Gingivitis is a fairly common gum disease, accompanied by severe redness of the mucous membrane, swelling and bleeding. In this case, the disease concerns exclusively the gums, the tooth enamel does not suffer at all. Despite the possible complications, gingivitis is considered to be an easily tolerated disease.
In the early stages, the disease responds very well to treatment and goes away in the shortest possible time... In the event that therapy was not started on time, the disease becomes chronic. Most often, gingivitis is diagnosed in children 3-7 years old and adolescents. It is important to note that the development of the disease in some cases can begin against the background of serious health problems.
Causes of occurrence in children
In most cases, gingivitis develops due to the uncontrolled multiplication of bacteria, which are found in large numbers in plaque. It is dental plaque that in 90% of cases becomes the impetus for the development of gum disease. In addition, local and general factors in the development of the disease can be distinguished.
Local factors in the development of gingivitis
- Violation of bite.
- A large number of carious lesions.
- Tartar deposition and general impairment of oral hygiene.
- Wearing dental appliances such as braces.
- Poorly installed and poorly sanded fillings on the teeth.
- The period of eruption of deciduous or permanent teeth.
- Improper cleaning of teeth, accompanied by damage to the gums and their bleeding.
Common factors in the development of gingivitis
By general factors, it is customary to understand situations that cause a decrease in general immunity. Most often, gum problems develop against the background of diseases such as:
- avitaminosis;
- flu;
- ARVI;
- disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
- diabetes;
- blood diseases.
Signs and symptoms
There are a number of signs that can indicate the development of gingivitis in children. It is important for parents to pay attention to the occurrence of the following symptoms:
- bad breath;
- complaints of soreness of the gums. As for children under one year old, they can completely refuse to eat;
- discharge of blood from the gums;
- erosive changes in gum tissue.
Experts identify the following types of gingivitis that can occur in children:
- acute or catarrhal;
- atrophic;
- hypertrophic;
- ulcerative.
Depending on the form of the disease, the main manifestations of gingivitis may differ slightly.
Acute or catarrhal gingivitis
The first signs of the development of an acute process are:
- swelling;
- redness of the gum tissue;
- bleeding;
- itching sensation in the gum area;
- the occurrence of an unpleasant odor;
- the development of sensitivity when eating too hot or cold food;
- temperature rise up to 38 degrees;
- general weakness and malaise.
In some cases, with acute or catarrhal gingivitis, children may complain of loss of taste. This type of gingivitis occurs against the background of insufficient oral hygiene, malnutrition, and even against the background of any psychological stress. Most often, the disease affects babies aged 3 to 7 years..
Photos of healthy gums Atrophic gingivitis
Atrophic gingivitis is accompanied by the following manifestations:
- inflamed gum tissue gradually decreases, revealing the root of the tooth;
- rather strong painful sensations develop while eating. Especially violent reactions to hot and cold food;
- the occurrence of bad breath;
- bleeding.
The most common causes of this form are improper orthodontic treatment, for example, an illiterate choice of braces, as well as congenital disorders of the gums and mucosa.
Hypertrophic form
The hypertrophic form of the disease is accompanied by the following list of symptoms:
- the papillae of the gums are swollen enough and begin to cover a fairly large part of the tooth;
- the color of the gums gradually changes, acquiring an unhealthy purple-cyanotic hue;
- purulent processes begin to develop;
- bad breath appears;
- there are abundant deposits containing pathogenic microflora in the composition;
- gingival pockets appear that open the lower part of the tooth.
Depending on the degree of tooth closure, the specialist can determine the severity of the disease. Usually, the hypertrophic form affects the anterior regions of the upper and lower jaws. In this case, the disease is quite difficult to notice at the very beginning, since it starts completely painless. If you do not start therapy on time, then the disease will turn into a chronic recurrent form., which is accompanied by complications at least twice a year.
Ulcerative form of gingivitis
The ulcerative form of gingivitis is the most difficult and dangerous. Its development is due to the incorrect and untimely treatment of the catarrhal form. Signs of ulcerative gum disease are:
- profuse bleeding that occurs with any inaccurate action, for example, while eating or brushing your teeth;
- the appearance of ulcers and abscesses on the mucous membrane;
- gradual death of inflamed tissues;
- severe pain, in connection with which the child cannot eat normally;
- an increase in temperature to 39-40 degrees;
- the development of severe headaches;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- a strong feeling of weakness and sleep disturbance;
- development of problems with the digestive system.
