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Periodontal Disease in Kids

Posted on by Playtime Dental

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.

Using Teeth as Tools Can Have Costly Consequences

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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.

Whitening Toothpaste: Does the ADA Seal of Acceptance Matter?

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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 programto 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.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

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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!

Composite vs. Amalgam Fillings

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So your kids’ dentist found a cavity in one of your child’s teeth. Thank goodness it’s a small cavity, but it does need filled immediately. Should it be filled with silver amalgam or composite filling material? Is there a big difference between the two materials?

Amalgam Fillings

Composed of silver, copper, tin, and liquid mercury, amalgam is a popular cavity filling material due to its strength, ease of use, and ability to withstand repetitive biting forces exerted on molars. Affordable and offering good sealing properties, amalgam can be applied quickly on moist teeth, a feature that makes it an excellent choice when filling cavities in children. Concerns about mercury poisoning from amalgam fillings has also been thoroughly researched, with the FDA concluding that mercury level in amalgam fillings is so low that it poses no threat to a child or an adult’s health. 

Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are tooth-colored fillings made from powdered quartz particles and acrylic resin, which are used to fill cavities in all teeth but is an especially popular type of “aesthetic” filling for cavities in front teeth or teeth that are visible when a person smiles. Composite resin is available in a variety of off-white shades that can be matched to your child’s enamel color, so the filling is close to invisible. However, composite resin is not as strong as amalgam fillings and is best suited for front teeth, where chewing forces are less robust.

Composite vs Amalgam

While very small to medium-sized cavities on the sides of molars or pre-molars do well with amalgams, large cavities should be filled with composite resin. Although strong, silver fillings tend to break or fall out of large cavities. Moreover, when an amalgam falls out, the tooth has usually experienced some cracking and damage that requires the dentist re-prepare the area before refilling the cavity.

What the American Dental Association Says about Amalgam and Composite Fillings

The ADA reports that amalgam is the best option to fill cavities affecting molars while composite fillings may be used to fill cavities in front and teeth that are visible when smiling or talking. Your kids’ dentist will also help you make a decision by recommending which type of filling is more appropriate for your child’s cavity after considering the size, depth, and location of the cavity.

Should kids use mouthwash?

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Parents should always be on the lookout for ways to help their children maintain and care for their teeth and gums. Sometimes, children want to add things to the oral health regimen like using mouthwash. But how effective is this for children? What are the implications of using it, and when is the appropriate time for children to begin using mouthwash? Flossing and brushing are the best methods for preventing tooth decay, but children may develop an interest in using mouthwash to help their oral hygiene. 

Young children are not advised to use mouthwash because mouthwashes may contain alcohol or fluoride components which can have harmful effects when swallowed in large amounts. It is less likely for older kids and teenagers to ingest the products—unlike younger children, particularly below the age of six. Children between six to twelve years should be supervised by adults if they have to use mouthwash for their daily oral hygiene routine. Those under the age six should avoid using fluoride mouth wash, because they could easily swallow the fluoride components.  Excess fluoride exposure for children whose permanent teeth are not fully developed can result in fluorosis, a harmless but unsightly condition that leaves spots or streaks on the teeth.

Teenagers can use mouthwash as a breath-freshening agent and, in the process, reap the benefits of a fluoride rinse. Children who have braces are good candidates for using fluoride rinses. The rinse protects their teeth from producing acid-producing plaque bacteria that builds up under the brackets. Numerous mouth rinses contain alcohol. If alcohol content is a concern as a parent, mouthwashes with no alcohol content exist and are just as efficient for freshening breath. Children should constantly be reminded that the use of mouth rinse does not replace daily flossing and tooth brushing.  Mouthwash is just one more thing that can be added to help the preservation of a healthy smile.

 Another important thing to consider is the manufacturer’s label. Precautions are outlined affirming age recommendations for use of a particular fluoride mouthwash. It is usually advisable to speak to your kid’s dentist for accurate and informed utility of any mouth rinse. Regular use of mouthwash provides additional protection against cavities as compared to those of using toothpaste alone. Such precautions will help prevent tooth decay in your children.

