Are Children at Risk for Developing Gum Disease?

As a parent, you want only the absolute best for your child, and that includes their dental care. You take them to see their children’s dentist in Northwest Dallas, you limit their consumption of sugary foods and beverages, and you make sure they brush and floss every day. Sometimes, however, these habits are not enough to keep gum disease at bay in adults. But what about children? Are they susceptible to gum disease? Continue reading to find out.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a bacterial infection in the gum tissue. It’s commonly characterized by red, swollen gums that bleed easily when brushing and flossing. The condition may also manifest in sore gums leading to sensitive teeth, and even a receding gumline that leaves the sensitive roots of the teeth exposed. Eventually, if gum disease isn’t treated and is allowed to progress, it can make the teeth become loose in their sockets and even fall out!

How Does Gum Disease Develop?

Have you ever heard the saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” That is especially important in gum disease treatment and dentistry in general. The condition is much easier to prevent than it is to treat.

Gum disease usually develops as a result of poor oral hygiene. This means not enough brushing, flossing, and making your biannual checkups with your dentist. By staying on top of your dental hygiene, you can prevent plaque buildup that causes gum disease.

Plaque is a sticky biofilm made of bacteria and leftover particles from the food and drink we consume. When bacteria in plaque feast on these particles, they create acid that eats away at your tooth enamel and gum tissue. This causes not only gum disease, but tooth decay as well. To keep these problems at bay, brush at least twice a day, and floss once daily.

Are Children at Risk for Gum Disease?

Unfortunately, children are just as at risk for gum disease as adults are. As mentioned earlier, however, the condition can be largely prevented by stepping up your and your child’s oral hygiene regimen. That means more brushing and flossing, and less consumption of sugary foods and beverages. It also means taking them to see their dentist at least twice a year.

Just because gum disease commonly affects adults doesn’t mean that children aren’t also at risk. By instilling good dental hygiene habits in them from a young age, you can help keep gum disease at bay.

About the Practice

At Bear Creek Family Dentistry, we have eleven locations conveniently scattered across the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. We have a team of dental experts, including a periodontist, or a specialist in treating gum disease in Northwest Dallas. To learn more, you can contact our Love Field location at (214) 350-5333.