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Gum Disease and Your Child

Unfortunately chronic gingivitis is very commonly found in young children. Gingivitis is the first stage in gum disease and should be taken seriously. It is rare to find the advanced forms of gum disease in children but it does happen.

When children have gingivitis they often will experience red, swollen and bleeding gums. If these symptoms are ignored and gingivitis goes untreated, the child will develop more advanced forms of gum disease.

Older kids and teens have been known to have aggressive periodontitis in their first molars and incisors. It can cause severe loss of alveolar bone, even if they have experienced very little dental plague or calculus. Generalized aggressive periodontitis can involve the entire mouth and usually begins around puberty. The symptoms are inflamed and red gums and a very heavy accumulation of plaque and calculus. If untreated the teeth will begin to loosen.

If your child has Type 1 diabetes, Down syndrome or Papillon-Lefevre syndrome they may be more susceptible to gum disease.

Look out for these signs:

Bleeding during tooth brushing, or flossing.

Puffiness anywhere in the gum area

Bright red gums

Gums that have receded away from the teeth

Exposed roots of teeth associated with receded gums

Bad breath that is not caused by anything else and does not clear up

It is important to form good dental habits when kids are young to help motivate teens to continue these good habits. Hormonal changes that occur in the teen years put your older child at risk for gum disease. Not brushing during these teen years when they are at most risk for gum disease can lead to an increased risk for gum disease.

Parents can help their sons and daughters to have healthy teeth by scheduling regular dental exams and encouraging them to continue good dental hygiene at home.

If your child experiences any severe form of gum disease, it is important to schedule a medical exam as often times severe gum disease is a sign of systemic disease.

Certain medications can lead to dry mouth, which may put the child at risk for gum disease. Be sure to inform the dentist of all mediations that your child takes, or has recently taken.

Grinding teeth can put the individual at higher risk for gum disease as well as to cause cracking and chipping of teeth.

Gum disease can easily be passed from one family member to another through saliva, so it is important is one family member is diagnosed with a gum disease, that all family members see a dentist for a checkup.

Remember the following tips for good dental health:

Teach kids good dental hygiene

Make regular dental checkups for all family members

Be a good role model for your child by having good dental hygiene yourself.

Examine your young child's mouth for signs of gum disease on a regular basis.

You can make a difference in the dental health of your child now and in the future by encouraging good dental habits now. Good habits in their youth will encourage older kids and teens to continue these habits, as they grow, when they need them most.