When I had a badly decayed tooth extracted, I got a partial denture to fill in the gap. I didn't mind it at first, because I was just so happy to have my painful tooth out of my mouth. Over time, I began to get tired of taking it out at night. I asked my dentist if I was could get a dental implant, and he said that my gum disease did not make me a good candidate, but a fixed bridge may be a good option for me. I went with his suggestion, and I have no regrets. I love feeling like I have a real tooth again that I don't have to remove at night. I created this blog to remind other people with a missing tooth that they have many replacement options, and if one is not for you, then try another that may be right.
Brushing and flossing are key to having a healthy and appealing smile, but certain conditions that affect the mouth, teeth, and gums may still arise. An estimated 50 percent of children have a form or periodontal disease, so understanding the signs and treatment options is smart for protecting your child's oral health. This guide will help you diagnose gum disease and ensure your child receives efficient and effective treatment.
Signs of Gum Disease
Before you learn the signs of gum disease, you should learn how it develops.
Food and bacteria will build up on the teeth and gums over time. Brushing and rinsing will help remove this residue. However, your child may not be brushing properly or brushing enough, which can leave behind food and plaque. Over time, this plaque will harden, turning into tartar, which is more difficult to remove.
If plaque and tartar remain on the teeth, gum tissue will become inflamed, swollen, and infected, which is the first stage of gum disease. This stage is known as gingivitis. Here are a few signs of gingivitis:
Without treatment, gingivitis progresses into a more serious form of gum disease that causes decay and tooth loss.
Treatment Options
Prevention is your best weapon against gum disease, so begin instilling good habits into your children's life. Your child should brush twice a day, for two minutes at a time to effectively remove food, bacteria, and plaque. Flossing is also important for removing food and plaque from in between and behind the teeth.
If your child does develop gum disease, your dentist will devise a course of treatment suited to their needs. In most cases, a deep cleaning of your child's teeth will be recommended. During this cleaning, the hygienist will scrape away all plaque and tartar from the teeth and gum tissue.
Rinsing with an antibacterial solution will also be recommended to kill any bacteria inside the mouth after the cleaning. This will reduce the risk of any infections and prevent gum disease from spreading.
Antibiotic gels that are applied to the gum tissue may also be necessary in severe cases of gum disease. These will treat existing infections while stopping the gum disease from spreading through your child's mouth.
Gum disease is a serious issue that most parents do not understand. By learning the causes, signs, and treatment options, you will become more familiar with gum disease in children. For more information, contact companies like Pedodontic Associates Inc.
Share19 October 2017
