Symptoms Of Periodontitis May Be Revealed During Dental Cleaning

It is essential that your child see the dentist on a regular basis for examinations and a childrens' dental cleaning. Doing so can reveal signs of gum diseases such as periodontitis, which is a severe form of gingivitis. Here are some signs of periodontal disease that may be revealed during your child's dental cleaning.

Gum Symptoms

Gum symptoms that may be indicative of periodontitis include sore, inflamed, or red gums, and receding gums, which refer to gums that recede or pull back from the teeth. In severe cases of receding gums, the roots of the teeth may be exposed. 

Bleeding gums are another symptom of periodontitis, however, gums that bleed may be related to other causes such as side effects from certain medications, dry mouth, and even anemia. It is normal for your child's gums to bleed during a dental cleaning and examination because pointed dental instruments are used to scrape calculus from the teeth and probe the gum tissue.

Although minor bleeding is normal during a cleaning, heavy gum bleeding or bleeding that is difficult to control may be related to periodontitis. It is important to note, that while your child's dentist may suspect periodontitis, other causes of bleeding gums must be ruled out before a treatment plan can be implemented.

Other Symptoms

In addition to the above gum symptoms, other symptoms of periodontal disease may be revealed during the childrens' dental cleaning. They may include loose teeth, the presence of drainage or pus around the teeth, and an abnormal bite, also called malocclusion.

The dentist or hygienist may also notice that your child has larger spaces between their teeth, which may mean that the periodontitis has started to destroy the underlying bones that support the teeth. In addition, an unpleasant odor may be noticed during the dental cleaning that may be caused by periodontal disease.

If pus is found inside the mouth during the dental cleaning, antibiotics may be prescribed to eliminate the infection and to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body such as the nasal cavity or throat.

If your child has any of the above symptoms of periodontitis, make an appointment with their dentist. Frequent examinations and professional dental cleanings can prevent periodontal disease as well as treat existing diseases. When periodontal disease is diagnosed and treated in its early stages, complications such as severe infection, bone destruction, loose teeth, and tooth loss are less likely to occur. 

For more information on childrens' dental cleaning, contact a professional near you.


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