How and what to treat
Important! The treatment of gingivitis entirely depends on the form of the disease and is selected by the attending physician after a dental examination! In no case should self-medication be allowed, and all the methods chosen by the parents must be agreed with the dentist.
First of all, it should be noted that complete and effective treatment of the disease in children is impossible without removing dental plaque. It is plaque that serves as the main factor in the development of pathogenic microflora, which further leads to the destruction of gum tissue. Dealing with plaque can include:
- use of special pastes;
- rinsing with medical solutions;
- herbal rinses;
- the use of antibiotic gels;
- rinsing the gums with an antibiotic solution.
Important! Any anti-inflammatory therapy should only be started after tartar removal.
Removal of calculus in children with gingivitis
High-quality and complete removal of tartar is possible only in a dental office. At the same time, it is important to treat the choice of the attending physician with special care, since most of the success of therapy will depend on his professionalism.
Removal of calculus with ultrasound The most modern method in this case is the use of ultrasound. This is a completely painless and fairly quick procedure. A special ultrasonic tip removes plaque and calculus, leaving teeth clean. At the end of the session, the specialist polishes the enamel using special brushes.
Anti-inflammatory therapy for gingivitis
As for anti-inflammatory therapy, this includes the use of specialized pharmaceutical ointments and rinsing the mouth with antibiotics. In addition, dentists do not deny the effectiveness of traditional methods, but it is best to coordinate them with a specialist in advance.
Means for the treatment of gingivitis
The following can be used as therapeutic methods:
- rinsing the mouth with drugs such as miramistin and chlorhexidine;
- the use of anti-inflammatory ointments and gels;
- the appointment of antibiotics.
Gargling for gingivitis
Important! Gargles and any other medical procedures in children associated with the use of pharmaceuticals should be carried out exclusively under the supervision of adult family members.
- Chlorhexidine solution - the drug is prescribed as a course. It is necessary to rinse your mouth in the morning and evening. In this case, the duration of each rinse should be at least 30-40 seconds. Despite the fact that the solution has no age restrictions, nevertheless, sometimes because of the bitter taste, babies may refuse the procedure.
- Miramistin - has a slightly less powerful effect than chlorhexidine. In addition, the remedy should not be given to children under 3 years of age. Rinses are carried out in a course of 7-10 days, 3-4 rinses daily.
In addition to the listed solutions, you can prepare homemade decoctions of chamomile, sage or eucalyptus.
Treatment of gingivitis with ointments
A good effect in the treatment of gingivitis is distinguished by such means as:
- Cholisal is a special children's dental gel with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The drug has no contraindications for age. It is applied in a course of 10 days. You need to apply the ointment twice a day, in the morning and in the evening immediately after the main therapeutic procedures and antiseptic rinsing;
- Metrogyl denta is allowed for children from 6 years old. Apply in the same way in a course of 10 days. After applying the drug, it is not recommended to eat or drink for at least 2-3 hours.
Antibiotics for Gingivitis: Pros and Cons
The use of antibiotics in any situation is a last resort. Usually they are resorted to in cases where the disease has either gone far enough, or is accompanied by purulent processes.
Positive reasons for taking antibiotics
Antibiotics are necessary in the following cases:
- when the main anti-inflammatory therapy did not give any positive changes;
- when the child's immunity is so weakened that it is simply not able to independently resist the pathogenic microflora;
- in the event that wounds and ulcers in the oral cavity do not heal for a long time.
Unlike most other diseases, for gingivitis, antibiotics are given as a gargle... For example, you can use Lincomycin. To prepare the solution, take 5 crushed tablets per liter of water and mix them thoroughly until they are completely dissolved. This solution is used to rinse the mouth in the morning and evening. It is best used for teens, as babies can accidentally swallow liquid.
Important! Rinsing with antibiotics does not affect the beneficial intestinal microflora, which means that it does not cause as serious harm as when taken orally. Despite this, the use of such a technique must be fully coordinated with the dentist.
Treatment with folk methods
- Treatment with aloe juice. For this purpose, you can use both the juice and the whole leaves. They must be applied to sore gums for at least 20-30 minutes. The procedure is not suitable for small children, as the plant sap has a very unpleasant and pronounced bitter taste.
