Bleeding Gums in Children: Should You Visit the Family Dentist
Your family dentist is a good source not just for maintaining healthy teeth but for treating gum problems as well. You should emphasize good brushing habits with your children, but do not forget about their gums either. If you notice that your child’s gums are bleeding, you need to consider whether a trip to the dentist’s office is necessary.
The importance of flossing
Regular brushing will maintain strong, healthy teeth. Daily flossing will also promote good oral health. This activity is good for teeth and gums. It removes particles of food, helping teeth appear brighter. It also helps keep teeth free of plaque, which also prevents the buildup of tartar. People who fail to do this can develop tooth decay along the gumline. It is difficult for the toothbrush to reach certain areas of the tooth. Flossing can do this.
What bleeding gums can indicate
Occasional minor bleeding in children’s gums should not be a big concern to the family dentist or to parents. However, when this becomes more prevalent, it could mean there is a larger problem. Often, a person’s gums will bleed because there is plaque on the teeth. This buildup can inflame and irritate the tissue around teeth, eventually causing them to bleed. This bleeding will usually occur when the child brushes their teeth, though it could happen at any time. This is the first stage of gum disease called gingivitis.
The consequences of not treating the issue
When parents ignore this condition, it will not improve on its own. It can turn into a more critical issue called periodontal disease. This condition can lead to bone loss and damage the tissue around the teeth. The gums may become infected and begin to pull away from the roots of the teeth. Eventually, the teeth can begin to fall out.
Other effects
Bleeding gums might mean the child is flossing too hard or too frequently. Some people’s gums bleed because the toothbrush they are using is not soft enough. It may also have been a long time since the child last flossed. More concerningly, bleeding gums could be a sign that the child has diabetes.
Visiting the family dentist
At routine checkups, the dentist will notice that the gums are bleeding. This may happen during the teeth-cleaning portion or when the dentist is examining them. However, parents should not wait until the six-month appointments to express concerns about bleeding gums. If this is occurring frequently and accompanies red, swollen gums, parents should call the family dentist and schedule a time to treat the problem.
Address it early
If you notice that your child’s gums are inflamed and bleeding regularly, you need to do something about it. Putting off a visit to the family dentist will only lead to more damaging issues. Take your child’s oral health seriously and have the dentist do an examination. If you catch gum disease in its early stages, you can prevent more damage and restore oral health. Call the dental office and make an appointment today.
Request an appointment here: https://atlantapamperedsmiles.com or call Pampered Smiles at (404) 891-9489 for an appointment in our Atlanta office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Recent Posts
Maintaining routine dental care is important for oral and overall health, but many patients have questions about what it consists of beyond daily brushing and flossing. The right answers can help patients of any age understand the importance of providing optimum care for their teeth and the possible issues if they fail to follow through.…
Dental hygiene practices should include more than brushing and flossing, but when life gets busy, routine dental care is all too often left to the bare minimum. Even when your daily schedule is uncertain, do not let oral health slip to a last-minute thought before jumping into bed. It is possible to develop dental care…
Invisalign® gives you a straighter smile without the inconveniences of conventional braces. Read on to learn about Invisalign and how often you can expect new aligners during treatment. Invisalign patients see their dentist once every six weeks on average during treatment. These brief office visits allow the dental professional to check that your treatment is…
When patients go for routine dental care, they may or may not have X-rays taken of their mouths. Dentists use these important diagnostic tools to check all layers of the tooth. While a key part of routine care, X-ray imaging may not be taken every visit. Every patient is different, and the recommended frequency for…