Question:

My almost 6 month old baby, who already has the bottom teeth for longer than a month, has his gum on the area of the top teeth purple and swollen (but only the right hand one). Is that normal or is there something that should be checked? Thank you

Answer:

It sounds like your baby has a tooth ready to erupt at the area where you see the swollen, purple area.  This is known as an “eruption hematoma” which means that there is some bleeding (bruising) in the tissue sac that surrounds the erupting tooth.  It is not a problem and will disappear after the tooth erupts.

For more information:

Go to the Dental and Oral Health (Children) health topic.