Gum Care Awareness and Children
Did you know that September has been designated as Gum Care Awareness month? Many people don’t think gum care is something to be concerned about for their children, however, it’s possible for children to be diagnosed with gum disease. While advanced-stage gum disease is relatively rare in kids, milder stages are commonly diagnosed in kids of all ages. This makes caring for your child’s gums imperative. Failing to take care of their gums can lead to issues with a child’s oral and overall physical health. Not making gum care a priority places your child at a higher risk of being diagnosed with periodontal disease, which is more commonly known as gum disease. Leaving gum disease untreated can lead to an infection which can cause long-term issues with your child’s health.
If your child has any symptoms of gum disease, contact one of our staff members to schedule an appointment to have the issue treated promptly.
What Do I Need to Know About Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an inflammation or infection of the gum tissues around the teeth. It is caused by plaque building up on the surface of the teeth. This plaque contains harmful bacteria that will harden into tartar if not cleaned. Tartar is the cause of infections, tooth loss, and bone loss.
Gum disease is a preventable disease. You can prevent it by establishing a consistent basic dental care routine with your child. While it is preventable, there are some children who are more at risk of being diagnosed with gum disease. These kids will require some extra gum care. Some of the factors that place children at a higher risk of periodontal disease are:
- Certain genes
- Mouth breathing
- Poor diet
- Autoimmune or systemic diseases
- Diabetes
- Hormonal changes in the body, like during puberty
- Grinding of the teeth
- Certain medicines
What Does Gum Disease Look Like for Kids?
Cases of gum disease range from mild to severe. However, most children who have the disease have it in its mildest form, which is known as gingivitis. Gingivitis isn’t usually painful, and it can be difficult to tell that someone has it. In fact, your child may not even be aware that there is an issue with their gums. Some of the symptoms of having gingivitis are bleeding while brushing or flossing, gums that are red or swollen, and a changing bite and jaw alignment.
How Can I Teach My Child to Practice Great Gum Care?
Preventing gum disease can be as simple as establishing a daily dental care routine at home with your child. By teaching your child to brush twice a day and floss once a day, your child will be able to remove built up plaque from the teeth. This will put your child at a lower risk of developing the disease. It also reduces their risk of developing other dental health issues.
If your child is young enough to take a bottle, you should refrain from giving him or her that bottle at bedtime. Letting children keep a bottle in bed with them leads to tooth decay and gum disease.
Pacifiers should be cleaned and sanitized before they are given to your child. The bacteria and germs that stick to pacifiers can also cause gum disease and tooth decay.
Having your child see the dentist regularly is also important. This allows your child to become comfortable and at ease while at the dentist. It also allows your child’s dentist to catch any potential issues early on when they are easier to treat.
The top three things that you can do to keep your child’s oral health in top-notch shape is to have your child brush twice a day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride, floss once a day, and see a dentist in Virginia Beach on a routine basis so that cleanings and checkups can be done. At your child’s checkups, his or her dentist will be able to find early signs of gum disease. Following these three basic steps can help prevent gum disease from a having a negative impact on your child’s health.
If your child has any symptoms of gum disease, contact one of our staff members to schedule an appointment to have the issue treated promptly.
If My Child Needs Gum Care from the Dentist, What Types of Treatment Are Available?
Most children have mild gum disease, which can typically be treated with a professional cleaning and by brushing and flossing at home. These treatments will get rid of the problem while also prevent the gum disease from coming back.
A child with a more advanced form of gum disease will need to have a deep cleaning or scaling and root planing performed by his or her dentist. These procedures will treat the infection and smooth out any damage caused by the disease. The dentist will also work to encourage the gums to reattach to the teeth. Severe periodontal disease may require surgery to repair the gums, as well as a course of antibiotics to treat infection. Our practice can treat gum disease in any of its stages. We look forward to helping your child get his or her oral health back on track.
Your Pediatric Dentist in Virginia Beach Can Help You Care for Your Child’s Gums
We want your child to receive high-quality gum care. At our practice, we can treat a variety of dental and oral health issues. Our team of experienced dentists can offer you tips and recommendations for an effective at-home dental care routine for your child to establish.
While you may be tempted to put off treatment, leaving gum disease untreated can have a negative effect on your child’s oral and physical health. Some of the complications from untreated periodontal disease can be severe and lifelong.
If your child has any symptoms of gum disease, contact one of our staff members to schedule an appointment to have the issue treated promptly.
