June 23, 2006

Children Oral Health Care

Many people usually think periodontal disease is an adult’s problem. Nevertheless, studies indicate that gingivitis (first phase of periodontal disease) is universally found in children and teenagers. The most advanced phases of periodontal disease are rarer in kids than in adults, but they may occur.

Making sure to have healthy teeth as a grown-up, relies on establishing appropriate oral health habits as a child. Parents can good oral habits at home. For example, parents may award their kids when playing tooth fairy when one of their teeth gets off or when the child passes a dental exam.

Types of child periodontal diseases

Chronic gingivitis: It is quite common among in children. It generally causes gums get easily inflamed, red and bleeding. Gingivitis can be prevented and treated following a customary routine of brushing, using dental floss and visiting the dentist. If your child does not receive medical treatment on time, the disease may progress over time towards more serious of periodontal disease.

Aggressive periodontitis mat affect the healthy. Localized aggressive periodontitis happens to adolescents and young adults too, and mainly affects the primary molars and the cutting or incisor teeth (the frontal ones). It is characterized by the severe loose of the alveolar bone, and ironically, patients form little tartar or dental plaque.

Generalized aggressive periodontitis may start around puberty and may involve all the mouth. By gum inflammation and big accumulations of dental plaque. Over time it might produce teeth get loose. Periodontitis associated with systemic diseases happens in children, teenagers as in adults too. Among the conditions that make children more susceptible to this disease are the following ones:

Down syndrome
Papillon-Lefevre syndrome
Diabetes Type 1: In recent research among 263 people with diabetes type 1 between 11-18 years old, 10% had evident periodontitis


  • There are 4 basic signs that will indicate you if your child has periodontitis:
    – Gums bleed when brushing your teeth, using dental floss or at any time
    – Gums inflamed and red
    – Receded gums from the teeth, even exposing the roots
    – Bad breath that doesn’t disappear even after brushing or using floss.

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