A Child with Gum Disease: Why the Condition Should Be Treated Fast

Does your child complain about tooth pain but you can't see any visible cavities? If you look inside your child's mouth and notice that the gums are red, it may be a sign that gum disease is present. It is important for gum disease to be treated by a pediatric dentist before your child experiences even more problems, as you will learn below.

Why is it Vital for a Child with Gum Disease to Be Promptly Treated?

When gum disease first occurs, it is called gingivitis should not be too difficult to treat. If you fail to recognize that your child's gums are inflamed from gum disease, gingivitis can get worse and become periodontal disease from not being treated. A few of the symptoms your child can experience from periodontal disease include:

  • Tooth loss
  • Loose teeth
  • Weak jawbones
  • Excessive bleeding from gums
  • Bad breath that won't go away
  • An abscess on the gums or under a tooth

Periodontal disease can become so severe that if affects other areas of your child's body. What happens is bacteria from plaque can get inside of the bloodstream and cause a full body inflammation. It is not hard for bacteria to get into the bloodstream with periodontal disease because plaque usually sits far up in the gums and near blood vessels. The only way to get rid of your child's gum disease is with the help of a pediatric dentist.

What Can a Pediatric Dentist Do to Help a Child with Gum Disease?

The first thing the dentist will do is make sure there are no cavities present, as they can be so tiny that you simply could not see them. He or she will also observe the amount of blood coming out of the gums and pus. The jawbones will be examined to determine their health state and if any type of treatment is needed.

Gum disease will be treated with antibiotics, but your child may also be prescribed pain medication for sensitive teeth. A major aspect of treating gum disease will be for plaque to be removed from teeth and under the gums with a deep cleaning. A procedure called scaling and root planing may be done as part of the deep cleaning process.

It is importantly for you to closely monitor your child to make sure he or she is brushing correctly to prevent gum disease. You must also make sure regular dental appointments are made with a pediatric dentist (like those at Children's Dental Center Of Central Iowa PLC) to keep your child's teeth looking and feeling great!


Share