Do kids experience periodontal disease
Many people think that periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is just an adult problem. This has been proven to be wrong by studies that show nearly all of the children and adolescents suffer from gum problems, especially gingivitis. These can be painful and worrisome to adults, much more to kids. Most of the kids would experience swollen gums when an adult tooth comes out. However, there are also those who are caused by the tooth brushing habits the kids have.
The problem usually starts when the child have swollen gums caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth. It can be distinguished as bright red and puffy gums. Some may even have pocket marks or depressions in the gum. These are generally caused by the infectious bacteria growing beneath the gums. If the harmful bacteria reach the gum line, it may lead to the bleeding of gums.
Another cause of periodontitis in children is the hormonal changes in the body. During puberty, there is an increased level of sex hormones in the body, like progesterone and possibly estrogen. This increases the circulation of the blood in the body making the gums more sensitive. When this happens, it will lead to a greater reaction to irritants on the gums, including food particles and plaque. The gums would then feel tender, red and swollen.
A few researchers believed that periodontal disease can be transferred on to kids through saliva. Other causes can be from the medications the kid takes. There are a lot of medications that has an effect on saliva, making the mouth dry. This poses a greater threat to the oral health of the kid because saliva is used to clean the teeth and gums. This is why it is highly recommended for kids to have regular visits to the dentist. This is to regularly monitor the child’s oral health and the parent can inform the dentist or dental hygienist about the medications the kid is taking. They can verify if these medications have some side effects to the child’s dental health.
The best periodontal disease treatment a parent can offer to his child is through establishing good oral health habits. When a child reaches the age of 12, he begins to use toothpaste. Only a small, pea sized portion is recommended and it must be pressed into the bristles of the toothbrush so that the child will not swallow it. Every child always looks up to an adult and what they do will serve as a basis on how a child would act. If a parent practice good oral health habits, then the child would follow on his footsteps.