It’s a great thing for parents to be concerned about their children’s teeth, but gum health can often be overlooked. Gum disease slips under the radar, but it can be every bit as problematic as cavities. At Sycamore Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Sarah and Dr. Peter are here to help you understand how gum health plays a major role in your child’s overall well-being.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is what we call an infection of the tissues that support the teeth. It typically starts as gingivitis, which causes red, swollen gums that may bleed during brushing or flossing. If left untreated, it can progress to more serious forms of gum disease, which can damage the soft tissue and even the bone supporting the teeth.
Kids can be vulnerable to gum disease, even though it’s commonly associated with adults. Mild forms like gingivitis are fairly typical in kids.
Understanding Gum Disease in Kids
Symptoms of gum disease can be bewildering because they can be easily written off as normal brushing irritation or the result of teeth erupting. Your child might not even complain about any kind of pain, so it can be tough to discern. Try to be aware of the following:
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Bleeding during brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath
- Receding gums or changes in how teeth fit together
- Sensitivity around the gumline
If you notice these signs, it’s possibly time to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarah. It’s best not to wait—remember that early treatment can prevent the condition from progressing and causing more serious issues.
What Causes Gum Disease in Children?
- Usually, gum disease is a result of plaque, a sticky layer of bacteria that forms if it isn’t cleaned away, which can irritate and inflame gums as a result. There are some other factors that can greatly increase your child’s risk of gum disease:
- Genetic Predisposition: Kids with a family history of gum issues are naturally more likely to suffer from them.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Not brushing and flossing regularly or thoroughly is probably the number one source of gum problems..
- Diet: Eating too much sugar or consuming lots of starches can also fuel bacterial growth.
- Mouth Breathing: This habit dries out the mouth and gums, increasing susceptibility.
- Certain Medications: Some medicines reduce saliva flow and also cause dry mouth, elevating the risk.
- Hormonal Changes: Pre-teens and teenagers may experience gum inflammation linked to hormonal fluctuations.
How Can You Prevent Gum Disease?
For our patients at Sycamore Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, preventing gum disease in your child comes down to adopting simple, consistent habits in their dental routine. Some of these can be difficult to instill, especially at first, but with repetition (and a little out-of-the-box thinking), your kids will get the hang of it!
- Maintain Regular Dental Checkups: Regular visits with Dr. Sarah every six months are very important for staying on top of dental health. Our professional cleanings help remove plaque buildup, and our exams detect early gum issues before they escalate.
- Establish a Solid Oral Hygiene Routine: Children should be brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once a day. Young kids will probably need your assistance to help them adopt the right technique.
- Healthy Diet Choices: Committing to reducing sugar intake and promoting healthy snacks like fresh fruits, vegetables, and cheeses can seriously decrease gum disease risks.
- Educate Your Child Early: Make dental care fun and informative. Use educational tools like brushing charts, timers, and even reward systems to help your child appreciate good oral hygiene.
Treatment Options at Sycamore Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry
When your child visits Dr. Sarah, she’ll be able to take a look at the gravity of their symptoms and recommend some solutions.
- Professional Dental Cleaning: Regular cleanings remove tartar and plaque buildup that brushing and flossing alone can’t address.
- Improved Oral Care Routines: Dr. Sarah will demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques customized to your child’s needs.
- Mouth Rinses: Many kids can benefit from special rinses to help reduce bacteria and inflammation in the mouth.
- Scaling and Root Planing: We can also look at a potential need for a deeper cleaning treatment that addresses more advanced gum disease by removing tartar from beneath the gums.
Taking Care of Business
Gum disease is one of many perfectly common issues that can arise with kids’ dental health, but parents shouldn’t be discouraged! There are many angles we can approach it from to make sure symptoms are resolved and do not worsen over time. Contact our Sycamore office and schedule your appointment with us. We hope to see you soon!