- Sage gargles. To prepare the mixture, take 2 tablespoons of sage and pour a mug of boiling water. The solution is infused for an hour, after which it is cooled to room temperature and rinsed with it 2-3 times a day.
- Juice made from fresh blueberry juice. To do this, 2 tablespoons of fresh berries are crushed and poured with a glass of boiling water. The mixture is infused overnight and then filtered and rinsed out 3-4 times a day.
- Wax paste for chewing. If you have free time, you can prepare homemade and healthy gum for your child. For this, 100 gr. beeswax is mixed with 3 drops of mint oil, 50 gr. fresh honey and heated in a water bath until the ingredients combine. After that, the gum is cooled and given to the child several times a day. At the same time, nothing terrible will happen, even if the baby, inadvertently, swallows the medicine.
Doctor Komarovsky about gingivitis
According to the well-known children's doctor Komarovsky, any diseases of the oral cavity, including gingivitis, should be observed in the dentist's office.
No need to start giving your child antibiotics right away! It should be understood that anti-inflammatory therapy started on time has a very good effect. In order to avoid recurrences of gingivitis, it is necessary to accustom the child to proper and regular care of his teeth from early childhood.
Gingivitis can cause fever Temperature with gingivitis: causes
An increase in body temperature in children with gingivitis indicates that the inflammatory process has gone too far and the body has turned on its own defenses. It is necessary to bring down the temperature in the following cases:
- when the mark rises to 38.5 degrees;
- if the baby is not feeling well and vomiting occurs;
- with a child's tendency to seizures.
You should not bring down the fever if the thermometer mark does not exceed 38.5, and the child's general well-being remains quite satisfactory.
Proper teeth brushing is an essential component of preventing gum disease Prevention of gingivitis
The only way to avoid the development of gingivitis is its timely prevention. The most effective methods include:
- proper oral hygiene - it is necessary to teach the child the correct technique for brushing teeth and gums. In addition, it is important to teach your child to rinse their mouth after each meal;
- selection of special hygiene products - it is important to choose the right toothpastes and rinses. You do not need to give your child whitening products, as this will only damage the enamel;
- organization of rational nutrition - your child's daily menu should contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Thus, it is possible to raise the body's natural immunity and reduce the risk of developing dental diseases several times.
Gingivitis is a very serious condition that requires specialized care and treatment. Since in some cases the disease can take on a chronic course, it is important to always monitor the oral health of your children and have regular dental checkups.
Today we will talk about gingivitis in children. This disease is familiar to many parents. It gives a lot of problems to the child himself and to those who are next to him at that moment. Let's try to understand the essence of the problem, its causes, methods of diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Is gingivitis so terrible or can it be successfully dealt with? We will try to tell you about this and many other things as detailed and understandable as possible.
What is Gingivitis?
So, this is an inflammation of the gums, or rather, their marginal part and the papillae located between the teeth. It is traditionally considered that this is only the first bell, the initial stage of the development of the inflammatory process. If not stopped in time, it can lead to more serious tissue damage. And not only soft, but also bone. In the end, the child can lose teeth, including permanent ones.
Of course, this is the most unfavorable prognosis, but in a neglected state, nothing can be ruled out.
Video - What is gingivitis and how is it treated
Causes of occurrence
Why is gingivitis often diagnosed in most children from birth to ten years of age? Let's try to figure out what leads to this problem. As you might guess, the main reason for the appearance of gingivitis in children is poor oral hygiene. Parents immediately have a question - why? After all, many of them regularly brush their child's teeth. This is where the legs of the problem grow. What matters is not what you do, but how. You can clean them five times a day by doing it wrong.
What are the main mistakes that should be named first?
- To protect the weak enamel of children's teeth, parents buy low-abrasive toothpaste and soft-bristled brushes. They remove only a thin surface layer of plaque.
- Not used . Consequently, plaque remains between the teeth. This leads to inflammation of the interdental papillae.
- Only the surfaces of the teeth themselves are cleaned. Bacteria collect not only on the teeth, but also on the gums themselves, the inner surface of the cheeks and the tongue. They also need to be processed, otherwise the harmful flora will multiply very quickly.
Causes of gingivitis in children
Also, gingivitis can be traumatic in origin. Small children pull toys, various small things into their mouths. Solid foods like crackers can also cause sores. The bacteria will then complete the process.
