What Is Gingivitis and Gum Disease in Children?

Staving off gum disease in children is a real challenge. And yet, we could never deny that parenting is a beautiful experience, albeit one that also comes with a few surprises. For example, your toddler might suddenly experience discomfort and pain, but they can’t tell you what is wrong.

Parental anticipation of some inadvertently happening issues is critical to keeping your little kid from suffering illnesses and conditions like tooth decay. The decay of teeth is one of many things to care about, but why is it crucial to prevent it?

Tooth decay might produce holes in a tooth. These holes are caries that penetrate the enamel protective layer and might reach the pulp. Plaque might also accumulate, damaging the gums.

Early prevention or identification maximizes the possibility of efficiently cleaning the spot. However, neglecting or ignoring the problem might require an invasive intervention with dental treatment to repair and save the tooth and gums.

Often parents’ concerns focus on the toddler’s newly erupting teeth, but the gums often present a recurring misunderstood issue. To address this topic, we refer to the gums problems under their clinical term, Gingivitis, and Periodontitis.

How to Identify if Your Kid Has Gingivitis

Gums disease is the general name for issues that occur in the gums due to bacterial proliferation. However, dental specialists, including pediatric dentists, categorize them according to the level of damage they present.

The first level is an early stage of gum disease known as Gingivitis. At this stage, your kid might present mild discomfort and the following symptoms:

• Red, inflamed gums and;
• Mild bleeding.

Identifying and treating your kid in this early stage is vital to nullify the possibility of worsening to stage 1 initial periodontitis. Also, the more time the gums remain untreated, the higher the risk of suffering a more threatening gum disease level.

Bleeding Gums

To understand the dangers of bleeding gums is essential to know what causes it. Foods, especially sugary and starchy and high in carbohydrates, accumulate in your kid’s mouth.

Bacteria in the mouth decompose these foods generating nasty residues accumulating on teeth. These acidic residues thicken and become more arduous, turning into a bacterial habitat that sticks to the teeth and gums.

The biofilm mix of bacteria and plaque forms in the entrenched space where the tooth and the gum meet, causing gum inflammation and producing mild bleeding.

Bleeding gums in a toddler might cause anxiety. However, at this point, there is no need to panic. First, At Roanoke Pediatric Dentistry, we first advise parents to revise their little kid’s diet and work on oral hygiene. However, if the bleeding continues after taking the corrective measures, parents should contact us for an immediate check-up. 

Bad Breath in Kids

Some parents often disregard the possibility of bad breath in kids. In fact, there is a myth kids don’t have bad breath, but the truth is they can indeed have it. So, to reduce or eliminate the chances of bad breath occurrence, we pinpoint its causes:

• Poor oral hygiene:
• Bad eating habits and uncontrolled sugar ingestion;
• Cavities and, of course;
• Gingivitis.

What Causes Gum Disease and Gingivitis?

Cavities and Gingivitis result from the first two causes of bad breath. Moreover, cavities and Gingivitis worsen it. But, aside from bad breath, we as parents must prevent the occurrence of Gingivitis to the most possible. Here we include a more detailed picture of its causes and how to address them:

Sugar in Foods and Drinks

The most prevalent problem that could end in a bad eating habit is excessive consumption of products sweetened with sugar. Bacteria decompose sugars in your kid’s mouth, forming an acidic material that erodes your child’s teeth and gums.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Hearth Association set some guidelines about sugar consumption in kids:

• Two years old or less: Avoid sugar in any form.
• Two years old and older: Less than 25 grams of sugar per day

Nutrition Habit Issues

Aside from sugar-added foods and drinks, parents must be aware of kids eating habits and diet. For instance, the enamel is the teeth protective layer that prevents acids from penetrating your kid’s tooth.

Enamel is a complex tissue, the hardest of all in the human body, formed of a microstructure arranged in a solid pattern of mineral molecules. Minerals found in foods like green vegetables and fruits are essential to prevent enamel demineralization.

We recommend parents include non-processed foods and opt for natural vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, and fluoride.

Bad Oral Hygiene Habits

Teaching your little kid how to practice good oral hygiene habits is fun and will save you lots of money in dental emergencies. You can start as early as your kid is a toddler by using a clean gauze or soft pad and covering your index finger. Then, dip the gauze in water and pass it all around the gums and teeth.

As your kid ages and understands your commands, implement a fun routine by singing and dancing to teach your kid that clean is fun and dirt is boring. Moreover, we must insist bad oral hygiene habits in kids might cause pain and infections, but the most significant concern is its impact on your child as she grows.

An untreated cavity due to inadequate oral hygiene might result in tooth extraction that could negatively impact your kid as she ages. A baby tooth is essential as it guides adult teeth when erupting. Misguided adult teeth might require orthodontic corrective treatment later on.

Irregular Visits to the Pediatric Dentist

Pediatric dentistry is a dental specialization in which the doctor analyzes your kid’s dental development. A pediatric dentist also models the kid’s dental structure as they grow older to eliminate or minimize disorders and prevent potential issues that could affect their life quality.

Consequently, pediatric dentistry provides various dental treatments, from cleanings and fluoride applications, to assess the need for interceptive orthodontic treatment.

How to Get Rid of Gingivitis

The most general way to eliminate Gingivitis is to act early and quickly. If your kid is a toddler, follow the instructions about using a clean gauze or towel to clean any milk, porridge, or other food residues in the gums and teeth.

If your kid is over two years old, you can teach her how to brush, floss, and create a fun routine. Start by assisting your kid and smoothly cleaning all mouth surfaces with a soft-bristled toothbrush. You also must eliminate sugar from your kid’s diet.

Dental Clinic

Gingivitis will recede after following these two steps. However, if bleeding continues, immediately call Dr. Reopelle’s pediatric dentist.

Antibiotic Medication

An evaluation will help Dr. Reopelle determine if your kid has passed from Gingivitis to an infection that could lead to moderate periodontitis. The pattern of moderate periodontitis is quite aggressive if left untreated, and your kid might require treatment with antibiotics before getting into it.

Surgery

Gingival disease characterization divides into levels according to its progression. For example, initial grade 1, and moderate grade 2 periodontitis, compromises the bone, leading to a loss of its structure that could be analyzed with radiography.

Moderate periodontitis might require minor surgery to implant bone grafts to recover its structure, keep teeth from moving, and provide support to avoid tooth falling.

Help From Your Kids’ Roanoke Pediatric Dentist Makes Healthy Teeth

Advise and prevention makes healthy teeth for your kid today and pave the path for adult teeth conservation. Schedule an appointment for your kid at your Roanoke Pediatric Dentistry so Dr. Reopelle can help you define a pediatric plan to care for and model your kid’s teeth for the future.