Gum Disease Prevention

How Gum Disease Starts

Your child’s mouth naturally produces a sticky compound called plaque. Without adequate brushing and flossing, plaque develops on the teeth.

The germs in plaque produce toxins, or contaminants, that aggravate the gums and cause infection. As the infection increases in severity, it breaks down the bones and tissues that hold your teeth in place.

Gingivitis And Periodontitis

Untreated gingivitis may turn into periodontitis, the more extreme type of gum disease. The initial phase of gum illness, called gingivitis, is the mildest type of gum illness and is common in children.

Aggressive periodontitis can impact your child even if he/she is otherwise healthy. It mainly impacts the first molars and incisors, and is defined by the severe loss of jaw bone.

During this stage of gum disease, the gums become red and inflamed, and may bleed after brushing or flossing. Gingivitis is frequently pain-free, so your child might not mention it. With professional treatment and everyday attention to oral hygiene, gingivitis can be reversed prior to it progresses.

If you think that your child may be experiencing gingivitis or periodontitis, make an appointment with us at New Bremen Smiles right away. We can diagnose the issue, identify how far the illness has progressed, and advise an appropriate treatment.