Can Kids Get Gingivitis?
We typically think of gingivitis as a concern of older adults. But, chronic gingivitis in children is actually quite common. While gingivitis in adults is often partly due to other factors, such as pregnancy, age and menopause; gingivitis in children is almost always due simply to poor oral hygiene.
It’s no surprise that kids don’t always like to brush their teeth or floss, or that they don’t always do the best job. But, if kids don’t develop good oral hygiene habits while they’re young, they can set themselves up for all sorts of dental problems for the future.
It’s important to start your kids out young with a good oral hygiene routine. This should include brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Scraping the tongue and using mouthwash is also important to a good oral hygiene routine.
It is important, however, to choose mouthwash products for children carefully. Many mouthwashes contain alcohol, which makes them unsuitable for use by children. Using all natural products, such as those made with mint oil, is a much better choice because it allows you to clean your mouth and avoid all the artificial ingredients and additives that can be unsafe and cause side effects.
Some children are more susceptible to gingivitis and periodontal disease than others. Children with diabetes, Down’s syndrome, Kindler Syndrome and Papillon-Lefevre Syndrome are all more prone to periodontal problems. In addition, a predisposition to periodontal problems can be inherited. Therefore, parents who have had troubles with gingivitis and periodontal disease themselves should watch their children more closely for problems and ensure a good oral hygiene routine at home. Taking all children to the dentist for twice yearly cleanings is also critical.
Getting kids to brush and floss properly is often difficult. For the first several years of life, parents should help their children with brushing and flossing. For several more years after that it is often necessary for parents to supervise brushing among their children. Even as kids reach middle school age, they may need to be reminded to brush.
Can gingivitis be cured? The answer is a likely yes, and the best cure, of course, is preventing it from the beginning. Getting your kids in the habit of good oral hygiene at a young age is critical. Once brushing, flossing and using mouthwash truly become a habit, most kids will continue to have good oral hygiene habits for life. These good habits are key to avoiding gingivitis and all the other issues that come along with it as they get older, too.