Periodontal
disease is a growing problem among children, particularly those at the
onset of puberty. Periodontal disease, sometimes referred to as gum disease, is
a serious problem that can affect one's overall health and contribute to gum,
bone, and tooth loss.
What Types of Periodontal Disease Are Common in Children?
During
puberty, abrupt hormonal changes cause increased circulation to the gums, which
may cause them to become more sensitive to food particles or inadequate oral
hygiene. Three types of
periodontal disease are
common:
- Chronic gingivitis is the most common gum disease in children. Easily
avoided through brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits, chronic
gingivitis can cause red and swollen gums. Sometimes the gums may bleed,
particularly when flossing. If left untreated, it can progress to more
serious forms of periodontal disease.
- Aggressive periodontitis is most commonly found in teens and young adults. The
condition generally affects the first molars and incisors and is
characterized by a loss of alveolar bone.
- Generalized aggressive periodontitis usually begins around puberty and is characterized by
heavy plaque and calculus (tartar) build-up. If not treated, tooth
loss may result.
Advice for Parents
Parents
are important role models when it comes to the importance of oral hygiene and
care. By taking excellent care of your own teeth, you show your children
the importance of keeping a healthy mouth. In addition, we recommend:
- Looking
at your child's gums and teeth for evidence of bleeding and swelling. Gums
that have a bright red appearance or are visibly pulling away from the
teeth are evidence of periodontal disease
- Encouraging
an oral care routine that involves twice daily brushing and flossing
early. This will pay off as your child becomes more independent
and these practices remain habits
- Ensuring
that your child visits a kids' dentist twice each year for a routine
cleaning (or prophylaxis) and evaluation. This type of cleaning removes calculus
(tartar) and plaque at the gum line, which can lead to gum irritation and
gingivitis, thus preventing periodontal disease.
Your kids' dentist is your partner in oral
health. Make certain you contact the office right away if you suspect your
child may have the beginning signs of gum disease. Caught early, gum disease is
highly treatable and permanent damage can be avoided.
When
people think of their children’s dental health, they only think of brushing and
flossing. However, protecting teeth from damage is an important part of
dental health. Many people do not realize that using teeth as tools can
severely damage their teeth.
Using Teeth as Tools
Kids
discover early that their teeth can also be used as a
tool. Tough-to-open potato chip bags, hanging pieces of string,
hard-to-open caps, and even stubborn yogurt containers can quickly be addressed
by kids using their teeth. Their teeth are always accessible and
convenient. However, teeth should never be used as tools. Unfortunately,
once kids begin using their teeth as a tool, it becomes a habit and the
practice is hard to stop.
Potential for Damage
Using
teeth as tools can have painful consequences for children. In fact, using
teeth in the wrong way as a child can cause issues that will plague them into
adulthood.
- Chips and Cracks: When used incorrectly, teeth can easily become
chipped, requiring repair by your kids' dentist
- Grooves: If
teeth are frequently used as tools, grooves may develop in the enamel
- Breaks: In
severe circumstances, teeth can break when used incorrectly, resulting in
pain and/or a costly repair
- TMJ (Temporal Mandibular Joint): Using teeth as tools can cause them to wear
incorrectly and harm the alignment of the jaw. This poor alignment
can cause issues with a person’s Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ) and
result in Temporal Mandibular Dysfunction (TMD), a serious jaw disorder
that can result in tightness, pain, and headaches.
If your
children frequently use their teeth as tools, ask your kids’ dentist to look for signs
of damage.
Lead by Example
Children
mirror their parents’ behavior. Chances are that if you use your teeth as
tools, your children will too. Lead by example and take time to get the
correct tool to complete your tasks instead of your teeth.
For additional information on dental health and how to
protect the health of your children’s teeth, come talk to us at Playtime Dental.
While
plenty of toothpaste manufacturers use the term “whitening” quite loosely, many
toothpastes don't actually do much to whiten the teeth. So don't venture on out
to the supermarket and pick up any old container of toothpaste that is touted
for its whitening capabilities and think that it will make your teeth as white
as snow.
