Gum Disease in Kids: Periodontal Health Matters Now

Your little one wants to be an astronaut when they grow up, but as your child pretends and plays, you hope they hold onto their childhood for as long as possible. The struggles and worries of adulthood will come all too soon. In fact, if you’re not careful, some problems usually associated with adults, like gum disease, can affect your child even at a young age. Gum disease is not as common in children, but it can be just as damaging and have a lasting impact on their overall well-being as they grow. Here is some useful information about gum disease in kids and what can be done to keep your child safe.

Symptoms of Gum Disease in Kids

In most cases, children who develop gum disease tend to get gingivitis, which is the milder form of the inflammatory condition. As a result, the most common sign of gum disease in kids is swollen, red gums that bleed easily when brushed.

However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, it likely means the disease has progressed to a more advanced level:

• Bad breath on a regular basis
• Loose permanent teeth
• Receding gums
• Changes in bite alignment

Causes of Gum Disease

The main culprit behind gum disease is plaque, a sticky substance that accumulates near the gumline and houses bacteria. If your child isn’t practicing proper oral hygiene every day, the plaque is allowed to harden, and the bacteria produce inflammation-causing acids that infect the gum tissue. However, there are other causes that can increase your child’s risk of gum disease, such as hormonal changes (like puberty), diabetes, poor diet, mouth breathing, and more.

Treating Gum Disease in Kids

The good news is that this condition, although serious if left untreated, can typically be treated quickly and easily. Taking your child to the dentist at least twice every year ensures that the disease doesn’t get worse, and the professional teeth cleanings remove hardened plaque, eliminating the source of the inflammation.

Advanced cases may require more invasive treatments like scaling and root planing, but through these periodontal therapies, the infection can be controlled, and your child’s smile restored to health.

Avoiding Gum Disease

Like many other oral problems, preventing gum disease from happening in the first place is simpler than treating it later on. Fortunately, although prevention involves a little bit of time and effort, it’s well worth preserving your child’s smile in the long term. All they need to do is brush and floss their teeth daily and visit the dentist on a regular basis. Other helpful and healthy habits include drinking more water, consuming less sugar and starchy foods, and getting fluoride treatments during checkups.

In the end, you can help your child enjoy more of their childhood by keeping their smile healthy and strong. They can learn good habits they’ll need for the rest of their life, and they can feel more self-confident as they grow from a child to a teenager to an adult and achieve their dreams.

About the Practice

Boyles General Dentistry has been serving families in and around Odessa for about 40 years. Both Dr. Franklin Boyles and his son, Dr. Stephen Boyles, are delighted to treat patients of all ages, including young children. They are also highly trained to perform periodontal therapy and other major treatments if necessary. If you think your child could have gum disease, or if they are in need of a checkup and cleaning, you can contact Boyles General Dentistry online or call the office to make an appointment.