Periodontal Issues in Children

Serving Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Scottsdale, Arizona

Gum disease and periodontal issues are the second most common type of dental problem for children. While cavities (also called dental caries) are the most common problem, most parents are unaware that their children are at equal danger of having periodontal issues, or problems with their gums.

Effects and Symptoms of Periodontal
Issues in Children

Your child’s gums are every bit as important as his or her teeth are for both tooth health and general health. If your child develops gum disease or a periodontal abscess, he or she is at risk for other systemic disorders, including:

• Diabetes and its complications
• Heart and blood vessel disease
• Life threatening blood infections (Septicemia)
• Severe fever and inflammation
• Respiratory problems and infections
• Swelling and difficulty swallowing

Periodontal disease may even be passed between individuals through saliva, according to researchers, so if you or your child is known to have periodontal issues you should avoid sharing drinks or eating utensils until the condition has been successfully treated. The symptoms of gum disease and periodontal issues include:

• Bad breath and discharge from the gums
• Puffy/discolored gums
• Bleeding gums while brushing teeth, flossing, any other time
• Gum recession revealing excess tooth surface

Preventing and Treating Periodontal Issues

It is possible to prevent gum disease by following good oral hygiene, drinking water frequently through the day, and adhering to a healthy diet. However, simply brushing your child’s teeth is not sufficient to protect him or her from gum disease. Your child should begin flossing as soon as he or she is old enough to do so, and regular dental checkups will help prevent advanced gum disease by allowing us to check for symptoms of the early onset of gum disease.

If periodontal issues are too advanced, your child may require treatment with periodontal cleanings under the gum tissue, laser gum treatment, or even periodontal surgery. However, even these options are preferable to tooth loss, the loss of jaw bone tissue, and even widespread systemic disease complications that can occur if gum disease is allowed to languish in your child’s mouth.

You can help your children keep their gums and teeth healthy and smiling by learning more on our hygiene habits page, and by making sure they attend regular dental checkups and cleanings. Paying close attention to your children’s oral health can prevent toothaches and costly treatments in the future.

To learn more about children and periodontal issues, or to schedule an appointment to ensure that your child’s teeth and gums are healthy, please contact experienced family dentists Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro today, serving patients throughout Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale and Mesa, Arizona.