I think DD tore the little flap of skin between her two front teeth

[sarahmck]

16-month old DD was just standing at her toy crate and toppled into it, hitting her head on the opposite side. When I picked her up, she was bleeding quite a bit. I nursed her and then tried to figure out what was bleeding. It looks like the little flap of skin that connects her upper gums to her front lip has torn. It's hard to get her to let me look, though.

She's acting totally fine now. She recovered just as fast from this as she would from any fall worthy of crying about.

Do I need to have this seen to or will it just heal? Can I still brush her teeth?

Thanks.

[HeatherKae]

I think it'll be fine. I'd still brush her teeth.

I actually had to have that skin surgically removed as mine was too large and caused a huge gap between my two front teeth. My brother's was just the same but once while playing WWF with him, I bashed his head into a coffee table (Hey, I was only 5) and his tore as a result. No oral surgeon needed for him.

I wouldn't worry. Just keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't get infected. It should heal quickly. The mouth usually does.

[JBaxter]

Usually they dont need to be seen. Yes brush her teeth but be super gentle in that area. The mouth heals pretty quickly but it will be tender for a couple days. that little piece of skin is called a labial frenum. hope your little one feels better soon.

[RomanGoddess]

My DD has done this twice. The skin is called the frenulum and no, there is nothing to worry about. You can't do anything about it anyway. It's not like you can put stitches there.