Is Your Child at Risk of Gum Disease?

Most parents and caregivers view tooth decay as being the primary risk to their child’s teeth and think of gum disease as being an adult disease. Your pediatric dental office wishes this was the case, as it is perfectly possible for children to develop various forms of gum disease.

Chronic Gingivitis

This form of gum disease is quite common in kids. It can cause the gum tissues to bleed and to swell up and turn red. Gingivitis is an early form of gum disease. It is both preventable and fully treatable. This is provided your child receives good professional dental care and adopts a regular routine of thoroughly brushing and flossing their teeth at home. It is vital to catch gum disease at this stage and before it can develop into a much more serious condition called periodontitis.

Aggressive Periodontitis

This can develop in children and teenagers who do not have any other health or dental problems. It tends to affect the first molars and incisors and can cause severe loss of jawbone. While this condition affects permanent teeth, it is possible that bone loss around a child’s primary or milk teeth could be an early indication of this disease. Gum disease is most often caused by a buildup of plaque and calculus (hardened plaque).

But this doesn’t seem to be the case with this type of periodontitis as there are often minimal plaque deposits.

Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis

This condition involves the entire mouth and may begin around puberty when hormonal changes can increase the sensitivity of gum tissues towards bacteria. The increased level of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can also increase the amount of blood circulation to the gums. This amplifies the gums sensitivity and any reaction to the plaque.

This condition creates a lot of inflammation and kids with generalized aggressive periodontitis are more likely to have a significant buildup of plaque and calculus. Without the correct treatment, teeth can eventually become loose. There are lots of different symptoms that can occur due to gum disease. These include bleeding gums during tooth brushing and flossing or gums that bleed at other times.

You might notice their gums begin to look puffy and swollen or are bright red. With significant periodontitis, the gums can begin to recede and your child may have constant bad breath.

How Your Dentist Can Help

Every time your child visits your dental office to see one of the pediatric dentists then they will check their gums very carefully for any signs of this disease. If they see any of these symptoms then they can suggest the most appropriate treatment. They can also talk to your child about the importance of good dental hygiene, particularly during their teenage years.

During this time it is vital that they follow a good oral hygiene routine and your friendly dental team can show them the very best way to brush and floss. Early diagnosis is vital when treating gum disease. If it has been a while since your child visited a pediatric dental office then now could be a good time. Book a comprehensive checkup and professional cleaning for them.