.png)
Keep your child's gums healthy
periodontal care in marshfield
While it’s not as common in young children, gum disease can still cause damage to the gums and teeth, and affect your child’s oral health as they grow. At Marshfield Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Julie Hantson can help you restore your child’s gums if they have been affected by gum disease. Learn more about this condition below, or contact us now for an appointment.
Can Kids Get
Gum Disease?
Yes. While gum disease is much more rare in children than it is in older adults, it can still affect kids of any age. Most kids who are affected by gum disease have gingivitis, the first stage of the disease, which can be reversed with proper treatment.
If they don’t get proper care, however, it’s entirely possible for kids to be affected by more serious cases of gum disease that cause permanent damage to the gums and teeth.
Understanding the basics
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is an infection of gums that happens if your kids are not flossing and brushing properly. Over time, bacteria will begin to build up between their gums and teeth in the form of plaque and tartar.
Eventually, this bacteria will begin to attack the gums, provoking an immune response that results in the inflammation and discoloration of the gum tissue. Without proper care, this condition will only continue to get worse, and could eventually cause permanent damage to your child’s gums and teeth.
To avoid gum disease in kids, you need to make sure they are brushing twice a day for at least two minutes, and their teeth should be flossed once per day. You should also see a dentist like Dr. Hantson for preventive care every six months.
Recognizing the Signs
of gum disease in kids
Gum disease is an infection of gums that happens if your kids are not flossing and brushing properly. Over time, bacteria will begin to build up between their gums and teeth in the form of plaque and tartar.
Eventually, this bacteria will begin to attack the gums, provoking an immune response that results in the inflammation and discoloration of the gum tissue. Without proper care, this condition will only continue to get worse, and could eventually cause permanent damage to your child’s gums and teeth.
To avoid gum disease in kids, you need to make sure they are brushing twice a day for at least two minutes, and their teeth should be flossed once per day. You should also see a dentist like Dr. Hantson for preventive care every six months.
Pediatric Treatment Options
For gum Disease
Gingivitis can typically be treated with a “deep cleaning” which is also known as “scaling & root planing.” In this procedure, Dr. Hantson will gently clean away bacteria, tartar, and plaque from between your child’s teeth and gums, going deeply below the gum line. In addition, the roots of the teeth will be planed (smoothed) to eliminate “periodontal pockets” of bacteria that form near the roots of the teeth.
This treatment takes two appointments over a period of a few weeks, since only one half of your child’s mouth will be cleaned in each appointment. Your child’s mouth will be numb during the process, and they can be sedated to ensure their comfort. Along with antibiotics, deep cleaning can typically reverse mild-to-moderate gum disease.
.png)
.png)