Gingivitis occurs commonly in children and adults. It’s a mild form of periodontal (gum) disease that leads to gums inflammation, redness and bleeding. If your child experiences frequent gums bleeding and Inflammation, then she might have gingivitis. Your child might not experience any pain or discomfort at the onset but it can rapidly spread overtime. If your child have gingivitis and it is not treated fast enough, it can progress to periodontitis, which will result to severe damages.
Periodontitis in children can lead to tooth decay, tooth loss and severe damages to your children gums. The good news is that gingivitis in children can be revered before it gets to periodontitis through proper treatment. Gingivitis is usually caused by excessive plaque build up in the mouth. The plaque in children’s mouth, mostly along the gum lines might be difficult to go out by daily brushing and flossing.
Plaque buildups attracts bacteria that produces acids that can irritate the gum tissue. The toxins can make the gums to swell up, turn red and bleed easily. Gingivitis in children comes with little or no discomfort. Redness and gums bleeding while brushing or flossing is quite common for children that have gingivitis.
Gingivitis in children
This oral problem, known as gingival diseases, can affect young people and adults alike. Children are more likely to have frequent gingivitis during puberty. Those with questionable oral habits are more susceptible to gingivitis, inflammation of the gums and heavy accumulations of plaque and tartar. However, it’s believed that hormonal changes in children during puberty can cause gingivitis, which is a form of periodontal disease.
Perio reported that during puberty, there is increased level of hormones. High level of hormones such as progesterone and estrogen, causes an increase in gum’s sensitivity. The gums when highly sensitive, will become more easily irritated and susceptible to gums infection. It’s believed that all this can place your teen at a higher risk of developing gingivitis.
Signs of gingivitis in children
Your child might have gingivitis, a common form of periodontal disease that affects the gingival tissues surrounding the teeth. Without regular dental examination, your child may not even realize they have this condition. Gingivitis is characterized by painless symptoms, such as swollen and red gums that easily bleed. Detecting and treating gingivitis early is crucial for maintaining your child’s oral health.
Although, most children can experience more serious symptoms such as heavy gums recession. Constant bad breath that does not go away after brushing and flossing can also be a sign of gingivitis.
Causes of gingivitis in children
Plaque buildups and bacteria accumulation are the main cause of gum inflammation, also known as gingivitis, in children. It’s normal that as kids grow older, they will like to do certain things like brushing and flossing themselves to prevent gum disease. Even if your child is old enough, you should not ignore her oral hygiene habits to maintain healthy teeth.
You should be vigilant about your child’s oral hygiene and even advise her on the best ways to keep her teeth and gingival healthy. You should get the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash for your child. Daily flossing and brushing can reduce plaque and the risk of gingivitis, a disease associated with gingival. Here are some other factors that can make your child have gingivitis.
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Vitamin C deficiency: vitamin C is very important for the health of your child’s gums and teeth. When you don’t give your child enough vitamins, she will experience frequent gums inflammation. Exposure of inflamed gums to harmful bacteria found in the mouth can lead to gums infection and gingivitis.
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Hormonal changes: puberty comes along with lots of hormonal changes and body development. These can make the gums to be more sensitive and susceptible to infections and gingivitis.
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Taking lots of sugary foods: much of sugary foods can boost the amount of plaque and harmful bacteria in your child’s mouth. Sticky foods such as candies and chocolate can stick to your child’s teeth, attracting lots of bacteria that can eventually irritate the gum tissues. You should avoid giving your child sugarly foods or drinks right before she goes to bed. If you must, ensure that your child brushes after.
Take away
Gingivitis in children is very common, but it’s not something that can be ignored. It can advance rapidly to more serious forms of gingival disease, bringing lots of pain and discomfort to your child’s teeth. Establishing good oral health habits with your child can be the best preventive steps to stop the occurrence of gingivitis.
Children learn more quickly about teeth and gum health by observing their parents. As a parent, it is important to be a good role model for your child’s oral hygiene habits.
In addition, it’s important that your child gets regular dental visits for gingival examinations and cleanings. Your dentist can help to detect the signs of gingivitis associated with your child earlier. Earlier detection and treatments can help to reverse gingivitis before it progresses into severe gum disease and infection.
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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