Gum Disease in Children

Gum disease is often considered to be the disease entirely related to adults. However, this is not true. Even the teenagers and younger children are prone to its mild form, i.e., gingivitis, which may call for gum disease treatments for kids.

Plaque formation is the leading cause of gum disease in a child. The reason behind the formation of this plaque is the bacteria’s and food debris. With time, the plaque hardens, forming tartar. All this results in redness and swelling in the gums, symbolizing considerable damage to the soft tissue and bone beneath the teeth. Consequently, the teeth loosen.

What are the symptoms?
Gum disease scales from mild to severe. It becomes challenging for your child to realize that he is having gum disease as it is not painful at the beginning.

The on-time diagnoses and treatment may save him from a lifetime of pain. Below are the common signs of the same –

• Swollen, red and throbbing gums
• Experiencing bleeding while brushing or flossing
• Retreating gums
• Loose teeth or excessive gap between the teeth
• Constant bad breath
• Fluttering teeth
• Changed bite and jaw alignment

At a point, you may find these symptoms normal. But, you are advised to connect to a dentist as soon as you encounter them.

Common Causes:
Well, there are many habits or reasons that may spark gum disease in your child. Knowing them can help you prevent your child from an annoying issue. A few of them are-

• Some specific genes, if your family has a history of gum diseases.
• Stuck food in the gums.
• Dry gums.
• Unbalanced diet.
• Poor dental hygiene.
• Smoking.
• Consuming tobacco.
• Hormonal imbalance during puberty.
• Grinding of teeth.
• Overdose of few medicines.

How is it treated?
Treatment will vary according to the child’s symptoms, age, and other factors. It will also rely on the severity of the condition.

• Improved dental care- This includes brushing and cleaning the teeth daily, especially after consuming sugar and acids.
• Deep cleaning- This includes the removal of plaque under the gums. The treatment will also cure receding gums.
• Intake of antibiotic medicines.
• When gum disease becomes severe, your child may require surgery to overcome it. It may also include the replacement of the tissues.

Preventions to keep away the disease:
Gum disease is treatable and preventable, provided you are aware of the activities happening with your child’s teeth. Have a look at a few steps that can prevent this to happen-

• Make your child brush his teeth daily twice a day. Keep a watch on him and ensure he does it correctly.
• Give him a healthy diet.
• Avoid too much starchy and acidic food.
• Periodic visits to the dentist for dental checkups.
• Use a toothbrush of the proper size and quality for the child’s teeth.
• Check the child’s mouth for the symptoms like bleeding, swelling or redness in the gums.

Now, if you find something wrong with your child’s teeth, schedule a visit to the trusted dentist. Tell him the symptoms or the reason for your visit clearly and enquire about the best method of treatment for the same.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.