Your child’s gums may be a little sensitive from time to time, but if you notice their gums bleed regularly and often look red or inflamed that is an important sign. Your child’s mouth should have pinkish-coloured gum tissue with no other colouration present in order for your kid’s dental health to stay strong.

Everyone knows that our teeth play a big role in how we eat, speak and smile. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the maintenance of them since tooth brushing is not always on the mind throughout the day.

However, this should be a priority for children because without healthy teeth they may have more than just bad breath and trouble speaking. Gum disease is something many children don’t know about or understand which can lead to untreated pain and even lost teeth. In this post, we’ll take you through 5 facts on why gum health is important for your child.  Let’s get looking.

Symptoms – What are signs of unhealthy gums?

Gingivitis is a mouth disease and it’s more prevalent than you think. Symptoms of gingivitis include swollen, sore or bleeding gums from brushing or flossing with looser teeth that have abnormal spacing as well as recurring bad breath because the bacteria in your child’s mouth are eating away at their tooth enamel.

The first two symptoms can be seen with this type of gum disease but if left untreated there could also be pus between the teeth and around them too along with bite/jaw alignment changes so don’t let anyone tell you these things only happen to adults.

The symptoms of gum disease are a variety. Symptoms can include:

* Red and swollen gums

* Bleeding from brushing or flossing your teeth

* Loose or separating teeth with abnormal spacing

* Recurring bad breath

 

Causes

One of the primary causes for gum disease in children is plaque build-up due to lack of proper dental hygiene. Other factors that may increase your child’s risk include:

*Having a family history or genetic link to chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart problems, and cancer.

*Teeth grinding (bruxism,) this can cause headache pain as well as lead to teeth wear which could result in tooth loss over time. Teeth grinders will also have more chances at experiencing jaw joint pain from arthritis because it strains the muscles around those joints too much.

*Eating high sugar foods which are known contributors towards bacterial growth on surfaces where they’re left out – including tables and counters tops.

 

Further Causes

*Food stuck in the gums

*Mouth breathing

*Poor dietary lifestyle

*Autoimmune or systemic diseases

*Diabetes

*Hormonal changes

How do I Protect my Child?

As parents, the first thing you should do is take care of your kids’ teeth. This isn’t rocket science, it’s dental hygiene. And there are some simple things we can all be doing to ensure healthy and strong gums for our children to prevent gum disease from developing or worsening as they get older.

*Brush their teeth with a toothbrush twice every day (using fluoride toothpaste when brushing), *flossing once per day
*eating healthier foods that have little sugar and starch content.
*seeing their dentist for regular check-ups…and if they already have an existing condition, it may require antibiotics or surgery depending on how severe this has become.

 

 

How do You Get Rid of Gum Disease in Kids?

The sound of your child’s voice can be a sign to tell if he or she has gum disease. If you notice that they are having difficulty while talking, biting, and chewing food then it is time for them to see the dentist.

Provide regular cleanings by dental hygienist as well as teeth cleaning at home with toothbrush and floss daily. Deep cleaners may also remove plaque under grown which leads an infection in later stages of gingivitis.

Why are my 7 Year old Gums Black?

Dark gums can appear in anyone, of any age. If you have dark gums, there’s a good chance your child will too because that might be the result from heredity and ethnicity. Most people who experience black gum lines usually do so as they get older.

But if someone has melanin present in their skin it may also show up on their teeth when they are younger which is why children with darker complexions could end up having them at an even earlier stage than most adults.

How Quickly Does Gum Disease Develop?

This may start in the teenage years and go unnoticed by an individual until they are 40 or 50. They could have done a lot of damage before that, so regular visits to the dentist is necessary for detection of early signs.

How Often Does my Child Need to see my Dentist?

The American Dental Association recommends that children see their dentist twice a year. However, if you have gum disease in your family or are at high risk for it, talk to your doctor about how often is best for your child and what can be done now to prevent the disease from progressing.

Conclusion

Are you ready to experience the top-quality dentist office difference? Contact Dr. Engel at Kinder Smiles today with any questions or to make an appointment for your child or teen. Our new dentist and orthodontic specialists are eager to make your appointments great and we can arrange a treatment plan to suit you.

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