Can Children Get Gum Disease?
June 18, 2018
Gum disease is a very common chronic disease in adults, but did you know that it be common for children, as well? While it is not as common as tooth decay as for children’s mouths, it can occur. A mild form of the earliest stage of gum disease known as gingivitis is the most common form to affect children. Gum disease is a progressive disease that requires some attention or else it will continue to worsen. Gum disease is often the result of poor oral hygiene and a lack of dental visits. Improving oral hygiene and/or getting a professional cleaning can be ways to reverse the earliest stages of gum disease. Once the disease progresses to more advanced stages, it can no longer be reversed.
What Exactly Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a general term referring to the infection, inflammation, and damage to your gum tissue caused by oral bacteria. The bacteria attacks the gums after being builtup inside plaque and tartar in, along, and beneath the gum line. Advanced gum disease can erode the jawbone beneath the gums that holds your teeth’s roots in place. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. In children, gum disease can manifest into an aggressive form of periodontitis, an advanced gum disease, which typically develops around the molars, premolars, and incisors. Near the age of puberty in teens and pre-teens, the change in hormones may cause a flare up in gum disease in children.
Protecting Little Smiles
Effective brushing and flossing of the teeth at least twice a day is the first line of defense against gum disease for both adults and children. Professional cleanings and checkups at least twice a year are just as important. Another important way to offer smile protection is to help instill good, smile-healthy habits in your kids when it comes to eating and drinking.
Children’s Smiles Can Be Affected by Gum Disease
Gum disease can affect little smiles. Our team at Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City is focused on creating an inviting, comfortable experience each time you visit. To schedule a consultation, call our office in Kansas City, MO, at 816-427-4018.