty of water.
With a critical deterioration in the condition of the baby, it is necessary to immediately call an ambulance. In the event that the bump does not burst, it is worth rinsing the mouth with a weak solution of salt and soda or chamomile infusion. But if it was opened, you can only hold a healing broth in your mouth for only a few seconds.
For young children, the solution is administered using a syringe. To do this, the child’s face is tilted over the sink or bath and irrigated sore spot.
How is an abscess treated on a gum in a child?
The first thing to do is to consult a dentist, since only he can assess the condition of the tooth. The specialist will prescribe effective therapy and stop the spread of pus.
It should be noted that the treatment of permanent and primary teeth is slightly different. Suppose if an abscess appeared in the area of a milk tooth, the latter is immediately removed. They resort to this measure due to the fact that it can infect the rudiments of the permanent teeth located around it. In addition, the lymph nodes can also be affected. Inflammation in them or tonsils leads to the development of chronic tonsillitis.
Eliminate abscesses on the gums of a child in the following way:
- first, the dentist carefully examines the area of localization of the cone;
- then he anesthetizes the site of the lesion;
- after these manipulations with special tools, the doctor opens an abscess;
- then the specialist cleans the cavity from the accumulated purulent mass and treats the affected area with an antiseptic.
If necessary, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. If the inflammatory process has gone far, the tooth will most likely be removed.
Oral Disease Prevention
As you know, any disease is easier to prevent than to treat later. So that purulent sacs do not appear in the child's oral cavity, it is necessary to constantly and carefully carry out hygienic procedures.
Parents will help small children in this, and those who are older should be able to wash themselves and handle the oral cavity. So that abscesses on the gums of the child do not appear , milk teeth should be brushed from the moment of teething. Now for such purposes there are many different means.
After feeding infants, they should always wipe their mouth with a sterile bandage wound around their fingers. You must regularly visit the dentist with a child. Found on the gums of the baby abscess or inflammation? Start rinsing with special solutions, of course, only after consulting a specialist.
What should I do if a lump appears on the site of an incontestable tooth?
A small swelling on the gum in the baby can occur several weeks before the molar or milk tooth begins to cut. Inside the abscess is a bluish-colored liquid or completely transparent. Such a lump is formed in extremely rare cases, while it does not pose any danger to the child.
This swelling is not caused by pathological processes, therefore, does not require treatment. Parents of the baby only need to monitor changes in the oral cavity. Such a formation on the gum does not cause discomfort and pain, even if you press it.
Bumps are removed when inflammation begins, although this happens infrequently. The pathological process is indicated by pain in the area of teething, swelling and redness of the oral mucosa, as well as fever.
Abscess incision
If an abscess bothers parents, they get rid of it. In such a situation, the dentist cuts a cyst under anesthesia and cleans the cavity of accumulated fluid. Sometimes, during surgery, the doctor also removes part of the wall of the bump, after which the tip of the penetrating fang becomes noticeable.
Remember that the abscess on the gum of the baby is a very painful formation. In order to prevent surgical intervention, it is necessary to accustom a child from an early age to oral hygiene, and also periodically visit a dental office with him.