Call the Doctor?

[not_telling]

DS had a run-in with a stick today - literally. Another little boy was running with a stick and ran right into DS. My view of the actual collision was obscured by a sliding board but I saw DS fall backwards and then start crying. I got to him right away - it wasn't clear whether he impacted with the stick or not...until I saw blood in his saliva. I couldn't get a good view, but I thought the stick had got him on the inside of his lip. He did say the stick went in his mouth. The bleeding stopped pretty quickly and DS wanted to play again - seemed fine.

We got home and while I was making dinner DS watched some TV. After a little while I noticed the front of his shirt was very wet. He had suddenly become a total drool factory - like, non-stop. At dinner he ate some tortellini and broccoli and then blueberries and strawberries - and asked for more. So, I presume his mouth wasn't bothering him enough to stop eating.

The drool just wasn't stopping. So, we just "played doctor" - him lying back, opening his mouth wide and saying "ahhh" and me looking in with a little flashlight. And that's when I realized that the stick must have gone way back, because I saw there was a red scraped-up looking spot right above that hanging-down thingy at the back of the mouth. I'm guessing that maybe it's not comfortable to keeping swallowing all the saliva? Or does having an injury in the mouth cause excess saliva? I don't know. But, I'm wondering if this is a heal-itself kinda thing -- I can't imagine what the doctor could do for it -- or if I should at least have it looked at.

And any suggestions for helping his mouth feel better?

I can't believe the amount of drool this kid is making right now.

[Sierra]

Yes, I think you are probably right that the drool is due to discomfort or things feeling differently, though it is good he is eating. Have you tried popsicles or smoothies to soothe it and encourage swallowing?

[JBaxter]

the hangy down thing is the uvula. Not much to do for it but make him comfortable. Popcicles, sherberts, ice cream , smooties etc. unless it is REALLY tramatic injury there is nothing to be done.
** this is only the opinion of a dental hygienist w/ 4 kids but thats what I would do with mine.

A little blood mixed with saliva looks like a lot fyi

[not_telling]

Well, we made it through the night without DS choking on his own drool - hooray! Actually, the drooling didn't seem to be an issue at all once he was in bed asleep.

I was a little worried, though, at 5:30am when he got up to nurse (the one time he nurses each day now)...he wanted to nurse and was upset that DH was gonna change his diaper first. But then when he was able to nurse, it seemed like it was uncomfortable for him and he gave up pretty quickly. I offered him some of my water and he took a tiny sip and then didn't want anymore (usually he take a few good swigs). So, I was worried that he wouldn't be eating/drinking.

I took a look at the injury when we got up this morning and I don't think it looks any worse. DH took him down for breakfast and he ate his cereal and milk with banana just fine. We're gonna try to stay away from acidic things because of the sting factor. So, I guess I'll just see how the rest of the day goes. He'll think he died and went to heaven if I start offering ice cream, popsicles, smoothies, etc.

[JBaxter]

its gonna be tender for a day or so like if you poke your gum with your toothbrush ( or something similar)

We LOVE our breakfast smoothies here. Todays was organic vanilla yogurt, pumpkin ( canned) a banana dash of pumpkin pie spice and milk. Sometimes i add applesauce.

[CookAMH]

I agree that it is the discomfort of the injury. He is probably minimizing the times he swallows so he's drooling more. Mouth injuries tend to heal quickly though, so that is a plus. Looks like you are keeping an eye on it and I'd avoid giving him crunchy things to eat

I'm sure that run-in hurt!