Periodontal disease in children is a dental ailment that occurs against the background of a critical lack of nutrients necessary for the formation of paradental tissues. The development of the disease in the advanced stages is accompanied by the appearance of dystrophic changes in the structure of periodontal, gum and jaw bones. Periodontal disease in a child is quite rare. Most often, pathological changes affect the body of adults. However, without timely therapy in the long term, the disease can cause progressive destruction of the gum tissue and tooth loss. Let's look at the symptoms and treatment of periodontal disease in children.
About the causes of the disease
In children, periodontal disease (photos of manifestations can be viewed on special resources) is able to form under the influence of the following adverse factors:
- Refusal from timely treatment of diseases of the oral cavity (periodontitis, gingivitis).
- Poor oral care, irregular brushing.
- Ignoring the need for periodic removal of tartar.
- The hereditary predisposition of the baby to the resolution of periodontal tissues.
- Endocrine disruptions.
- The presence of systemic pathologies (HIV infection, vascular dystonia, diabetes mellitus).
- Inhibition of the protective functions of the body.
- Various kinds of vitamin deficiency, deficiency of essential minerals for the body.
- An unbalanced diet, which leads to a lack of calcium in the body.
Characteristic symptoms
The primary symptom of periodontal disease in children is an increase in the sensitivity of the teeth to the effects of various kinds of irritants, in particular, cold and hot food. Parents often do not pay due attention to this complaint from the baby. Since the sign of the development of pathology is able to disappear for a long time and reaffirm itself in the long term.
In the future, the child experiences physical and aesthetic discomfort due to exposure of the neck of the teeth near the root. Troubles accompany the formation of a feeling of persistent itching in the adjacent gums. Local fabrics change their color from bright pink to pale. Due to the destruction of periodontal tissues, tooth enamel becomes darker, experiencing a deficiency of nutrients. A characteristic sign of periodontal disease in a child is the appearance of a persistent putrefactive odor from the oral cavity.
Stages of the disease
Dentists distinguish several stages of the formation of periodontal disease:
- Mild - occurs without severe symptoms. The child practically does not feel discomfort. Occasionally, a baby may complain of minor tingling sensations in the area of the roots of the teeth.
- Medium - periodontal disease in a child begins to gradually manifest itself at full strength. The incidence of bleeding gums increases. Trouble occurs not only during the care of the oral cavity, but also during the meal. Between the teeth, an abundance of food begins to get stuck, causing an unpleasant odor.
- Severe - becomes visible to the naked eye rotting tissue near the tooth roots. Gums are periodically covered by ulcerative formations. Teeth loose from the slightest physical impact. Degenerative changes in the structure of local tissues are rapidly progressing.
Diagnostics
It is not difficult for a dentist to determine the characteristic signs of the formation of periodontal disease. Typical manifestations of the disease are clearly visible with a visual examination of the condition of the oral cavity. In order to confirm a disappointing diagnosis, doctors often prescribe an X-ray, which allows you to notice the depletion of bone tissue in the picture.
An important role in making the right conclusion is played by a blood test. The results of a clinical study make it possible to determine the presence of pathologies of internal organs that can affect the formation of periodontal disease. Additionally, the diagnostic doctor can give the child a referral to a therapist, endocrinologist, and gastroenterologist.
Drug therapy
The elimination of the consequences of the development of periodontal disease in a child 1.5 years of age and older is a troublesome task. Achieving positive change requires the use of integrated solutions. To stop the progress of the disease, doctors prescribe pharmacological agents that not only stop unpleasant symptoms, but also eliminate the root cause of the disease.
The medical treatment of periodontal disease in children in the early stages involves the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics along with anti-inflammatory drugs. The solution makes it possible to remove swelling of the gums and suppress the activity of pathogenic bacteria, which massively multiply in the structure of damaged tissues. Before prescribing antibiotics, the doctor must carry out studies that make it possible to assess the degree of resistance of bacteria parasitizing in the oral cavity to the effects of the active components of the drug.
If the disease proceeds in an advanced stage, the attending physician may additionally prescribe medications that have a strengthening effect on the immune system. The indicated treatment strategy is due to the fact that progressive destruction of periodontal tissues is noted against the background of a significant decrease in the protective functions of the body.
Gum massage
One of the methods of treating periodontal disease in a child of 4 years of age and older is performing therapeutic massage. The solution helps to normalize blood flow in the problem area. The result of such effects is the accelerated delivery of oxygen to damaged tissues, the saturation of local structures with an abundance of nutrients.
The first gum massage sessions are performed by a doctor in a clinical setting. Parents need to carefully monitor the actions of the dentist in order to subsequently repeat the operations on their own. Defining attention is paid to the delicate pressure on the gums, which helps to avoid unwanted tissue injuries and aggravate the situation.
Laser treatment
An effective modern method of treatment of periodontal disease is the use of a laser. The method opens up the possibility for a first-class cleaning of damaged tissues. During treatment, the child does not have to resort to anesthesia, since therapy is completely painless.
The essence of laser therapy is to polish tissues prone to the development of destructive processes. Thanks to the solution, the concentration of pathogenic bacteria in the problem area is significantly reduced. Already following the results of several procedures, the child eliminates the expressed discomfort, which caused discomfort during the formation of the pathology. Full recovery is noted after passing several courses of therapy. The obvious advantage of the method, along with the absence of pain, is the possibility of taking measures when the child's tendency to develop allergic reactions.
When treating periodontal disease, the doctor treats the damaged tissue sites with a photosensitizing gel. Subsequent laser exposure activates the saturation of local structures with oxygen. The result is the death of a significant mass of pathogenic bacteria.
Probable complications
The most dangerous consequence of the development of periodontal disease in a child is progressive loosening of the teeth with subsequent loss. Ignoring the characteristic symptoms of the disease, the lack of timely diagnosis and quality treatment leads to thinning of the jaw bone. As a result, the likelihood of the formation of pathological necrosis increases. The course of the disease in an advanced stage forces you to resort to complex, expensive and lengthy therapy.
Often in the later stages, surgery is the only solution to eliminate the trouble. It is advisable to use operational techniques when the formation of critical tartar deposits is noted. If solid pathological structures cannot be removed by laser and mechanical cleaning, the gum is subjected to a surgical incision, followed by the removal of calculus with special instruments.
Healing pasta
In order to treat periodontal disease in children, dentists prescribe the use of special pastes made on the basis of safe natural ingredients. Among the most effective means of this category, it is worth noting products of the following brands:
- “Chamomile” - contains a whole mass of biologically active substances that inhibit the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms. The components of toothpaste are tinctures of pharmacy chamomile and St. John's wort. These ingredients produce an anti-inflammatory and disinfecting effect on the tissues of the oral cavity.
- "Forest Balsam" - the product consists of several dozen herbal ingredients. Regular use of the paste helps to stop the bleeding of the gums, the regeneration of local tissues, the destruction of pathogenic bacteria. Doctors advise using the product while performing a therapeutic massage.
Prevention
To avoid the appearance of periodontal disease in a baby, the formation of a habit of regular hygienic care of the oral cavity allows. From the age of two, the child must be periodically shown to the dentist. Such actions make it possible to identify the signs of the disease in advance and minimize the likelihood of developing a serious pathology.
An important role is played by a healthy diet. The child should be limited in the use of all kinds of sweets. Parents should daily offer their baby fresh fruits and vegetables, other dishes that act as a source of vitamins and minerals indispensable for the body.