How to Prevent Gum Disease in Children

Ways to Help Kids Avoid Periodontal Disease

Oct 16, 2009 Charlina Stewart

Periodontal disease is not isolated to adults; kids can suffer from this infection of the gums too if proper dental hygiene is not practiced.

Periodontal disease causes damage to the gum tissues, and bones around the teeth. The primary cause of gum disease in kids is bacteria and plaque buildup that results from poor oral hygiene. Gum disease that’s left untreated can lead to permanent tooth loss.

Some other things that can contribute to gum disease in children include genetics, gums drying out due to breathing through the mouth, malnutrition, autoimmune diseases, and certain medications. Kids with type 1 diabetes and Down syndrome have a higher risk of periodontal disease.

Gum disease starts off as gingivitis, which is the mildest form of periodontal disease. Usually, meticulous dental hygiene is enough to treat gingivitis and keep it from progressing to the more severe form of gum disease known as periodontitis. Severe gum disease needs to be treated by a periodontist to prevent further damage to the bone and surrounding tissues of the teeth.

Signs of Gum Disease in Children

• gums that bleed with regular flossing and brushing of the teeth
• bright red gums that are swollen and tender
• receding gums
• bad breath that persists even after proper brushing and flossing

Gum Disease Prevention in Children

Most gum disease in children can be prevented with the practice of proper oral hygiene. Kids need to brush their teeth daily with a kid-formula toothpaste that’s approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). Children under the age of five don’t have the small motor control they need to brush their teeth properly, so young children should have their teeth brushed once a day by an adult to make sure it’s done properly.

Getting kids to brush their teeth for the recommended two to three minutes can be a bit of a challenge, so Colgate World of Care suggests putting a timer in the bathroom, equipping kids with a toothbrush that has a timer built in, or having them brush their teeth to the length of a two to three minute song.

When young children have spaces between their teeth, they don’t need to worry about flossing. But once the gaps close and kids’ teeth start to touch, they should floss daily, preferably before bedtime, to remove bacteria causing food particles that lurk between the teeth.

Regularly scheduled dental visits are important to maintain the health of kids’ gums, and also for the early detection of oral health problems. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children visit the dentist twice a year. Parents should also check their child’s gums between dental visits to look for signs of periodontal disease.

With proper brushing and flossing techniques, and regularly scheduled dental visits, gum disease in kids can be easily prevented.

Reference:

American Dental Association (ADA). Accessed 10-15-09

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). Accessed 10-15-09

Colgate World of Care. Accessed 10-15-09

Perio.org. Accessed 10-15-09

The copyright of the article How to Prevent Gum Disease in Children in Early Childhood is owned by Charlina Stewart. Permission to republish How to Prevent Gum Disease in Children in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Prevent Gum Disease in Kids