When gum disease is allowed to escalate, it often leads to substantial health issues. It is critical to learn how to prevent gum disease in order to prevent these significant problems from arising with your children’s oral health. Understanding the ways in which you can prevent gum disease can help you to protect their oral health and ensure the healthiest smile possible. Here are a few tips to help you to prevent the development of gum disease in your children, as well as how to reverse it when it arises.
The Main Causes of Gum Disease
Understanding the causes of gum disease will help you to prevent gum disease from developing in the first place. For one thing, genetics can play a role in the development of gum disease, especially the more severe types of gum disease. However, more commonly, gum disease is caused by allowing plaque to buildup on the surface of the teeth, particularly under the gum line. Ensuring that you thoroughly remove plaque from around the gums of your child, and teaching them how to do so, can go a long way toward preventing gum disease from arising.
Signs that Gum Disease is Present
It is extremely beneficial to learn the signs of gum disease. This will help you to prevent escalated damage when gum disease is allowed to progress. Gum disease usually progresses slowly and is capable of being reversed with the appropriate actions. Bad breath, receding gums, red gums, swollen gums, loose teeth, the development of pus pockets, and bleeding gums are all common signs that gum disease is present in the mouth. If you notice these signs, it is very important to take the steps to reverse gum disease.
Stages of Gum Disease
There are multiple stages that are common with gum disease. It tends to begin in a milder stage, commonly called gingivitis. Gingivitis tends to not result in pain, which can make it difficult to detect its presence. When gingivitis isn’t treated appropriately, it can lead to the development of severe forms of gum disease, generally referred to as periodontitis. However, just because gingivitis tends to be more mild, doesn’t mean that it is a less “serious” situation. When gum disease is allowed to progress, it can result in substantial issues to the oral health, including teeth falling out completely. If you notice these signs in your child’s mouth, you should bring them in for a visit to our office!
How to Prevent Gum Disease
Taking the appropriate steps to prevent gum disease can go a long way toward ensuring that these issues aren’t allowed to escalate with your child’s smile. These many various steps can substantially help to reduce the likelihood of gum disease developing and causing significant oral health consequences.
Use the Right Toothpaste and Toothbrush
It is important to use the appropriate toothpaste when it comes to your child’s oral health. In most situations, you will want to ensure that you use a child-specific toothpaste. These toothpastes contain ingredients that their teeth need, as well as reduces toxic substances, because children are more likely to accidentally swallow their toothpaste. Allowing them to choose their own toothpaste, as long as it follows the right requirements, can help to increase their enthusiasm regarding brushing their teeth.
The toothbrush that your child uses is another important component of preventing gum disease. It is important to use a toothbrush that is the right size for their mouth, which will prevent unnecessary difficulty from occurring. You may also want to consider implementing an electric toothbrush. These kinds of toothbrushes tend to be more effective at removing plaque and can be more fun for children to use!
Practice Effective Oral Hygiene
It is critical to help your child build effective oral hygiene habits. These habits will ensure that plaque is thoroughly and regularly removed from the surface of the teeth. Teach them to brush their teeth twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. There are many apps that are designed to track the two minutes in a fun method, such as playing a song or making it into a game. It is also important to ensure that your child flosses their teeth on a daily basis. No matter how thoroughly they brush their teeth, a toothbrush simply can’t reach every surface of the teeth. When you teach them to floss, they will be able to effectively remove food particles and plaque that are wedged between the surfaces of the teeth. It is also the best way to remove harmful particles from beneath the gum line.
Effective oral hygiene doesn’t have to feel like a struggle with your children. There are many ways to encourage them to effectively take care of their teeth. In many situations, leading by example and taking good care of your own teeth will encourage them to do the same thing. Visit one of our prior blog posts for more tips on encouraging your children to implement a great oral hygiene routine.
Have Their Teeth Cleaned Regularly
When plaque isn’t effectively removed within a timely manner, it tends to harden into a substance called tartar. Tartar is far more difficult to remove and can only really be removed with the help of a dentist. It is important to ensure that your child receives professional dental cleanings every six months. This will also allow us to ensure that everything is okay with their oral health and identify the possibility of issues in the early stages.
Gum disease can lead to significant consequences with the health of the teeth. It is important for parents to ensure that their children understand how to prevent gum disease and keep their smile healthy. Here at Mountain View Pediatric Dentistry, we are dedicated to providing your child with all of the services they need to maintain superior oral health. To obtain more information regarding the prevention of gum disease, or to schedule your child’s regular dental visit, contact our experts at Mountain View Pediatric Dentistry today!