Hello Dr, My 17 month old son injured his maxillary fernulum on 13th June 2014, and was bleeding. I took him immediately to my ped. However he said bleeding will stop on it s own and sent me away. But by the end of the day, my son was bleeding profusely and we took him to emergency. The dr made a suture and the bleeding stopped. But next night, my son fell on his bed playfully before going to sleep, with a pacifier in his mouth. The suture came out and it was bleeding a lot again. We again took him to emergency and as the bleeding did not stop over 1-2 hours, the dr examined and gave him 2 new sutures. This time, the bleeding did not stop immediately. They said we should be in observation for few hours at hospital and then, if the situation does not improve, he may have to be operated. But bleeding stopped after few hours and we came home. It s a week now and he has been bleeding on and off, finally more heavily with some tissue hanging near his mouth. He is using a pacifier. Does the use of pacifier delay his chances of healing. I would really appreciate your opinion. Thanks and regards Subha
Hello, I can understand your concern. Maxillary frenulum area has very rich blood supply. Hence, it is understandable that when your son was hurt there, he experienced a lot of bleeding that was difficult to stop without suture. Yes, use of pacifier may keep interfering with the healing in the area making your child bleed from the suture and wound area on and off. It will be good for healing if pacifier use is stopped for about a week until permanent healing has occurred and there is no chance of interfering the wound. In addition, as a week has passed, I would advise you to visit the surgeon again for the follow-up regarding the infection that may have ensued in the area compromising healing and causing recurrent bleeding episodes. If that was the case, the doctor will prescribe you antibiotics after examination of the wound and the healing will ensue. I hope this answer helps you. Thank you for choosing Chat Doctor. I wish your son heals soon. Best,