Pediatric Periodontitis: Causes and Symptoms
Posted on: 19 May 2021
If your child experiences bleeding gums when brushing and flossing, then he or she may have gingivitis. Childhood gingivitis is a common finding in pediatric dentistry practices, and it can usually be quickly reversed with a good oral hygiene routine. If gingivitis is left untreated, it may progress to periodontitis, which is a severe form of periodontal disease. Here are some common causes and symptoms of pediatric periodontitis.
Periodontitis Causes
Periodontitis in children is often from poor oral hygiene. If your child does not brush and floss regularly, then he or she may be at a heightened risk for developing periodontal disease as a result of bacterial buildup and subsequent infection. Certain diseases such as diabetes and autoimmune disorders can also raise your child's risk for periodontitis. Juvenile diabetes, also known as type I diabetes, is more common in children than type II diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus.
Unlike juvenile diabetes, which is thought to be autoimmune in nature, diabetes mellitus can be from obesity and certain medications such as corticosteroids. In addition, certain children have a genetic predisposition to periodontal disease, and while genetics and a family history of periodontal disease can raise your child's risk, they do not guarantee that your child will develop periodontitis. Also, drugs used to manage seizure disorders can predispose children to periodontitis, as can hormonal changes and frequent tooth grinding.
Periodontitis Symptoms
In the early stages of periodontitis, your child may experience red and swollen gums that bleed when brushing, flossing, and chewing. As the disease progresses, bleeding may occur spontaneously without any provocation. The gums may also be painful, and evidence of gum recession may also be present. Furthermore, your child's bite may change, meaning that he or she may develop an overbite or underbite as a result of periodontitis. Bad breath, tooth shifting, and loose teeth may also develop.
Purulent drainage or pus may develop under the gumline and between the teeth as a result of periodontal disease, which usually indicates a severe infection. If the infection is not recognized and treated with antibiotics, the risk for tooth loss may increase.
If your child develops any of the above symptoms, make an appointment with the pediatric dentist as soon as possible. While these symptoms may be associated with other oral disorders, they may be from advanced periodontal disease. When pediatric periodontitis is recognized and treated promptly, your child will be less likely to develop permanent bone damage and subsequent tooth loss. Speak to companies like New England Dental Specialists of Norwood to learn more.
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