Kids and Gum Disease: Top Six Things Parents Should Know
Every child desires for a healthy smile, for which having strong teeth is vital. While a cavity affects the tooth, gum diseases can inflamed gums and damage bones as well as the surrounding tissues of the mouth. Many people consider gum disease to be associated with only older people. However, this is not true. Gum diseases can be a problem for children, too. There are many things parents of children are unaware of when it comes to the dental health of their children.
In this article, we will discuss the six important tips every parent must know about their child’s dental health as well as gum diseases. To make this post informative for readers, the insights have been taken from Dr. Ravneet Kaur, the best dentist for children in Delhi, who is also the founder of Smiles By Dr. Ravneet Clinic. Let’s begin by understanding the symptoms of gum disease.
What are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
Healthy gums are pink and snug against the teeth. Healthy gums do not bleed when touched or brushed, and they also do not bleed when a child is chewing. The common symptoms of pediatric gingivitis include the following:
- Inflamed gums
- Red gums
- Tender gums
- Gums that bleed
- Receding gums.
What are the Important Things Parents Must Know About Gum Diseases?
When it comes to kids and gum diseases, parents are unaware of a lot of things. Let’s discuss those as below:
1. Unchecked Plaque is the Initial Problem
Dental plaque, which is a sticky film that develops when the bacteria in the mouth produce acids which break down the carbohydrates of food and drinks, is the root of cavities and gum disease. The plaque builds up, hardens and becomes tartar. When it becomes hard to remove with the help of a toothbrush, it leads to chronic irritation of the gums.
2. Kids Usually Have Gingivitis If They Have Been Experiencing Gum Diseases
Gingivitis is a common type of gum disease which occurs in children. However, it can be easily treated without requiring surgery or medications. The symptoms of it are easy to detect. In such cases, the gums of the child may look red, tender, swollen and bleed easily during brushing or flossing.
Wondering how it can be treated? It can be treated with constant brushing and flossing and by consulting a dental hygienist who can do regular checkups.
If you are looking for a dental professional for your child, consult the expert doctor, Dr. Ravneet Kaur, who is considered the best dentist for children in Vasant Vihar at her facility, Smiles By Dr.Ravneet Clinic.
3. Poor Oral Hygiene is Not Always the Cause
It is not always that poor dental hygiene causes gum disease. In both children and adults, several medical conditions can aggravate gingivitis and periodontitis, a more severe kind of gum disease. Even crowded teeth are difficult to clean and can lead to tartar. Malocclusion, irregular contact between the upper and lower jaws, can make the food stuck in the gums. Breathing with an open mouth and changing the composition of natural bacteria can lead to gum disease.
4. Gum Diseases Affects Overall Health of an Individual
The bacteria that inflame the gums could affect the heart and lungs, too. Gum diseases are linked with poor control of blood sugar levels.
5. Intensive Treatments are Required
Advanced periodontitis is uncommon in kids. But there are still chances of it existing. Gum receding from the teeth, loosened teeth, and continuous bad breath are signs of gum disease which could be either moderate or severe. The treatment for this includes deep cleaning of the teeth and gums to remove tartar and plaque. It could also involve several types of grafts, which help in restoring gum diseases.
6. Good Gum Care Should Be Included in Every Child’s Routine
Continuous dental care at home helps to prevent gum diseases in most of the children. Parents must ensure that their children floss daily. Also, parents must have their child gently brush in a circular motion and their gum line at a 45 degree angle. They must wash their teeth after every meal. Children who take good care of their teeth lead healthy lifestyles. However, if a child has any oral conditions which prevent brushing or flossing, parents must seek help from a dentist right away.
How to Improve Dental Health of a Child?
Below are some of the important tips to put your child in oral and physical health:
1. Create and Follow Good Habits: On average, it takes a few days to develop a new habit. If one makes their child into the habit of brushing and flossing their own teeth, it can make it easy for them to get into a healthy dental care routine.
2. Brush and Floss Regularly: Make sure the child brushes and floss every day without exception. Dental professionals recommend kids and adults to brush their teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste.
3. Brush and Floss Correctly: To brush the teeth properly, it is best to use a gentle circular technique along with brushing the teeth for 2 minutes. To floss correctly, wrap the dental floss around the fingers. Then, gradually move the dental floss along each tooth by making a C shape. And finally, move the dental floss up and down to the gumline.
Final Takeaway
We hope through this blog, you have understood the top symptoms of gum diseases and some important tips that can help prevent them and improve your child’s overall dental health.
To schedule your child’s regular dental cleaning checkup or to know more tips on keeping the teeth healthy, it is best to seek the help of an orthodontist. To do this, one must consider consulting Dr. Ravneet Kaur, the best orthodontist in Delhi at Smiles By Dr. Ravneet Clinic.
She specializes in providing dental treatments for both infants and children and offers treatment for pit and fissure, dental fillings, baby tooth extraction, pulpectomy and many more.
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