Bleeding gums in children, also known as gingivitis, can be a cause for concern. If you notice that your child’s gums usually bleed easily, then it might be a sign of something serious. There are many factors that can make a toddler’s gums bleed, including vigorous brushing, injury on the gums, medications, and certain health problems. It is important to seek the expertise of a pediatric dentist to ensure proper dental care and prevent potential periodontal disease.
Healthy gums are usually pink in color. Redness, swelling or tenderness of the gums can can be a sign of gum disease. When you don’t take good care of your child’s teeth, plaque can easily accumulate there resulting to certain gums issues. Too much accumulation of plaque can result to early stage of gum disease known as gingivitis.
Gingivitis can cause consistent bleeding gums in children. After some period of time, it can progress into more serious form of gum disease known as periodontitis.
However, am not here to lecture you on causes of bleeding gums in children. But am here to reveal to you the possible ways to stop a child’s gums from bleeding. But before then, determining the actual underlying cause of your child’s bleeding gums can be helpful for faster treatments. Knowing the actual cause of the problem can help you to pin down the most suitable treatment. You can check out this post to learn more about causes of bleeding gums.
How to stop a child’s gums from bleeding
1. Regular brushing: it has been shown that brushing at least twice a day plays a significant role in reducing gums bleeding. Brushing with soft-bristled toothbrush daily can help to clear away plaque and also strengthen your child’s gums tissues.
Plaque usually buildup along the gum lines, leading to gingivitis and periodontal disease. Not brushing your child’s dental health can make her bleeding gums worse. Brushing your child’s teeth after breakfast and before bedtime can help to keep away harmful bacteria and protect and strengthen the gums. Regular visits to the dentist are also important for maintaining good oral health.
2. Diet regulation: you should consider feeding your child with healthy meals. Healthy meals and snacks can reduce bleeding gums. Too much of hard and acidic foods can contribute to bleeding gums in children. Soft drinks, candy, fruit juice, dried fruit, chips and crackers can make your child’s gums to bleed. (1) Taking lots of starchy and sugary foods encourage plaque and the bacteria growth. Increased number of plaque and bacteria on your child’s teeth increases her risk of developing gum disease and bleeding gums.
3. Take more Vitamin K: Vitamin K is a group of compounds that plays an important role in preventing excessive bleeding. Low level of vitamin K in the body of your child can result to uncontrolled bleeding from the body tissues. Deficiency of vitamin K is very rare in adults, but it’s very common in children.
Persistent bleeding gums in your toddler might indicate a deficiency of Vitamin K. Increase your child’s vitamin K intake by including foods like eggs, strawberries, liver, spinach, asparagus, broccoli, and green beans. Alternatively, consult a dental person who can recommend vitamin K supplements for your child’s dental health.
4. Take more vitamin C: vitamin C is a vital vitamin that can’t be produced by the body. It’s only gotten from the foods we eat. Even if your child is practicing good oral hygiene, deficiency in vitamin C can make her gums to bleed. Vitamin C plays many impressive roles in the body.
Increasing the intake of foods rich in vitamin C can help people eliminate infections that can be causing bleeding gums and protect their teeth. Citrus fruits and carrots are good sources of vitamin C, while there are also vitamin C supplements available for children to boost their immune system.
5. Get anti-gingivitis toothpaste: there are special formulated toothpastes that can help to reverse early signs of gum disease. This type of toothpastes are very effective for fighting bleeding gums and maintaining good oral health. It softens and clears off plaque and harmful bacteria found along gum line.
Other ways to stop bleeding gums
6. Salt water rinse: salt water contains strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Rinsing your child’s mouth with salt water can help to stop gum bleeding and also eliminates bacteria. Gum inflammation and bacteria in the mouth can easily make your child’s gums to bleed. But with salt water you can put this under control.
To help alleviate gum inflammation in your toddler and promote healthy teeth, create a solution by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt with a glass of warm water. Encourage your child to rinse her mouth with this solution to keep her gums clean and free from infections.
7. Hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse: hydrogen peroxide has powerful antimicrobial properties, this makes it a popular disinfectant. When used as a mouth rinse, it can promote gum health and also put a stop to gum bleeding.
Hydrogen peroxide can be used for treating gums inflammation and infections. It’s effective for getting rid of bleeding, swelling, and gums recession. One more thing, always ensure that you dilute the hydrogen peroxide before using it on your child’s gums.
Note: The last two methods that I listed (6 & 7) are for adults and younger children only. They should never be swallowed after each rinse. If your child is likely to swallow, then you might need to look at the other alternatives I listed in this article.
When to see a doctor
Normally, after improving your toddler’s diet and oral hygiene, their bleeding gums should subside within seven to ten days. If you notice no improvements after this timeframe, you may need to take further actions.
If your toddler has periodontitis (gum disease), then it might be very difficult to treat. You will need to make time to see your dentist, so that your toddler’s gums and teeth will be properly examined. If it’s a case of vitamins deficiency, your doctor or dentist can recommend suitable treatments or supplements for your toddler.
Richard Smith is a Registered Nutritionist and also a Health Speaker. Richard Smith graduated from The City University of New York. You can learn more about him by Visiting His LinkedIn Page or Follow him on Twitter.
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