The third common cause is inflammation. This process affects all children without exception. Until the tooth makes a place for itself through the soft tissues and does not stand in the dentition as planned by nature, such problems will have to be endured.
You can often find an allergic type of this disease. Millions of children around the world have different types of food allergies. One of their symptoms is gum disease.
In children under 2 years of age, these reasons are the main ones. At an older age (5-10 years), some others should be considered.
- Nutrition. It is possible that the diet lacks any nutrients or vitamins. The gums react to changes in the body very quickly, indicating the need for your intervention.
- Often, external inflammation can only be a consequence of various infections that affect the upper respiratory tract.
- If caries has developed on the teeth, gingivitis often accompanies this disease. If cavities have sharp edges, traumatic gingivitis is also possible.
- When nasal breathing is disturbed, it is also common to observe the development of oral infections that cause gingivitis in children.
But even this is not a complete list of reasons. Very often, the actions of the doctors themselves lead to the appearance of an inflammatory process on the gums. Moreover, these are not always mistakes. In particular, we are talking about the installation of devices for orthodontic correction. They often injure the gums. And if you add to this the complexity of brushing your teeth, you get a complete picture.
A poorly processed filling can also injure the gum. Often there is a picture when the overhanging edge is not sanded and leads to damage to the soft tissues. Do not forget about malocclusion. With crowded teeth in a child, such problems are not uncommon. You will have to contact a specialist orthodontist.
We may have forgotten a few more reasons, but this is a general article, not scientific material for dental professionals.
How to classify the form of gingivitis?
So, as it is not difficult to guess, the next point of our article is the classification of gingivitis in children. In modern medicine, there are five forms of this disease.
- ... The most common form. Usually occurs when deciduous or permanent teeth erupt. It can also have infectious causes. Delivers considerable discomfort to the patient. It is accompanied by itching and pain, bleeding. When you brush your teeth, the symptoms worsen. A characteristic bad breath appears. If the child at this moment has to eat hot food or even drink uncooled tea, the discomfort in the gums increases.
- the form of gingivitis in children is much less common. It is fibrous and edematous. If there is an edematous type of hypertrophic gingivitis, the symptoms are similar to the catarrhal form. With fibrosis, the interdental papillae increase in size. That is, the soft tissue itself grows. It becomes unnaturally loose, false gum pockets appear, resembling those in periodontal disease. The gums gradually close the dental crowns. Usually this form is of hormonal origin.
- in children. This form can be attributed to disorders that are directly related to the state of the child's immune system. It is usually the body's response to infectious diseases like the flu. It is also often accompanied by stomatitis caused by the herpes virus. Often the cause is banal hypothermia. In addition to redness, pain, itching and swelling, foci of erosion appear, on which plaque is observed. With ulcerative gingivitis, children experience sleep and appetite disorders. It often causes general weakness.
- Atrophic gingivitis in children. The cause of development can be both congenital disorders, such as anomalies of fastening of bridles or cords, and mistakes made by orthodontists. In this case, the inflammatory process itself may manifest itself weakly, but the lesions of the gums are noticeable. The neck of the tooth is gradually exposed, the reaction to thermal and chemical stimuli intensifies.
Symptoms. Main manifestations
It is naive to believe that the symptoms of gingivitis in children are limited exclusively to itching, redness of the gums and reactions to hot, acute, etc. This can be bleeding when brushing teeth, eating solid food. Also, children often have an increased body temperature. Sometimes it rises to 38 and even higher. You can almost always see a lot of plaque on your teeth. This is due to the fact that the soreness of the gums no longer allows the child to fully perform hygiene procedures. Also, carious lesions of the teeth are often found, the presence.
Over time, edema appears, the size of which depends on the form of the disease. In particular, with hypertrophic gingivitis, the gum can partially or completely cover the crown of the tooth.
If the problem occurs in a small child under one year old or a little older, he begins to be capricious, eats poorly, and has difficulty falling asleep. Painful and unpleasant sensations do not allow him to rest and calm down. Gradually, the inflammatory process weakens the body. He becomes more susceptible to other infections. Indeed, at this moment, all the forces of the immune system are thrown into protection against those bacteria that caused inflammation. There may be nausea, headache caused by general intoxication. These manifestations are especially characteristic for the catarrhal form of the disease.
Gingivitis - inflammation of the gums in a child
Diagnostics
Diagnosing gingivitis is tricky. For the simple reason that a disease can only be a manifestation of some other problem. After all, gum disease is not a cause, but a consequence. If you do not diagnose the underlying disease in time, you can get many problems.
