Taking Care of Your Child’s Gums for a Lifetime of Oral Health

Everyone knows that ensuring your children brush their teeth properly and regularly is an important part of their dental hygiene and oral health. But did you know that taking care of their gums is just as important? Read on for a refresher on how to properly care for your child’s gums, and what to do if you have concerns.

 Frequent flossing

Regular flossing removes food particles and plaque buildup between the tight crevices of teeth. As children’s mouths are much smaller, flossing can be a little bothersome and difficult if you are not using the right supplies. Fortunately, there are all kinds of great flosses and floss picks that are designed to fit in a child’s mouth comfortably. Flossing needs to be done with the right technique to get the maximum benefit, this means gently inserting the floss between the teeth and hugging the sides of each tooth while working the floss up and down, not side to side. Make sure to reach below the gum line. Without flossing, bacteria can build along the gumline getting between the gum and the tooth causing inflammation and eventually gingivitis. If you live in Toronto and your child suffers from gingivitis, they may need to see a periodontist for more specialized oral care. A periodontist that offers scaling and root planing in Toronto can help restore your child’s healthy gums to protect future adult teeth.

 Be smart about sweets

Toronto is a vibrant and diverse city with all kinds of festivals and celebrations involving delicious foods and treats. With so many occasions in the year to celebrate with food, it would be unrealistic to expect your child to never be allowed to indulge. However, being selective with sweets and diligent with dental hygiene is the best way to make sure that candy today isn’t costly tomorrow. Candy is not the only culprit where cavities are concerned. Juice, pop, and even milk that is left on teeth for long periods, even overnight, can cause serious problems with your child’s teeth and gums. Decay can spread to the roots causing pain, structural instability, and a whole host of other problems. If you notice decay on your child’s teeth or signs of gum irritation, consult a periodontist to talk about root planing in Toronto and how it may help.

Lead by example

Modeling proper oral hygiene gives your child a strong foundation to continue caring for their own teeth as they grow. Daily brushing and flossing don’t need to be a battle or a chore if done together and with a bit of laughter. Maybe your child gets to play the dentist and book you in for an appointment, or maybe you have them give you a big dinosaur roar to have a good look inside their mouth. Sometimes the simplest forms of fun can get the job done! If your child sees you routinely brushing, flossing, and valuing your healthy teeth and gums, they will be more inclined to value theirs, too.

Whether your child has only baby teeth or a mix of baby and emerging adult teeth, caring for those teeth and gums is crucial to the strength, function, and safety of their oral health. If you live in the Toronto area and are concerned your child may be showing signs of gum disease, visiting a periodontist for root planing in Toronto can help make sure your children’s gums stay healthy and strong to support a lifetime of smiles.