Gum-related disease, frequently referred to as periodontal disease, is a problem that affects adults almost exclusively. However, it can also sometimes affect children severely. The disease can affect their oral hygiene and overall wellness.
Periodontal disease can lead to tremendous complications for children in their natural age of growth and development. Prolonged inflammation in the gum tissues can negatively affect the growth or alignment of your child’s teeth. When that happens, it can lead to irregularities like malocclusion or the delayed appearance of permanent teeth.
Ultimately, severe periodontal gingivitis can lead to tooth loss, which can negatively impact a child’s ability to properly chew, clearly enunciate, and maintain nutritionally healthy meal intake. Any premature tooth loss can be a considerable cause of malocclusion and negatively affect the condition of oral health as well.
Kids with periodontal disease may experience pain, discomfort, and piercing of their gums. It can bring a dramatic change in their way of life. For instance, they tend to have problems with eating and speaking, not to mention the reduced quality of daily life.
Experts at Pediatric Dentistry Scottsdale have the skills and resources to deal with periodontal disease and prevent or reverse its negative impacts on children. They can do this through different approaches, including disease prevention, educating children and their parents or guardians, and treating the disease. Here are some ways pediatric dentists work towards this goal:
Education and preventive care
Dentists often educate children and parents about the significance of maintaining an oral hygiene regime, such as brushing, flossing, and maintaining a balanced diet. They often highlight the importance of early interventions for the well-known periodontal disease. On top of that, fluoride treatments and dental sealants may be offered to stop young teeth from going bad or becoming inflamed.
Regular dental check-ups
Pediatric dental specialists propose regular dental controls for children at six-month intervals. While conducting the visits, they examine the child’s teeth, gums, and general oral health. The early symptoms of periodontal disease, including gingival inflammation or bleeding, can be detected and addressed to stop its advancement.
Scaling and Root Planing
Nevertheless, they use scaling and root planning techniques when periodontal disease has progressed, and treatment has to be done. The scaling is meant to clean all plaque and tartars from the teeth and below the gums. Root planing follows, where the smooth root surfaces are achieved to promote gum tissue reattachments. Such interventions assist the body in fighting off bacterial infections, and this guarantees that there will be no progression of damage to the gums and supporting structures.
Collaboration with other healthcare providers
Pediatric dentists often develop a multidisciplinary network of co-working professionals like pediatricians and periodontists to ensure a comprehensive care plan for children with periodontal disease. They may receive referrals from patients to get to the consensus specialists like atmospheric treatment or management of related conditions like diabetes that contribute to gum disease. Led by collaborative endeavors, the root causes for dental care are addressed, and the children’s systemic dental and systemic health is improved.
Behavioral counseling and motivational support
Pediatric dentists often focus on individual guidance and inspiring support for dentistry that would help children and their parents develop the proper dental habits. Incorporating the essence of these topics, they convey the significance of regular oral health practices and provide specific tips and tricks for healthy gum and teeth. By eliminating any aesthetics of oral care and putting good habits in place, pediatric dentists empower children to adopt stewardship over their oral health and prevent the occurrence or progress eye of periodontitis.
Utilization of advanced technologies
Pediatric dentists continuously apply modern techniques amounting to the novelties in dental technology that can be brought to the practice to improve the diagnosis and provision of treatment for periodontal diseases in children. Technologies including digital radiography, intraoral cameras, and laser treatment allow for more accurate gum disease diagnosis and precise treatment delivery with minimum discomfort to the patient.