Gum disease can affect anyone of any age. Although we typically think of it affecting adults, it can also both children and teenagers.
Gum disease can affect anyone of any age. Although we typically think of it affecting adults, it can also both children and teenagers. Here are some of the way you can tell if your child is at risk for developing gum disease.
Types of Gum Disease
Gingivitis: Gingivitis is actually pretty common. You’ll see the early signs of gingivitis if you notice gums that are turning red and swelling when they shouldn’t be. However, it’s easy enough to stop it with brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits. That said, if you don’t do anything about it, it can turn into periodontitis.
Periodontitis: When it comes to your children, the gum disease known as periodontitis can show up in one of two ways. The first is called aggressive periodontitis, which affects teenagers and pre-teens who don’t have any other health problems. It attacks the bones under the molars and incisors and is hard to spot because there won’t be much plaque around the infected areas.
What You Should Do
Whenever you take your children to the dentist, make sure they get as thorough a checkup as you would. Even if you don’t like going to the dentist, it’s worth it. In some cases, your child might need to be referred to their pediatrician or a dental specialist if their gum disease is serious enough.
Teach Them Good Habits: At around a year old, your child will be old enough to start using toothpaste on their own. Show them how to do it and reinforce the importance of good brushing and flossing habits. When it comes to flossing, you should wait until the gaps between the teeth start to close.
Be a Role Model: Show your kids that brushing their teeth and taking care of their dental health can be fun. Being a role model is a good way to encourage them and keep up their motivation.
Take a Look: You should also check your children’s mouths and teeth. Keep an eye out for bleeding gums, swollen gums, or unexpected gum recession, which all point to gum disease.
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Dental Care Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney Dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online. For more dental tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, and Pinterest.