3 degrees of gingival hyperplasia:
| A photo | Power | Description |
|---|---|---|
 | I degree | The gingival margin is slightly thickened and raised in the form of a roller, protruding in the eve of the oral cavity, closes the crowns by 1/3 |
 | II degree | The gums cover the crowns of the teeth up to 1/2 |
 | III degree | The gum reaches the incisal or occlusal surface of the teeth |
It is important to determine in what form the disease proceeds, to identify if there are concomitant infections, dental diseases. Gingivitis often occurs against the background of the development of periodontitis. A fistula may appear on the gum, through which pus flows out. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the patient's complaints, classic symptoms of the disease - edema, bleeding gums, the presence of soft and hard plaque on the teeth, redness, etc.
Gingivitis treatment
It is necessary to approach treatment issues in a comprehensive manner, taking into account the causes of the onset of the disease and the consequences of its course. It is necessary not only to eliminate the infection, but also to provide the child with high-quality nutrition, normal oral hygiene, etc. If the disease is hormonal in nature, we can also talk about supportive therapy, strengthening the immune system.
The first steps should be associated with the mandatory sanitation of the oral cavity. If there are bad teeth, they need to be cured. Caries, periodontitis and other dental diseases often accompany gingivitis in children.
It is also imperative to remove tartar and plaque. If these are solid perennial deposits, getting rid of them without the help of a specialist will be problematic. They can be removed both mechanically and with an ultrasonic scaler. The latter is more effective. A separate detailed article.
Video - Treatment and prevention of gingivitis
Home treatment
Parents do not always have the opportunity to take their baby to the doctor. But if the diagnosis is obvious, it is necessary to provide all possible help to relieve him of pain and discomfort. What can you do at home? Here the question is a little deeper - how to treat gingivitis in children, so as not to harm their fragile health? First, most doctors believe that home treatment is purely symptomatic. It is necessary to diagnose the cause of gingivitis. Then it will be possible to select a set of measures to eliminate it.
Worst of all is when parents start to panic at the words “infection” and “inflammation”. All sorts of anti-inflammatory pills and syrups, or even worse, antibiotics, are instantly bought up. Such self-medication leads to more serious problems than gingivitis itself. Also, do not give your child an antipyretic if the temperature has not risen above 38-38.5. And in general, the more often he is given such funds, the worse the body copes with infections in the future.
Activities for the treatment of gingivitis:
| A photo | Procedure | Description |
|---|---|---|
 | Anti-inflammatory therapy | As an anti-inflammatory therapy, the doctor will select drugs that can act as gently as possible on the vulnerable body of a pregnant woman and without harming the fetus |
 | Removal of calculus and plaque | Dental plaque is removed mechanically using. The idea that ultrasound harms the fetus is groundless, because throughout the pregnancy, a woman is routinely undergoing an ultrasound examination |
 | Prevention of re-development of inflammation | Refuse excessive amounts of sweets. There are more vegetables and fruits. Regularly carry out the necessary: \u200b\u200bbrush your teeth, use floss and antiseptic rinses |
What you definitely do not harm:
- gargling with extracts of chamomile, sage, calendula, oak bark, etc .;
- the use of various preparations based on propolis;
- lotions from the gruel of aloe leaves and rinsing with the juice of the plant.
But, as mentioned above, you are relieving the symptoms, not eliminating the cause.
Video - Inflammation of the gums, treatment at home
Gingivitis in children - professional treatment
- children's miramistin in the form of a solution. They need to rinse the child's mouth every 3 to 4 hours;
- , solution 0.05%. Rinse after brushing your teeth, i.e. 2 or 3 times a day.
In both cases, it is important to ensure that the child keeps the solution in the mouth for at least 30 seconds. Otherwise, the active ingredients will not have time to show the necessary properties and the agent will be ineffective. There are also many gels and ointments available to relieve itching, inflammation, and swelling. The most popular among them:
- based on metronidazole and chlorhexidine;
- Cholisal based on choline salicylate and citalconium chloride.
The gels are applied to the gingival margin and papillae. It is important that the child does not lick and swallow the drug all this time. After applying the gel, you cannot eat for about one and a half to two hours. If the inflammation has arisen against the background of a concomitant disease (for example, herpetic stomatitis), it is important to treat the underlying disease. Otherwise, all other measures will not be of much benefit.
