I have a 14-month-old ds, and today, I noticed a black spot on his gums, by one of his front teeth. Actually, it looked like the spot is underneath the gum, coming up onto the tooth. I was able to brush away the stuff on the tooth. But I am unsure what to do about the black spot in the gum.

(Not only am I scared that it is tooth decay, but if that is the case, then I feel like a terrible mom for letting that happen.)

Any thoughts or advice?

Could it be blood?

Is it underneath the gum? My ds had black spots in the back of his mouth under the gums before his molars popped through. Like Rachel suggested it was blood. I did some research and found out its pretty common (there is a name for it just can't think of it now) and harmless. If that is what your son has going on then it will disappear on its own before you know it.

I have a 14-month-old ds, and today, I noticed a black spot on his gums, by one of his front teeth. Actually, it looked like the spot is underneath the gum, coming up onto the tooth. I was able to brush away the stuff on the tooth. But I am unsure what to do about the black spot in the gum.

(Not only am I scared that it is tooth decay, but if that is the case, then I feel like a terrible mom for letting that happen.)

Any thoughts or advice?

My advice is to take children to a pediatric dentist for regular check ups starting at 1 year old and continuing through childhood. I take my daughter to one and they caught a shallow cavity and filled it before it got any bigger. I plan to start taking my son in for dental checkups as soon as he turns a year old.

I have known a couple of kids who have had to get multiple teeth pulled, so I believe that catching problems early is the best defense.

As the other ladies said, it may be nothing to be concerned about, but a dentist could tell you for sure and set your mind at ease.