Good oral hygiene habits are essential for kids because childhood sets the stage for their teenage years and beyond. Not maintaining their teeth and gums can eventually lead to gingivitis, a common childhood condition where the gums swell and bleed. If not managed early, it can advance into periodontal disease in adulthood. Here are four possible reasons why young people may develop this condition. 

Why Do Kids Get Gingivitis?

1. Changing Hormones

Teenagers have a heightened risk of gingivitis because their increasing hormones promote extra circulation to the gums. The gums are often more sensitive at this time, making them overreact to plaque and irritated areas. 

2. Lack of Home Oral Hygiene Care

Plaque buildup is a common cause of gum disease when young people aren’t taking care of their teeth. Make sure your kids perform twice-daily brushing that focuses on the front, back, and chewing portions of their teeth. Your family should also use dental floss to clean between the teeth and gums to remove bits of food that may promote plaque and bacteria growth.

3. Sugary or Acidic Diet

Soda, coffee, and candy all feature sugars that can promote plaque and bacteria growth. People who drink a lot of acidic or sweet juice and soda have a high risk of getting gingivitis. These substances promote bacteria that eat away at tooth enamel and injure the gums, leaving the mouth susceptible to gingivitis as well as tooth decay. 

4. Ignored Symptoms

Children often lose their first teeth around age 6 and may replace all their baby teeth by age 12. As teeth grow and erupt, they often cause gum irritation. Unfortunately, it’s easy to assume this is related to the normal aging process.

Gingivitis can present these same symptoms, so it’s especially important to promote oral hygiene habits like going to the dentist twice a year. These preventive appointments allow professionals to assess your child’s mouth and look for normal signs of growth or indications of gingivitis. Ignoring the symptoms of this disease can cause it to worsen and grow into periodontitis as they get older, which can permanently damage the gums and jaw.

If you’re looking for an oral hygiene team to keep your children’s smiles in beautiful, healthy shape, contact Kid Smiles in Guilford County, NC. The dental staff offers compassionate care through preventive and general dentistry. Call the High Point-area practice at (336) 885-5437 or visit the website for information on their cosmetic procedures and orthodontics.