Preventing and Treating Gingivitis (Gum Disease) in Children

Recently updated

Gingivitis (Gum Disease) in Children Art WorkDo your child’s teeth bleed during brushing or flossing? Are the gums swollen, tender, or painful to the touch? Your child may have gingivitis (often called gum disease.) It is the first stage of periodontal disease and, unfortunately, it is common in children.

Healthy gums are usually pink in color and do not bleed during tooth brushing or flossing. Gums that bleed for more than a week often indicate gum disease that needs to be treated by a pediatric dentist.

Left untreated, gingivitis can cause serious issues for young dental patients. It can eventually advance to more serious forms of periodontal disease, bone loss and even tooth loss.

Symptoms of gingivitis

• Red, puffy gums.
• Bleeding gums, especially when you brush or floss.
• Gum soreness that won’t go away.
• Tooth pain or sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages.
• Bad breath that won’t go away. Plaque contains millions of bacteria that produce foul-smelling waste products.
• Inflamed gum tissue may form small gaps or pockets between the teeth and gums.

Causes
Gum disease can be caused by a number of factors, but the most common cause is poor oral hygiene. Gum inflammation happens when a naturally-occurring sticky film called plaque forms along the gum line.

Plaque contains bacteria and produces toxins that irritate the gums. If plaque is not removed regularly with proper brushing and flossing, it turns into a hard deposit called tartar. Tartar irritates and inflames the gums. Inflammation can gradually separate the gums from the teeth — forming little spaces that are referred to as “periodontal pockets.”

Older children and young adults may be more susceptible to gingivitis and orthodontic appliances make proper oral hygiene challenging.

Other causes of gingivitis in children include:

• A vitamin C deficiency or a diet lacking essential nutrients
• Teeth grinding
• Medical conditions including diabetes and systemic or autoimmune diseases
• Hormonal changes
• Certain medications
• Mouth breathing, which may lead to severe drying of the gums and teeth in the front of the mouth

Pediatric Dentistry: Dr. Sara B. Babich, DDS
116 E 84th St,
New York, NY 10028
(212) 988-4070
Web Address: https://www.nycpediatricdentist.com/