Not Just Teeth - A Healthy Mouth is More Than Preventing Cavities

By Dr. Alma Correia, Baptiste Dentistry for Kids

With all of the talk about preventing cavities and tooth decay, it's easy to forget that other oral health issues could arise if you do not follow a proper oral hygiene routine. An important topic talked about in this blog is gum health!

The most common questions many parents have asked me throughout my years in dentistry are, "Why do my child's gums bleed" or "When I floss my child's teeth, the gums begin to bleed."

Lack of flossing or improper brushing can lead to various conditions of the gum tissue. Gingivitis being one of the most common conditions I see in teens and young children. It's a mild form of gum disease, which causes redness, irritation, swelling and bleeding of the tissue. Commonly, this is found in the gum tissue between the teeth or where the gums and teeth meet. As previously stated, gingivitis is a result of bad oral hygiene. We often find that as soon as we start brushing patients' teeth and removing plaque around the gum line, they immediately start bleeding. During these moments, I let the patient look in the mirror so they know where they need to improve their flossing and brushing. Gingivitis is even a problem in young babies due to parents not brushing efficiently along the gumline.

There are different stages of gingivitis; mild, moderate or severe. Gingivitis can be localized (in one area of the mouth) or generalized (throughout the mouth). Photo A shows how localized gingivitis may present itself. In the front, the gum tissue around the upper teeth is inflamed and red, but other areas in the mouth appear normal.

Leaving gingivitis untreated may cause the disease to advance into a more severe condition called periodontitis. Periodontitis is a gum infection that can destroy the bone structure around the teeth, which can cause the teeth to fall out. It's mainly seen in adults. In fact, approximately 42 percent of adults 30 years old or older have periodontitis, according to the American Dental Association.

Photo B shows the stages of gum health, ranging from healthy teeth and gums to gingivitis to periodontitis. I don't see many patients with periodontitis; however, I stress the importance of establishing good oral hygiene habits as a kid, so they continue into adulthood. Many children only focus on the areas of the teeth that they can see, and miss the parts right along the gums when brushing their teeth.

Photo C displays the proper technique for brushing. When brushing your teeth, make sure the toothbrush is held at a 45-degree angle, which allows the bristles to clean both the gums and teeth.