How to Detect and Treat Gingivitis in Children?
Approximately 73 percent of children under six and 11 are affected by gingivitis in the US. Gingivitis is the prime cause of gum inflammation in response to dental plaque accumulating along the gum line. The inflammation affects the surrounding tissue and the teeth. Although gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, the condition can advance to a severe form of periodontal disease if left untreated to cause permanent damage to the gums and supporting teeth structures.
Gum disease also affects nearly 70 percent of adults in the US, making it essential for everyone to know how to detect indications of this severe infection can also lead to tooth loss besides permanent damage to the jawbone.
The Causes of Gingivitis
The causes of gingivitis are largely preventable by making some lifestyle changes. However, there are different causes for children developing gingivitis, including age, because the risk of this infection increases with age. Genetics also plays a role because if children’s parents are affected by gingivitis will likely pass on the condition to their children.
Poor dental hygiene is another leading cause of gingivitis in adults and children. The lack of proper brushing and flossing is the prime cause of gingivitis developing in the mouth. Children’s dental clinic recommends brushing twice and flossing at least once to avoid tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, plaque buildup results in this infection by irritating and inflaming the gums, besides causing them to bleed.
Hormonal changes in children, tobacco use, drugs, and stress, besides poor nutrition, also play a role in children developing gingivitis.
The Indicators of Gingivitis in Children’s Mouths
Children might not notice evident symptoms of this infection in mild cases of gingivitis. However, the most common indicators of this condition among adults and children include bleeding between the gums when brushing and flossing, bleeding gums when probed, bright red or purple gums, inflamed and swollen gums, soft, tender, and puffy gums that are painful to touch, and receding gums exposing the tooth roots. In addition, gingivitis can also result in halitosis, a condition causing children to have lousy breath.
Actions Parents Must Adopt When They Notice the Indicators of Gingivitis
Seeking early treatment from the pediatric dentist in Phoenix, AZ, is essential for parents noticing signs of gingivitis in children’s mouths. Children might encounter challenges cleaning their teeth if they have orthodontic imperfections because crooked and malformed teeth make it difficult to remove plaque and tartar on the teeth and below the gum line. The pediatric dentist provides children with a deep cleaning that includes scaling and root planing, an uncomfortable procedure but essential if children have excessive tartar buildup below the gum line.
A visit to the kid’s dentist in Phoenix, AZ, does not provide children with permanent relief from gingivitis. Instead, they need follow-up treatments for dentists besides adopting a dental hygiene routine to complement their oral care.
Children must brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush in the morning and before bed using low fluoride toothpaste until they are six, with regular toothpaste later. Flossing at least once a day is also a requirement children mustn’t be allowed to neglect.
To maintain oral health in excellent condition, children must visit their pediatric dentist every six months to receive exams and cleanings as recommended by their dentist. Using an antiseptic mouthwash for regularly rinsing also complements excellent dental hygiene practices to prevent gingivitis from aggravating into periodontal disease.
Pediatric gingivitis is not a condition that can be taken lightly. In addition to the six monthly appointments with pediatric dentists, children might need more frequent meetings, especially if they have excessive tartar buildup beneath the gum line, to help prevent the condition from aggravating. In addition, children affected by gingivitis must maintain dental hygiene as suggested by their pediatric dentist and even make dietary changes to help their dental condition.
Gum disease is a concerning condition affecting adults and children alike and the leading cause of tooth loss in the country. However, gum disease doesn’t just affect adults and the elderly, the most common category associated with this condition. Children with poor dental hygiene practices and the conditions described earlier also become victims of this mild infection that aggravates severe periodontal disease unless it receives prompt treatment from dental professionals and regular care to ensure it doesn’t return or develop into a painful condition.
If you notice the indicators of gingivitis in your child’s mouth, kindly do not hesitate to contact Desert Ridge Pediatric Dentistry providing gingivitis remedies for many children. If you seek timely treatment, you can help your child control the infection with advice from the children’s dentists at this practice.