Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease and at its severest it can cause one’s gums to move away from their teeth which will eventually cause the formation of pockets. This can eventually lead to infections that the body will try to fight by breaking down connective tissues surrounding the teeth. The ultimate end result can be loose teeth that possibly can be to fall out.
So the question is, what is the risk that teenagers can develop gum disease? Do they have a higher risk of getting it?
They do in fact have a higher risk than adults, and that’s because of the hormonal change that go on through the teenage years. The increase in hormone levels allows blood to flow at an increased level throughout the body. This includes to the gums, which means teens are more sensitive to irritation, food particles, and plaque at the gums. This is what causes them to become red and to feel sensitive.
It is most common for teens to develop gingivitis, a milder form of gum disease compared to the most severe form, periodontitis. The symptoms of gingivitis are red gums that bleed easily and that can become inflamed and swollen. Gingivitis can lead to periodontitis if you do not get it treated at the right time.
What can you do to help prevent your teen from developing any form of gum disease? The best way to keep an infection that could leave to gum disease from starting is to brush and floss regularly. This means brushing your teeth and flossing between them two times each day. It is a good idea to get your teen into a pattern in the morning and before bed.
Having the right techniques for oral hygiene is also important. If you book an appointment with us, our North Delta pediatric dentists can look at your teen’s teeth to find out how they could improve their technique and give them and you advice to keep healthy teeth that look and feel good.
It’s also vital that you set a good example by keeping solid oral hygiene habits yourself, so your teen will be able to see that having a healthy smile is something that everyone has to work at no matter what their age.
Please contact our children’s dentist in North Delta, who knows the struggles that teens and their parents can have with maintaining good habits and developing solid techniques.