Gum Disease Is More Common in Kids Than You Think!

Good oral health must be taught to kids early in life. Regular visits to a skilled and experienced pediatric dentist will keep their teeth and gums healthy. A common gum disease in kids that parents need to tackle is periodontal disease. It is a bacterial infection where the gums become red and swollen. It can become severe and destroy the structure of your child’s teeth and gums if not arrested in time.

Causes of periodontal disease in children

Poor oral health and dental hygiene cause plaque to accumulate inside the mouth. Plaque is the primary cause of periodontal disease or its mild form, known as gingivitis in children. When it gets on your child’s teeth; the bacteria stick to the teeth. When this build-up becomes complex, it becomes tartar, also known as calculus.

The need for medical intervention

Parents should remember that oral care and healthy teeth go beyond flossing and brushing. Genetics and certain bad habits can cause problems later if they are not arrested early. For instance, some common issues can be occlusion (where there is a misalignment of the teeth), grinding, wisdom teeth, and overcrowding. These are some issues that need correction early in life to prevent complications in the future.

Who is at risk for periodontal disease?

The risk for periodontal disease in kids is high because of the following:

• Certain genes
• Food getting stuck in their gums
• Poor dietary habits
• Diabetes
• Autoimmune diseases
• Breathing through the mouth results in severe drying of the teeth and gums.
• Hormonal changes in the body, like puberty.
• Specific medications lead to the overgrowth of their gums.

Symptoms of periodontal disease in kids

Most children do not even know whether they have periodontal disease, as it is painless. In its mildest form, it is called gingivitis. Its common symptoms are bad breath, receding gums, accumulation of pus in the gums and between the teeth, bleeding while flossing or brushing, separating or losing teeth revealing greater than common space, and a change in the jaw alignment and bite.

For a diagnosis of periodontal disease, your child might need some x-rays along with an assessment of family history and dental care.

Children should be taken to the dentist every six months

Specialists from Dublin Dental Care guide parents to take their children for dental check-ups every six months. These visits may become more frequent if the child has an oral complication. Besides regular oral check-ups, parents should follow up on the correct home care for good dental habits at home.

Skilled and experienced dentists make the child comfortable

Visiting the dentist can be scary for most kids; however, good clinics ensure their dental check-ups are enjoyable. Skilled dentists ensure their teeth are cleaned and polished to look shiny and lovely. Kids are taught good home care and dental habits so that they can carry them into adulthood. Dentists also guide parents on how to limit their child’s intake of their favorite sweets, foods, and drinks to prevent cavities in the long run.

Periodontal disease can happen in children as young as four, but it is more common in teenagers and those entering adulthood. A lack of brushing and flossing usually causes it; however, its effects are worse when combined with poor diet or genetic factors. Poor oral hygiene habits can result in plaque buildup, creating an environment for bacteria to thrive. The good news is that periodontal disease is highly treatable with the help of a pediatric dentist. They can diagnose and develop a treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs. Treatment usually involves deep cleaning and removing plaque, tartar, and infected tissue around your child’s teeth and gums.

In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the damage caused by periodontal disease. The best way to avoid any of these procedures is through prevention. Encourage your children to practice good oral hygiene habits from an early age and have them visit their pediatric dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. That way, they can keep their teeth and gums healthy and prevent the onset of gum disease.

7 Steps to prevent periodontal disease

1. Teach your child good oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing twice a day for two minutes each time.
2. Ensure your child visits the dentist every six months for regular teeth cleaning, check-ups, and assessments.
3. Limit sugary snacks and drinks in your child’s diet.
4. Encourage your child to drink more water and chew sugar-free gum between snacks or meals.
5. Make sure your child uses the right toothbrush and toothpaste suitable for their age group.
6. Have your child wear a mouthguard while playing contact sports like hockey, football, etc., to prevent any damage to the teeth.
7. Educate your child on the importance of healthy teeth and gums by setting an example with their own oral care routine.

By following these steps, parents can help to prevent their children from developing periodontal diseases early in life. With proper dental care and regular visits to the dentist, your child can enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Dental professionals from Dublin Dental Care are experienced in treating children’s dental problems, providing them with the best possible care to ensure a healthy and confident smile for their kids. We understand how important it is for parents to provide their children with the best dental care available and we strive to exceed expectations in providing the highest quality of care for your children.

Conclusion

Parents need to be proactive when it comes to their children’s dental health and make sure they receive regular check-ups at the dentist. Poor oral hygiene habits coupled with other factors such as genetics, poor dietary habits, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, hormonal changes in the body, and certain medications can increase a child’s risk of developing periodontal diseases. By teaching your children good oral hygiene habits from a young age and encouraging them to visit the dentist every six months, you can help protect their teeth and gums for years to come. At Dublin Dental Care, our team of highly qualified dentists provides the highest quality of care to ensure that children can enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Contact us today to book an appointment for your child. ​​ ​

​​ ​​​Happy Smiling! :)​​​​​​​

Gum Disease Is More Common in Kids Than You Think!