Tooth Brushing Basics Parents Should Know

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Good dental habits start in our youngest years. Teaching our children how to brush properly gives them a lifelong health skill.  Not only does it help their independence and confidence, it really can help them stay healthier. In this article, we’d like to address some of the most common questions about childhood brushing, such as:

Why should my kids brush their baby teeth, if they are going to fall out anyway?

To some, it may seem counterintuitive to clean something that is temporary and will eventually fall out. However, getting your children to start brushing those baby teeth will help prepare them to care for their permanent adult teeth. Remember, practice makes perfect.  As we get older, it becomes more difficult to establish a new routine, even an important one like brushing teeth. Furthermore, deciduous teeth (a fancy word for baby teeth) can still be subject to decay, plaque, and other bacteria that can lead to pain, infection and/or illness. So brushing those tiny chompers is very important!

When should my child start brushing?

Believe it or not, you can start teaching your little one to brush with his or her very first tooth! Of course, you’ll want to be the one doing the brushing until your children are old enough to hold the brush themselves (around 2 or 3 years old). You’ll also want to supervise them and even brush and floss again after they are done, until they are old enough to handle the entire process of tooth care (using the correct amount of paste, flossing, rinsing, etc.). Your kid’s dentist can help you decide when it’s appropriate to let your child do it independently.

How should my child brush?

Brushing isn’t just about swishing a brush around a few times; there really is a right way to do it. The brush should be held so the bristles are at an angle about 45 degrees, to the gums. The proper motion for tooth brushing is small circular motions on each tooth surface.  Make sure you and/or your child does it softly, with short strokes. Scrubbing too hard can actually damage the gums or cheeks. Do not forget to brush all surfaces of the teeth and the tongue, as well. And of course, be sure to thoroughly clean the brush and place it somewhere safe to dry.

How to Care for your Child’s Mouth

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Caring for your child’s teeth and gums is a very important daily habit that should not be overlooked. In fact, good oral hygiene starts at birth, long before your baby grows his or her first tooth – unless of course your child was born with teeth!  By practicing tooth care basics right from the start, you’re ensuring your child’s overall health by keeping their teeth and gums as healthy as possible.

How to care for a baby’s mouth

Once your baby is just a few days old, it is important to start caring for their gumsafter feedings. To do this, gently wipe their gums using a clean, wet washcloth or disposable gauze. This will help keep the bacteria and plaque from building up and causing gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) or other oral conditions. When your baby’s teeth do start to come in, you can begin using a baby-sized toothbrush. A light smear of fluoridated toothpaste can be used for children under the age of two.  You know you put the right amount of toothpaste on if you can still see the majority of the tips of the bristles.

How to care for your toddler’s mouth

Manual dexterity takes years to develop, which is why toddlers are not very coordinated with their hands.  Between the ages of 8 to 10 years is when a child finally has sufficient coordination to properly brush their own teeth. Until then, it is recommended that an adult do the brushing. If your child likes to brush his or her own teeth, then follow up and brush the teeth after your child does. A child size toothbrush and pea size amount of fluoridated toothpaste is what should be used to brush your toddler’s teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time. Don’t rush. Take your time.  It’s important that your child brushes a minimum of two minutes because the fluoride in toothpaste needs a full two minutes to help the teeth.

How to brush your child’s teeth

To effectively clean your child’s teeth and gums, hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle so that the bristles are aimed where the tooth and the gums meet. This will clean the area where plaque likes to build up. Also, be sure to brush all surfaces of the teeth when doing so. That means brushing the cheek surfaces of the teeth, the tongue surfaces of the teeth, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Don’t forget to brush the tongue as well to help with keeping the breath fresh.  The tongue is like a giant sponge that absorbs everything we eat as well the bacteria that live in the mouth.  Don’t brush too far back on the tongue so you don’t gag your child!
After brushing your child’s teeth and when they begin brushing on their own, be sure that you thoroughly wash the toothbrush after each use and replace the toothbrush every three months. Your child should also be spitting out any excess toothpaste from their mouths and not swallowing the toothpaste.

How to floss your child’s teeth

Once your child has grown enough teeth that touch, it’s time to start flossing. Be gentle by gliding the floss between the teeth until it reaches the gum line. Next, curve it around each tooth and gently rub the floss up and down on the tooth to remove plaque and food.  Flossing in a back and forth, or sawing motion, does not clean between the teeth and can damage the gums

Visit a kid’s dentist

It is important for your child to begin visiting the dentist as soon as possible. This will help the child eliminate the fear of the dentist and continually encourage proper oral hygiene.

