Taking care of and maintaining dental hygiene is especially important for kids since they are at a growing age. Failing to maintain oral hygiene in kids can cause tooth decay, gum diseases, and many other oral health issues. Not only that, but it can also have an impact on their overall health. But do you know a common gum disease, gingivitis, affects about 50% of kids? (Science Direct: Gingivitis)
It causes gingival inflammation and discomfort and can prove to be a concerning issue if not managed properly. In this article, we will walk through five major causes of gingivitis in children and discuss some ideas on how parents could aid in guarding their children’s gums.
Environmental Factors and Tobacco Use
Although adults more often use tobacco, children’s oral health may also be affected by secondhand smoking. Youngsters growing up in homes where smoking takes place can be more likely to get Gingivitis. Tobacco smoke can cause gum irritation and aggravation of inflammation.
Additionally, environmental elements such as stress also affect a child’s general well-being, including their dental health. That is why, parents should establish a smoke-free home and support sensible stress-related coping strategies. They can help lower their children’s gingivitis risk by attending to certain environmental elements.
Also, parents should teach their children about the risks of smoking and how it could affect their general and dental conditions. Reducing the risk of gum disease and encouraging improved long-term dental care practices depend on clean and healthy surroundings at home.
DO YOU KNOW? The prevalence of gingivitis increases with age, and it is most common in people over the age of 55.
Bad Methods of Oral Hygiene
Among children, Gingivitis is mostly caused by inadequate dental hygiene. Youngsters who forget to floss and wash their teeth often run the danger of developing plaque on their gums and teeth. Plaque on teeth is a sticky film of bacteria that, left unbroken, can irritate gum tissue.
Children could forget to brush entirely or find it difficult to apply correct brushing techniques. Parents should watch over and help young children with their dental cleaning schedule. Gingivitis risk can be greatly lowered by following a regular brushing twice a day and flossing a daily habit.
To develop a rewarding system and inspire children, parents can use interesting toothbrushes and flavored toothpaste, this will help them make brushing and flossing more entertaining. Early gingivitis symptoms should be caught by regular dental visits, which also help to guarantee children’s oral hygiene practices are good.
Diet and Food: Nutrition
Oral health is strongly influenced by diet; inadequate nutrition can lead to Gingivitis in young people. A diet heavy in sugary snacks and drinks can encourage the development of dangerous mouthfuls of germs. These bacteria create acids that could aggravate the gums and cause inflammation. Encouragement of healthy snacks and restriction of sugary candies can assist in preserving children’s gums and general dental conditions.
Apart from a well-balanced diet, making sure kids sip enough water all day helps eliminate food particles and sugars, therefore lowering their chance of developing plague. By teaching children the advantages of a healthy diet for their teeth, they can develop good habits early on and choose better foods.
Changes in Hormones
Children’s Gingivitis can also be caused in part by hormonal changes, especially when going through puberty. Growing children’s gums might be impacted by hormonal changes, which increases their sensitivity and inflammatory tendency. Higher hormone levels might cause alterations in blood flow to the gums, which would swell and cause discomfort. Children’s ability to keep appropriate dental hygiene may be more difficult due to this sensitivity, raising their gingivitis risk.
Parents should be aware of these developments and inspire their children to give their oral care particular attention during these growth phases. Children often also suffer from dry mouth or changes in saliva during puberty, which aggravates gum problems. Some of the discomfort can be reduced and Gingivitis avoided by encouraging consistent brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use throughout this period.
DO YOU KNOW? You can catch gingivitis from someone else through sharing utensils, kissing, or even drinking from the same glass due to bacteria transmission through saliva.
Medical Problems
In youngsters, some medical disorders can raise their likelihood of Gingivitis. Diseases like diabetes can influence blood sugar levels and compromise the body’s capacity to fight infections, including gum disease. Children with impaired immune systems or those on drugs that produce dry mouth may also be more vulnerable to Gingivitis. Parents should let their child’s healthcare professional know about any underlying medical issues that can affect dental health.
Regular dental visits can help to monitor the child’s gum condition and take care of any medical condition-associated issues. Medical disorders occasionally may call for certain oral care regimens, including using particular toothpaste or mouth rinses to control symptoms. Those of you living in San Diego can see a pediatric dentist in Chula Vista in addition to the child’s doctor to guarantee a complete method in preserving good gum health and gingivitis prevention.
Conclusion
Children can have an avoidable gum disease called Gingivitis; hence, maintaining excellent oral health depends on knowing its causes. Gingivitis usually develops in part from poor oral hygiene habits, diet and nutrition, hormonal changes, medical problems, and environmental causes.
Parents can help protect their children’s gums and guarantee a healthy smile by stressing good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and possible risk factors. Monitoring gum condition and handling any early issues depend on regular dental visits as well.
