Nobody wants to have gum disease. Even though you know you need to improve your oral hygiene routine, it can be hard to keep up with it. One of the best things you can do with your kids is teaching them how to brush their teeth and floss. But what should you do when your child develops gum disease? Let’s find out.
Different Types
There are two common types of gum disease. It can be hard to distinguish one from the other. One of them is called gingivitis, and the other is called periodontitis. Let’s look at gingivitis first. Some early warning signs of it include gums that are unusually red and swollen. Doubling down on a healthier routine of brushing, flossing, and going to the dentist can work wonders. These steps can reduce and slow down the development of gingivitis. If nothing is done, then this condition worsens into the second form of gum disease: periodontitis.
Peridontitis itself appears in two stages. The first stage is aggressive periodontitis. This condition usually affects pre-teens and teenagers who otherwise don’t show any signs of health problems. The reason this is so hard to spot is that nothing will seem wrong at first. Even so, the bones holding the teeth in place become vulnerable. The molars and incisors can become loose and eventually fall out. Normally, the buildup of plaque indicates the presence of gum disease. But it won’t in this case, which makes it even harder to diagnose.
What to Do Next
While it’s easy to panic, you don’t have to worry. Schedule a dentist appointment for your children. Your dentist will know what to do next. In the meantime, here are some good suggestions. Pediatricians and dental specialists can also be called into consult depending on the severity of gum disease.
Reinforce good habits: once your child is a year old, you can start teaching them how to use toothpaste and they can start to do it on their own. Make sure they know how important it is to brush and floss their teeth every day.
Set better examples: Spend time with them and model the behavior you want to see. Besides, they will need you to help them learn, no matter how bright or curious they are.
Look for signs: Finally, keep an eye out for signs of gum disease. If there are bleeding gums, swollen gums, or the gums have started to recede, then you know something is wrong.
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, YouTube, and Pinterest.