Thankfully,
you don't have to conduct hours of research to figure out which toothpastes are
legitimate whiteners. The American Dental Association has done the work for
you. Check out the ADA Seal of
Acceptance program
to find out which toothpastes really have polishing and chemical agents that
will make your teeth nice and white. The ADA has invested significant time,
effort and resources into studying all of the toothpastes on the market to find
out which really remove surface stains.
The ADA's
Seal of Acceptance program is the result of two decades worth of monitoring
various tooth-whitening products. This market has absolutely exploded in recent
years, so it is quite helpful to have a watchdog group oversee all of the
activity to determine which toothpastes really live up to their claims. Plenty
of toothpastes do not have the ability to gently polish or provide chemical
chelation or other non-bleaching actions that whiten teeth. Only opt for those
that are recommended by your dentist and carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
In a
nutshell, the term “whitening” means a process that makes teeth look whiter.
Toothpastes use either bleach or non-bleaching agents to accomplish this.
Bleach alters the natural color of teeth with peroxide, which removes surface
stains as well as stains that have settled deeply into the teeth. Non-bleaching
agents cause a chemical or physical action that removes the surface stains
along teeth.
Whitening
products can be distributed by dentists for use at home, applied by dentists in
a dental office or bought over the counter. It is prudent to wait for a
one-on-one consultation with your kids' dentist before you choose your
children's whitening toothpaste. The same is true for adult patients. A
dentist's input is especially valuable to patients who have egregiously dark
stains, crowns and fillings. The dentist will advise whether bleaching is
appropriate and will also help determine a properly sequenced treatment plan.
What Is Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous
oxide is a type of sedative gas often used at the dentist's office. It is more
commonly known as "laughing gas" because of the giggles that
sometimes result from its use. It is a colorless and odorless gas that is
administered through a small mask worn over the nose. Nitrous oxide is mixed
with oxygen in order to keep the effects of the gas mild and so it can be used
for longer durations of time in a safe manner.
Nitrous
oxide is used to help patients relax in the dental chair. After about 30
seconds of breathing the nitrous oxide and oxygen mixture, the sedative and
pain-relieving effects will set in. Peak
affects are reached in less than five minutes. One of the major benefits of
using nitrous oxide is how quickly it takes effect and wears off. Slight
lightheadedness and the giggles are common when a patient is under nitrous
oxide sedation. It reduces pain and induces an all-encompassing pleasurable
feeling in the body.
Why Use Nitrous Oxide in Children?
Many
adults have fears of going to the dentist and so do most children. Nitrous oxide
is a great tool that many kids' dentists will likely recommend. Because of
its relaxing and calming effect on patients, nitrous oxide is perfect for
children who are afraid of dental procedures. It is also ideal for children
with sensitive teeth, and it does increase the pain threshold of a person,
little or big. Many children have sensitive gag reflexes that make completing
dental procedures difficult, but the use of nitrous oxide usually minimizes the
gag reflex. Mixing nitrous oxide with oxygen, which is always done in any
medical/dental setting, makes it safe for long periods of time. This can make
longer procedures much more bearable for young children. The amount of nitrous
oxide the child is receiving can be altered very easily by the dentist if an
adjustment is needed.
What to Expect and How to Prepare
Before a
dental visit that requires the use of nitrous oxide sedation, it is best to eat
just a light meal, no less than 2 hours before the procedure. During the
procedure, the child will remain fully conscious. The effects of nitrous oxide
wear off very quickly once 100% oxygen is administered at the end of the
procedure. Within a few minutes, the child will have no lasting effects from
the gas. Some kids get so relaxed that
they behave like they normally would after they wake from a good night’s sleep.
For further questions about using nitrous oxide for
your child’s dentist appointment, call Playtime Dental and we will be more than
happy to answer any more questions or concerns you might have!
