subject: What Parents Should Know About Gum Disease Symptoms Among Children [print this page] Most people think that there are no gum disease symptoms among children as they have not lived long enough to do all the things that can cause such periodontal problems. However, clinical studies show that children do not get more advanced gum diseases as in adults, but nearly all of them do experience gingivitis which is the first stage of periodontitis.
There are four basic signs adults should be aware of as they safeguard their children against this periodontal disease. Bleeding gums during tooth brushing or flossing is the major symptom of gingivitis. Actually, bleeding occurs in the gums even during the absence of mouth cleaning. Toxins created by bacteria irritate the gums making them tender and prone to bleeding. Next of the gum disease symptoms is puffiness. This is when gums appear swollen with very bright red color. Recession is another sign which exposes the roots as the gums have receded away from the teeth. Lastly, constant bad breath is clear evidence that something is wrong especially when it does not clear up with brushing and flossing.
Other outward signs like loosening or separating of teeth, presence of puss between the teeth and gums and changes in bite and jaw alignment are alarming signs of this periodontal disease as well.
There are three types of periodontitis that plague children. They are gingivitis, mild periodontitis and moderate to advanced periodontitis. Children offer suffer from the first two types. Gingivitis causes gums to become swollen and bleeding. Moderate periodontitis on the other hand causes pockets between the teeth and gums and eventually teeth loss. Young as they are, children at times experience tooth decay which characteristic of moderate to advanced periodontitis.
Reversing gum disease should start from knowing its causes. While poor oral hygiene - failure to brush and floss teeth - is the usual cause of the above-mentioned gum problem, there are other factors that ushers it in. Incessant grinding of teeth, whether voluntary or involuntary is one cause of gum bleeding. Health issues like autoimmune or systematic diseases, deficiency in nutrients and vitamin C, diabetes and hormonal changes are other determining factors. Hormonal changes related to puberty, in fact, put children transitioning to puberty into greater risk of suffering from gum disease. Increased level of sex hormones upsurges blood circulation to the gums. Thus, there is greater gum sensitivity that causes bleeding and greater reaction to any irritation like food particles and plaque.
All these gum disease symptoms can be treated or prevented depending on its level on each of the patients experiencing them. Treatment among children may include easy processes like plaque removal and oral medication. If need be, there will be dental surgery that will permanently cut the prevailing symptoms. As the saying goes, prevention is still better than cure. Train your child to exercise proper dental hygiene. Make sure that this becomes a daily routine of brushing teeth three times daily and flossing in between. Introduce your children to a dentist and have routine cleanings twice a year.
by: Jimmy Cox
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