Dental Care Resources

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Finding reliable, affordable kid dentistry is a task that requires gathering information from patients and reviews. A kid’s dentist should be someone you can establish a relationship with and make your child feel comfortable.

Good hygiene practices for little children

Good oral care should begin as early as possible to stave off oral issues later on. Here are some tips that should be helpful:

·         Children under the age of two should use a light smear of fluoridated toothpaste.  You will be able to see most of the bristle tips on the brush.
·         Children age two to five, should brush with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste with fluoride. Carefully supervise them brushing so they don’t swallow the excess toothpaste.
·         It is important that your child brush his or her teeth two to three times per day so that way they form the habit of doing so, which will stick with them through life. If you feel your child cannot brush properly, you should still let them brush if they are interested in doing so, but an adult should brush for them when they are done.  Use the recommended amount of toothpaste mentioned above. When the child grows teeth that touch, you should start flossing every day.

Preparing your child for a dental visit

Prevention is the best method of avoiding dental issues later on. Prepare a list of any pain or issues your child experiences with their teeth or gums before you make the visit. Any minor issues should be treated before they become too severe. Below are some questions you can ask your child prior to seeing a dentist:

  • Do you have any pain in your mouth or teeth and how bad is it?
  • Do your gums bleed?
  • Do you get a bad taste in your mouth ever?
  • Can you breathe well when you sleep?
  • Do you grind your teeth?
  • Is your mouth very dry?

Older children may be able to answer these questions, but for younger children, as a parent, you will have to make some of these observations when you help care for your child’s teeth. Finding a trusted dentist that is dedicated to children’s oral hygiene is important to ensure the best experience possible for your child or children!

Making Tooth-brushing a Priority in Your Child’s Bedtime Routine

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The bedtime routine can be challenging when dealing with small children. It’s hard to get them to settle down and focus on the job at hand – especially when that job is brushing & flossing. 

 So how can a parent make sure to make tooth-brushing a priority every single night?  

Develop a Regular Routine

Kids thrive on routine.  They like to know what’s coming next.  Make bedtime a relaxing time filled with quiet rituals.

 First set a definite time for bed. Not 8 to 9 p.m., but 8 o’clock sharp (or whatever time you choose).  Don’t deviate from that time, unless it is necessary.  If your child must be in bed by 8 p.m., then you should begin nighttime rituals at 7.  Most experts agree that it takes a child about an hour to get in the mood for bed.
Be sure to do your set rituals in the same order every night. For instance, begin with a light snack, take a bath, get the pajamas on, brush the teeth and read a story together. Once a child knows that it’s time to brush their teeth every night after the PJ’s are put on, it will become an ingrained habit that happens automatically without even a reminder. 

Make Brushing Fun

Giving your child an electric toothbrush or a sparkly toothpaste is a good way to entice him or her to brush.  The most important thing is finding what gets your child to brush so the routine can be established and maintained.
Here are a few simple ways to make tooth brushing every night more memorable:

  • Have a brushing contest. Stand next to your child and see who can brush the longest.  The goal is to brush for two minutes.  This ensures thorough cleaning of the teeth and gives the fluoride enough time to help remineralize the enamel.
  • Use disclosing tablets or a disclosing mouth rinse. Kids love to see what a good job they’ve done. Disclosing mouth rinse or tablets color the plaque which shows areas where they may have missed while brushing.
  • Award good behavior.  Brushing is a behavior that deserves reward. A sticker system is a great idea to motivate the little ones to brush and floss. Every time the child brushes without a hassle or without being told when it’s time to brush, place a sticker on the chart. You decide how many stickers it takes to earn a small reward.
  •  Let them gargle.  If your children are old enough, purchase some children’s mouthwash and let them finish their evening brushing with a good rinse and gargle.

Offer Lots of Praise

If there is one thing every kid loves it is praise.  Be sure to give loads of praise for a job well done.
Bedtime brushing and flossing should never be an afterthought.  If you as the parent make it a priority, so will your children –and that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.