Periodontics

What is Periodontics?

Periodontics is the treatment of gum diseases, or periodontal disease. Many people with periodontal disease do not seek treatment and their disease worsens.

The most common type of periodontal disease in children is gingivitis. Gingiva is the term used to describe the flesh of the gums, and a sign of gingivitis is bleeding or swelling of the gums.

If gingivitis is not treated, it can become worse and cause your child or adolescent to lose teeth or lead to serious illness, such as heart disease.

Adolescents might have gingivitis or a type of periodontal disease called aggressive periodontitis. Even though your teen is healthy and may have very little plaque around the first molars or incisors, the bone supporting these teeth might begin to weaken or disappear.

Some teens have periodontitis that starts when they reach puberty and affects the gums around most or all of their teeth. Their gums swell and plaque forms on the teeth, loosening their permanent teeth.

Your Child’s Teeth and Gums

Your child has several types of teeth, which emerge at different ages along the inside of the jaws. The first set of teeth, or primary teeth, begin forming before your baby is born and emerge soon after. These 20 teeth start to fall out about the time your child turns 6 to make room for 32 permanent teeth.

Each tooth is rooted in the gums. The gums and bones support the teeth, and can become diseased. This is called periodontal disease. Some children are more at risk for gum disease because of inherited disorders or chronic illnesses such as juvenile diabetes.