Good oral health must be taught to kids early in life. Regular visits to a skilled and experienced pediatric dentist will keep their teeth and gums healthy. A common gum disease in kids that parents need to tackle is periodontal disease. It is a bacterial infection where the gums become red and swollen. It can become severe and destroy the structure of your child’s teeth and gums if not arrested in time.

Causes of periodontal disease in children

Poor oral health and dental hygiene cause plaque to accumulate inside the mouth. Plaque is the primary cause of periodontal disease or its mild form, known as gingivitis in children. When it gets on your child’s teeth; the bacteria stick to the teeth. When this build-up becomes complex, it becomes tartar, also known as calculus.

The need for medical intervention

Parents should remember that oral care and healthy teeth go beyond flossing and brushing. Genetics and certain bad habits can cause problems later if they are not arrested early. For instance, some common issues can be occlusion (where there is a misalignment of the teeth), grinding, wisdom teeth, and overcrowding. These are some issues that need correction early in life to prevent complications in the future.

Who is at risk for periodontal disease?

The risk for periodontal disease in kids is high because of the following:

• Certain genes
• Food getting stuck in their gums
• Poor dietary habits
• Diabetes
• Autoimmune diseases
• Breathing through the mouth results in severe drying of the teeth and gums.
• Hormonal changes in the body, like puberty.
• Specific medications lead to the overgrowth of their gums.

Symptoms of periodontal disease in kids

Most children do not even know whether they have periodontal disease, as it is painless. In its mildest form, it is called gingivitis. Its common symptoms are bad breath, receding gums, accumulation of pus in the gums and between the teeth, bleeding while flossing or brushing, separating or losing teeth revealing greater than common space, and a change in the jaw alignment and bite.

For a diagnosis of periodontal disease, your child might need some x-rays along with an assessment of family history and dental care.

Children should be taken to the dentist every six months

Specialists from Dublin Dental Care guide parents to take their children for dental check-ups every six months. These visits may become more frequent if the child has an oral complication. Besides regular oral check-ups, parents should follow up on the correct home care for good dental habits at home.

Skilled and experienced dentists make the child comfortable

Visiting the dentist can be scary for most kids; however, good clinics ensure their dental check-ups are enjoyable. Skilled dentists ensure their teeth are cleaned and polished to look shiny and lovely. Kids are taught good home care and dental habits so that they can carry them into adulthood. Dentists also guide parents on how to limit their child’s intake of their favorite sweets, foods, and drinks to prevent cavities in the long run.

Periodontal disease can happen in children as young as four, but it is more common in teenagers and those entering adulthood. A lack of brushing and flossing usually causes it; however, its effects are worse when combined with poor diet or genetic factors. Poor oral hygiene habits can result in plaque buildup, creating an environment for bacteria to thrive. The good news is that periodontal disease is highly treatable with the help of a pediatric dentist. They can diagnose and develop a treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs. Treatment usually involves deep cleaning and removing plaque, tartar, and infected tissue around your child’s teeth and gums.

In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the damage caused by periodontal disease. The best way to avoid any of these procedures is through prevention. Encourage your children to practice good oral hygiene habits from an early age and have them visit their pediatric dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. That way, they can keep their teeth and gums healthy and prevent the onset of gum disease.

7 Steps to prevent periodontal disease

1. Teach your child good oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing twice a day for two minutes each time.
2. Ensure your child visits the dentist every six months for regular teeth cleaning, check-ups, and assessments.
3. Limit sugary snacks and drinks in your child’s diet.
4. Encourage your child to drink more water and chew sugar-free gum between snacks or meals.
5. Make sure your child uses the right toothbrush and toothpaste suitable for their age group.
6. Have your child wear a mouthguard while playing contact sports like hockey, football, etc., to prevent any damage to the teeth.
7. Educate your child on the importance of healthy teeth and gums by setting an example with their own oral care routine.

By following these steps, parents can help to prevent their children from developing periodontal diseases early in life. With proper dental care and regular visits to the dentist, your child can enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Dental professionals from Dublin Dental Care are experienced in treating children’s dental problems, providing them with the best possible care to ensure a healthy and confident smile for their kids. We understand how important it is for parents to provide their children with the best dental care available and we strive to exceed expectations in providing the highest quality of care for your children.

Conclusion

Parents need to be proactive when it comes to their children’s dental health and make sure they receive regular check-ups at the dentist. Poor oral hygiene habits coupled with other factors such as genetics, poor dietary habits, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, hormonal changes in the body, and certain medications can increase a child’s risk of developing periodontal diseases. By teaching your children good oral hygiene habits from a young age and encouraging them to visit the dentist every six months, you can help protect their teeth and gums for years to come. At Dublin Dental Care, our team of highly qualified dentists provides the highest quality of care to ensure that children can enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Contact us today to book an appointment for your child. ​​ ​

​​ ​​​Happy Smiling! :)​​​​​​​