Gum Disease

While many people believe periodontal disease is an adult problem, studies indicate that gingivitis (the first stage of periodontal disease) is nearly a universal problem among children and adolescents. Advanced forms of periodontal disease are more rare in children than adults, but can occur.

Chronic gingivitis is common in children. It can cause gum tissue to swell, turn red and bleed easily. Gingivitis is preventable and treatable with a regular routine of brushing, flossing and professional dental care. If left untreated, it can eventually advance to more serious forms of periodontal disease.

Localized aggressive periodontitis can affect young healthy children. It is found in teenagers and young adults and mainly affects the first molars and incisors. It is characterized by the severe loss of alveolar bone and surprisingly, patients generally form very little dental plaque or calculus.

Generalized aggressive periodontitis may begin around puberty and involve the entire mouth. It is marked by inflammation of the gums and heavy accumulations of plaque and calculus. Eventually it can cause the teeth to become loose.

Conditions that make children more susceptible to periodontal disease:

• Type I diabetes
• Down syndrome
• Papillon-Lefevre syndrome

For example, in a survey of 263 Type I diabetics who were 11 to 18 years of age, 10 percent had overt periodontitis.

Adolescence and oral care. There is evidence that periodontal disease may increase during adolescence due to lack of motivation to practice oral hygiene. Children who maintain good oral health habits until the teen years are more likely to continue brushing and flossing than children who were not taught proper oral care.

Advice for parents

Early diagnosis is important for successful treatment of periodontal diseases.Therefore, it is important that children receive a periodontal examination as part of their routine dental visits. Be aware that if your child has an advanced form of periodontal disease, this may be an early sign of systemic disease. A general medical evaluation should be considered for children who exhibit severe periodontitis, especially if it appears resistant to therapy.

An important step in the fight against periodontal disease is establishing good oral health habits with your child early in life. When your child is one year old, you can begin using toothpaste when brushing his or her teeth. However, only use a pea-sized portion on the brush and press it into the bristles so your child won't eat it. And when the gaps between your child's teeth close, it's important to start flossing.

Serve as a good role model by practicing good oral health care habits yourself and schedule routine dental re-care appointments.

Schedule regular dental visits for family checkups, periodontal evaluations and cleanings.

Check your child's mouth for the signs of periodontal disease, including bleeding gums, swollen and bright red gums, gums that are receding away from the teeth and bad breath.

If your child currently has poor oral health habits, work with your child to change these now; it's much easier to change habits in a child than in an adult. Since your child models his/her behavior after yours, it follows that you should serve as a positive role model in your oral hygiene habits. A healthy smile, fresh breath and strong teeth all contribute to a young person's confidence and self-esteem.