It is common to think that gum inflammation and gum diseases are a problem in adults only. But the truth is that these diseases may also appear in children and in young people. Teeth are one of man’s most important assets. While in many other cases, people have knowledge and can choose to be treated in various ways, in the case of teeth, besides heredity, correct maintenance and treatment of teeth can make a great difference for everyone. Besides protection against dental caries, it is also very important to protect the gums. In addition to providing children with healthy hygiene habits, by making sure that they clean their teeth properly, we protect them from periodontal disease, which may attack at a young age.
Gingivitis in children
Despite the common view that gingivitis only involves adults, studies show that gingivitis is also common in children and teenagers. It must be remembered that every case of periodontal disease is preceded by gingivitis, so early diagnosis and treatment of initial signs is important for succeeding in eradicating the disease. On the other hand, it is important to know that if a child has gingivitis that does not heal despite treatment, it may be another disease that is not gum disease, in which gum inflammation is just a symptom.
Gingivitis becomes apparent in children through many signs: bleeding, bad breath, swelling, redness and recession of the gums. Genetics also have their say, and if one family member has had periodontal disease, more rigorous oral hygiene is needed, as well as frequent checkups. The best treatment of gingivitis is cleaning by flossing and careful brushing, and periodical visits to the pediatric dentist. Without treatment by dentists, gingivitis may lead to destructive periodontal disease. An effective way of treating gingivitis is mouthwashes. It is very important when choosing a mouthwash to pay attention to ensure that it is suitable for children and is alcohol free.
It is important to take our heads out of the sand and recognize that what we eat, or more precisely what our children eat, has a major effect on the state of their gums. Eating food that is rich in simple sugars increases the bacterial plaque that accumulates around the tooth. The more nutritional fiber rich our food, the more we care not just for the body itself in nutritional respects, but also our teeth. Chewing these foods causes stronger saliva secretion, thus helping keep our teeth healthy.
Even in the case of small children who still have milk teeth, it is very important to maintain oral hygiene. Bacteria do not overlook them because they are little. In young children whose nutrition consists mainly of food that sticks to the teeth, such as candy or salted snacks, there is an increased risk for caries and gingivitis. It is very important to make sure that they brush their teeth twice a day, with gauze or a very soft toothbrush, as soon as the first tooth erupts. Oral bacteria are not concerned about a tooth’s age or type. They break down sugars that accumulate around the tooth and cause caries as soon as they meet the tooth, even at breastfeeding age.
