If your child has been diagnosed with gum disease, you may not know what steps to take next. Most parents have never been through the process before, so they may not know how to handle the situation.
One of the most significant resources for parents to have is a pediatric dental specialist in Phoenix. This way, they can catch gum disease early on, or better yet, prevent it from developing. It’s important to know the signs and stages of gum disease as a parent so that you can be prepared for the best ways to treat it.
What are the signs your child might be developing gum disease?
- Swollen or bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
- Receding gumline
- Halitosis that doesn’t go away with brushing
- Pain when eating or chewing
What are the signs of gum disease that Phoenix pediatric dentists look for?
Gingivitis
This stage can last weeks and is entirely avoidable with preventative care like flossing and brushing often. Treating this kind of gum disease swiftly is essential to a full recovery. It’s wise to see a pediatric dental specialist in Phoenix as soon as you notice these signs.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a gum infection but much more severe than gingivitis. According to pediatric dentists in Phoenix, this kind of infection causes damage to the soft tissue in the gum. If left untreated, it will eat away at the bone that holds the teeth in place. There are three stages to periodontitis – slight, moderate, and severe or advanced periodontal disease.
Slight Periodontal Disease
When gum disease has reached this stage, it is irreversible. This means if there is damage that has been done, it cannot be fixed through regular cleanings.
Moderate Periodontal Disease
Much like stage one, moderate periodontitis damage cannot be undone or fixed with cleanings. However, bone loss is more extreme. The bacteria that have damaged your child’s gums and bone can now make its way into the bloodstream. Scaling and root planing are necessary in to clean the bacteria on a root level.
These procedures can be a bit painful for your child, but they are necessary to preserve their teeth and mouth health. Seeing an affordable kids dentist in Phoenix regularly can help prevent these difficult and painful procedures.
Severe or Advanced Periodontal Disease
Severe periodontitis involves bone loss that is much greater than all of the previous stages, even up to 90%. Not treating periodontal disease right away could lead to underdeveloped teeth or permanent tooth loss. Gaps in teeth, bleeding gums, and painful pus pockets are all likely in this stage.
At The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix & Orthodontics, a top pediatric dentist in Phoenix, we strive to give families and children the preventive care needed to prevent painful and damaging conditions. We strive to give every family access to quality dental care for their kids, which is why we are an AHCCCS kids dentist in Phoenix.
Call us at (602) 903-4894 or visit our website to fill out a form and book an appointment today!
