Periodontal Diseases in Children

There are three main types of gum diseases found in children, or periodontal diseases as they are also known: Chronic gingivitis, generalized aggressive periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis are the three in question.

In this piece, we will provide a brief outline of each one, allowing you to educate yourself on the symptoms, causes and treatment of periodontal diseases in children and young adults.

Signs of periodontal diseases in children

Many of the signs for periodontal diseases in children are similar, with four predominant symptoms that can alert you to the condition:

The first is bleeding gums, which can often be one of the earliest indicators. Secondly, puffiness and swollen gums can occur, along with them turning bright red in colour. Constant bad breath is another signal to look out for, while recession of the gums away from the teeth is also a major indicator.

Chronic gingivitis

Chronic gingivitis is one of the most common periodontal diseases in children, which can often be prevented by ensuring your child is brushing their teeth thoroughly, and on a regular basis, along with routinely flossing.

Gingivitis can often be treated by improving the child’s overall dental health, though booking a visit to the dentist if you notice signs of gingivitis is highly recommended. If gingivitis is left untreated, it can lead to more severe periodontal problems, so ensuring that you catch and treat this early is a key part in preventing serious periodontal diseases in children.

Aggressive periodontitis

If chronic gingivitis continues then it may lead to aggressive periodontitis, which mainly affects the first incisors and molars of teenagers and young adults. The symptoms are similar to chronic gingivitis, though on a more severe scale. If you do notice any signs of this with your child’s teeth, you should certainly see a dentist as soon as possible.

Generalized aggressive periodontitis

A more severe problem is generalized aggressive periodontitis, which affects the entire mouth of the individual. This represents a serious problem for a child, and if left untreated it can lead to teeth becoming loose, and eventually losing them completely.

Professional dental help

If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, it is highly recommended to visit the dentist as soon as possible. It is also critical you are regularly visiting the dentist with your child, as this is one of the best, proactive approaches that you can employ to reduce the chance of periodontal disease in children.