An eruption cyst occurs when a baby’s teeth are beginning to emerge through the gums. The teeth form inside a fluid-filled enclosure within the jawbone, and if there is accumulated leakage, a hematoma will appear. This can be quite frightening to a parent if they aren’t aware of what they are looking at. Your Ankeny dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord, offers answers to frequently asked questions on eruption cysts.
Eruption Cyst FAQs
- What color is an eruption cyst? Eruption cysts can appear in different colors. Bluish-purple, dark red, brown, and translucent are the most common color descriptions.
- What exactly is an eruption cyst? In the simplest terms, an eruption cyst is nothing more than a colorful hematoma (i.e. bruise) on the gingival tissue (gums).
- How should eruption cysts be treated? Most eruption cysts don’t require any treatment and the bruise will heal in a matter of days. Generally, your baby won’t even feel any discomfort beyond regular teething aches and pains. Occasionally, the cyst will create a blockage so that the tooth is unable to emerge. This is rare, but easily remedied with a small incision made by your dentist, so the tooth is free to come through the gums.
- If my baby needs an incision to help their tooth emerge, will it hurt? Usually, the procedure will be done under local anesthesia to minimize or completely eliminate discomfort.
- Since eruption cysts are not dangerous, should I just ignore them? Always err on the side of caution when it comes to your child. If you see any odd marks, bumps, lesions, or anything unusual in your child’s mouth, call your dentist for peace of mind.
Contact Your Ankeny Dentist for all of your Family’s Dental Needs
Raising kids can be challenging, and even frightening when health issues arise. Establishing your children with a pediatrician and a family dentist are paramount, so that you’re ready to deal with any emergencies that arise. Dr. Peddicord and our team at Peddicord Family Dentistry are here to help. If you have any concerns about the dental health of anyone in your family, call our Ankeny dentist office today at (515) 963-3339. Peddicord Family Dentistry proudly serves patients in Ankeny, Cambridge, Sheldahl, Maxwell, Collins, the 50021 zip code, and surrounding communities.