Gum disease can happen at any time to patients of all ages. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to prevent gum disease in kids. From regular dental trips and sealants to routine dental care, preventing gum disease is as easy as teaching your child the importance of dental care. Here, we cover six gum disease prevention methods for kids, so you can keep your kid’s gums healthy and happy for years to come.
Brush Twice Daily
Brushing twice a day not only helps keep your teeth healthy, but it also benefits your gums. If your child has sensitive, bleeding gums, talk to their dentist about your options. In many cases, using a softer toothbrush helps keep your teeth clean without irritating your child’s mouth. In addition, brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste prevents childhood cavities and removes plaque that bacteria feed on, preventing gum disease or gingivitis.
Visit the Pediatric Dentist Twice a Year
Visiting the dentist regularly is for much more than cavity prevention. Doing a twice-yearly cleaning helps remove tartar and plaque from your child’s teeth and allows the pediatric dentist to check for signs of receding gumlines and gum disease. In addition, regular dental visits allow your child’s dentist to check for potential dental issues and catch them early enough to treat them at the source. Getting your child to visit a dentist twice a year can benefit their dental health for their whole life.
Get Dental Sealants
Dental sealants seal the surface of your child’s teeth to keep bacteria, food, plaque, and tartar from getting caught in the surface of their molars. Dental sealants are primarily used to prevent tooth decay but can stave off gingivitis by lowering the number of bacteria trapped in your child’s mouth. In addition, your child may need dental sealants if their back teeth are grooved or prone to cavities. Thankfully, dental sealants are easy for your dentist to apply and can be done during a routine pediatric dental visit.
Floss Daily
Flossing removes food and plaque between your child’s teeth, staving off gum infections and irritation. If your child has difficulty flossing, invest in individual plastic flossers. These flossers are easier to grip and can come in various colors and shapes to make flossing fun. Flossing early on can also prevent cavities and keep your child’s teeth healthier and happier than if they didn’t floss. If your child needs to learn how to floss, your pediatric dentist can help.
Limit the Sugary Drinks
While juice, soda, and other sugary drinks are delicious, they’re not good for your child’s teeth. Limit sugary drinks, as these can feed bacteria and worsen gingivitis and cavities. If your child does have a sugary drink, make sure they drink water with it and don’t hold the juice or soda in their mouth too long, as this can damage their teeth.
Eat Healthy Foods
Focusing on feeding your child healthy foods like vegetables can stave off gingivitis and cavities and improve their overall dental health. In addition, ensure they get plenty of calcium in their diet, which can help build strong teeth.
If you have concerns about childhood gingivitis or are interested in finding a pediatric dentist, contact Smile First Pediatric Dentistry at (631) 563-7462 or schedule an appointment here. We’ll happily answer any questions and set up an appointment today.
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