Protecting Your Child's Oral Health

Types of Periodontal Diseases in Children

Chronic gingivitis is common in children. It usually causes gum tissue to swell, turn red and bleed easily. Gingivitis is both preventable and treatable with a regular routine of brushing, flossing and professional dental care. However, left untreated, it can eventually advance to more serious forms of periodontal disease.

Aggressive periodontitis can affect young people who are otherwise healthy. Localized aggressive periodontitis is found in teenagers and young adults and mainly affects the first molars and incisors. It is characterized by the severe loss of alveolar bone, and ironically, patients generally form very little dental plaque or calculus.

Generalized aggressive periodontitis may begin around puberty and involve the entire mouth. It is marked by inflammation of the gums and heavy accumulations of plaque and calculus. Eventually it can cause the teeth to become loose.

Periodontitis associated with systemic disease occurs in children and adolescents as it does in adults. Conditions that make children more susceptible to periodontal disease include

Type I diabetes

Down syndrome

Papillon-Lefevre syndrome

Signs of Periodontal Disease

Four basic signs will alert you to periodontal disease in your child

Bleeding Bleeding gums during tooth brushing, flossing or any other time

Bad breath Constant bad breath that does not clear up with brushing and flossing

Puffiness Swollen and bright red gums

Recession Gums that have receded away from the teeth, sometimes exposing the roots

Advice for Parents

Establish good oral health habits early. When your child is 12 months old, you can begin using toothpaste when brushing his or her teeth. However, only use a pea-sized portion on the brush and press it into the bristles so your child won't eat it. When the gaps between your child's teeth close, it's important to start flossing.

Serve as a good role model by practicing good oral health care habits yourself.

Schedule regular dental visits for family checkups, periodontal evaluations and cleanings.

Check your child's mouth for the signs of periodontal disease, including bleeding gums, swollen and bright red gums, gums that are receding away from the teeth and bad breath.

If your child currently has poor oral health habits, work with your child to change these now. It's much easier to modify these habits in a child than in an adult. Since your child models his/her behavior after you, that you should serve as a positive role model in your oral hygiene habits.

A healthy smile, good breath and strong teeth all contribute to a young person's sense of personal appearance, as well as confidence and self-esteem.