Ds's front tooth is about to fall out, and it is turning dark. Should I be concerned? It is soooo loose, really, just hanging there(he won't let me pull it out). Yesterday I noticed it was turning a little darker. Is this because it is about to fall out? With all the teeth my two boys have lost, this is a first for me. I'm wondering if this is common, or if I should call the dentist.

By Debbie on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 08:55 am:

bump...has anyone had this happen?

By Kate on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 09:05 am:

Is it a top tooth? It's probably filling with blood that is dripping down into it as it dangles and the new one erupts. If I'm right, it's nothing to be concerned about.

By Kaye on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 09:36 am:

I think the blood dripping into could be one option. The other option is the tooth could be dying (getting no blood..lol). If someone gets hit in a tooth and it doesn't fall out, often it will turn grey and die, with a permanent tooth this would be a huge deal. With a baby tooth, I would simply tell him it needs to come out today, that way it doesn't damage the real tooth under (not sure if it can, but I wouldn't take the chance).

By Bobbie~moderatr on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 10:02 am:

I am assuming this is a baby tooth.. I am also assuming that the root has been detached, thus no blood flow and it is hanging by what is left of the tooth inside the gum line... You know how the edges of the tooth can be long and deep inside the gum.. Which often causes more issues than the root itself when you pull them... I would try to explain to him that it could cause his adult tooth to have issues (which I doubt it will) but a good sense of fear has a way of making them do what you want them to do, doesn't it??? LOL I doubt it will have any effect on the adult tooth, as far as rotting it but I would encourage him to get it out non the less.. It can effect the growth of the adult tooth making it come in out of line and he could swallow it a choke on it if it is as loose as I am assuming it has to be for it to be changing colors... Tell him that if he swallows it the tooth fairy won't leave money because he has to have the tooth to get it...

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 10:55 am:

Sounds like a tooth that is dead/dying. Give him an apple - biting into it might just make that tooth come out!

By Debbie on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 11:33 am:

It is a front, top, baby tooth. It is just hanging by one side this morning. I think it is turning grey because it is dying. I can actually see his adult tooth under it. He actually let me try and pull it out this morning, but I couldn't get it out. He said he is going to work it with his tongue today. LOL. Yesterday, we tried an apple and corn on the cob! If it doesn't come out in the next day or two, I will call the dentist, so they can pull it out. It is really starting to bug him. I don't know how he can stand it.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 05:45 pm:

I yanked my own teeth out. I never could have waited until they just let go, on their own!