September is known for many things. The start of fall (yay!), back-to-school fun, cooler weather, and…Gum Care Awareness Month! Maybe this isn’t on your radar, but it’s a good opportunity to focus on an often-overlooked aspect of children’s health: gum care. While many parents and caregivers know about the importance of children’s cavity prevention, healthy gums are less recognized as foundational facets of strong teeth.
Did you know that 67 million Americans have gum disease? Starting proper gum care habits during childhood is important for preventing your children from becoming one of these statistics.
- Let’s talk about the following:
- The types of gum disease
- Daily prevention routines for your child
- Warning signs of gum disease
- Treatment options
At Carousel Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we believe that preventive dental care Apple Valley families can trust starts with understanding the importance of gum health from an early age. Let’s explore how you can help your child maintain healthy gums and what to do if any problems do arise.
Understanding Gum Disease: Types and Stages
Gum disease affects people of all ages, including children. Gingivitis and periodontitis are the two forms of gum disease, both of which are caused by plaque buildup and bacterial infection in the gums. Understanding the progression of gum disease can help parents recognize early warning signs and seek treatment before the condition worsens.
Gingivitis: The Early Stage
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease and the most common type in children. This condition develops when plaque and bacteria build up along the gum line, which causes inflammation. There are warning signs that parents and caregivers can look for, including:
- Red or swollen gums
- Bleeding while brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath
- Gum recession
The encouraging thing about gingivitis is that it’s reversible with proper at-home care and professional dental care, such as a deep cleaning (also known as scaling and root planing).
Periodontitis: More Advanced Gum Disease
Although gingivitis is reversible, when left untreated, the infection will continue to advance. Eventually, it becomes periodontitis, which causes damage to the gums and underlying bone. At this stage, it’s only possible to manage the disease, as it isn’t reversible. This is less common in children, although teens and children with certain health conditions are more at risk.
Now that you understand the types and dangers of gum disease, let’s talk about some practical ways to work on prevention.
Gum Disease Prevention: Routines and Tips
By far, the most effective way to maintain healthy gums is by practicing prevention! What might preventive dental care in Apple Valley look like? Gum disease can be largely prevented through good personal dental hygiene, a healthy diet, and regular professional dental care. Establishing these habits early helps children maintain oral health and protect their gums for the rest of their lives.
Proper Brushing Techniques
Children should use a soft-bristle toothbrush and toothpaste to brush thoroughly at least twice a day. Proper brushing technique is important for maintaining good gum health. You can show your child how to do this properly, watch videos on proper technique together, and have their dentist or oral hygienist talk to them about it during their next cleaning.
Make sure that your child is brushing all of their tooth surfaces, including along the gum line, and replace their toothbrushes every few months.
Floss Floss Floss
It’s easy to get caught up focusing on brushing and common to overlook flossing. Flossing is what gets that stubborn food buildup between the teeth, which is key for gum disease prevention.
Your children should floss once a day to remove food remains stuck in between the teeth and near the gums. Have your child floss before they brush their teeth so that the toothbrush wipes away leftover food. Children should start flossing (with their parents' or caregivers' help) as soon as they have two teeth that touch.
Nutrition is Also a Factor
This may be devastating for your kids to hear, but a diet consisting of candy, Lunchables, and sugary drinks is not great for their oral health. A healthy diet, while likely not as enticing, supports gum health by providing essential nutrients and limiting harmful bacteria. Consider opting for healthy snacks when grocery shopping.
Bacteria love sugar, but crunchy veggies and fruit, dairy, whole grains, nuts, and lots of water are a better alternative. Water not only keeps your children hydrated, but it also rinses away food particles.
Regular Dental Visits
Professional cleanings are (obviously) quite important for removing plaque and tartar that daily brushing and flossing might not get. During visits, oral hygienists can demonstrate how to properly brush and floss in an age-appropriate way and talk to your family about gum disease signs.
What Happens if Your Child Has Gum Disease?
Despite regular brushing and flossing, some children may develop gum disease. It’s important to get professional treatment immediately if your child shows signs of gum disease. The earlier your child gets professional treatment, the less serious, painful, and costly it will be.
When you bring your child to Carousel Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, our team will begin with a thorough evaluation. We’ll assess your child’s:
- Gum color
- Texture
- Firmness
- Check for bleeding and inflammation
- Evaluate plaque and tartar buildup
- Check the gum pocket depth around the teeth
- Review their overall oral health
Treatment Options
For children with gingivitis or early gum disease, we offer several treatment options. Professional deep cleanings, also called scaling and root planing, remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. We use a gentle approach, explaining each tool and technique at an age-appropriate level, and take our time to ensure your child’s comfort.
We’ll also provide your family with personalized instructions about oral hygiene techniques for gum disease prevention, and teach your child how to master the skills needed for gum health. Our team may recommend further treatments to help reduce bacteria and inflammation in the mouth. Depending on the child’s particular needs, we might also schedule more frequent visits for monitoring.
Make Gum Disease Prevention a Priority This September
Gum disease is always important for children’s health. But this September, during Gum Care Awareness Month, commit to making gum health a priority for your entire family. If you’re interested, take a few moments to give us a call and schedule a dental cleaning for your child.
We’d be happy to talk to your family about gum health and show your child how to properly brush and floss their teeth. Let’s celebrate Gum Care Awareness Month by giving your child’s gums the attention they deserve.