Another important point. There are many different products available in pharmacies that can help relieve gingivitis. But not all of these funds can be given to young children. For some, the limitation goes from two years, for others - even from 14. Manufacturers began to be cunning, avoiding such clarifications. But on the Internet, you can easily find more complete versions of instructions. They indicate at what age the drug is allowed, what contraindications and side effects it has.
When it comes to powerful antiseptic additives, some of them can cause allergic reactions in children.
Gingivitis in children - preventive measures
Good prevention is always better than even the most professional treatment. It includes some simple and even trivial rules.
As practice shows, if these preventive measures are followed, an infectious variant of gingivitis is practically excluded. Manifestations occur only during teething and in connection with hormonal changes in the body.
This concludes our story. We hope that the presented material was useful and interesting for you. Don't forget that you have the opportunity to comment on it!
Video - Gingivitis in children and pregnant women
Gingivitis, or inflammation of the mucous membrane around the teeth in children, is quite common. Most often, gingivitis can be found in a child at the age of 1-3, as well as in adolescence - in both cases, the active growth of the body, hormonal changes and the formation of the immune system can become the trigger of the disease
Gingivitis in children develops quite quickly. If inflammation develops in a child's mouth, then the number of bacteria increases significantly compared to the norm. After 72 hours, the process of formation of stones from soft plaque begins, the first signs of gum erosion appear. If the situation is started, it can lead to the loss of teeth in children - both milk and permanent.
Symptoms of gingivitis in children
How does gingivitis manifest itself in children? The symptoms are as follows:
- bad breath
- discomfort, soreness in the mouth
- bleeding gums
At the same time, the temperature with gingivitis in children does not always rise. Therefore, it is quite easy to miss the onset of the disease. The child may endure discomfort, not attaching importance to it, or endure, fearing a visit to the dentist (especially if he has already had a bad experience with dental treatment). That is why it is necessary from time to time to unobtrusively check the condition of the oral cavity of a son or daughter. For kids, this can be done while playing, but a teenager will have to find a psychological approach. It may be easier (and more correct!) To "introduce" your offspring to a professional dentist, whom he can trust, and periodically take him to preventive examinations.
Types of gingivitis in children
Only a competent doctor can determine what form of gingivitis a child suffers from, and, accordingly, prescribe an effective treatment that quickly relieves discomfort. The disease can manifest itself in different ways:
- Catarrhal gingivitis. Most often, children are sick at the age of 3-7 years. It is accompanied by swelling of the tissues around the tooth, unpleasant taste in the mouth, pain with pressure on the gums, the appearance of pink saliva, general malaise and tearfulness. This type of disease easily turns into a chronic form, when gingivitis occurs approximately twice a year, causes temporary inconvenience to the child and seems to go away on its own. In fact, each time the inflammatory process becomes more and more intense, hard dental deposits are formed, which can eventually "develop" into periodontitis - a disease in which the connections of the tooth with the surrounding tissues are destroyed, which leads to its loss.
- Hypertrophic gingivitis. Painful sensations in a child do not appear immediately. The area of \u200b\u200bthe front teeth is most often affected - the gums swell, changing their color (up to a purple-blue). Over time, the tacni grows, covering a significant part of the tooth area, gingival pockets appear, pus begins to stand out, and severe pain appears.
- Atrophic ginivitis. This form of gingivitis is characterized by the "sinking" of the gums: the neck (and sometimes even the root) of the tooth is exposed, the child feels discomfort from taking cold and hot food. In this case, the gums become pale and bleed slightly. This is not only unpleasant and ugly, but also quite dangerous, and also difficult to treat: the gum shape will most likely have to be restored using mini plastic surgery.
- Ulcerative gingivitis. This is one of the options for the development of catarrhal gingivitis: the inflammatory process does not become chronic, but intensifies. In the child's mouth, bleeding ulcers appear, covered with a gray film - this is dead gum tissue. The child cannot eat and sleep normally, experiences severe pain, his body temperature rises to 39 ° C ... This development of the disease can be avoided by contacting a doctor at the first signs of gingivitis in the child.
Causes of gingivitis in children
Of course, parents want to believe that they will not have to treat gingivitis in children, knowing the reasons for its occurrence. It is really important to know them - they can be:
- Systemic diseases of the body (failure of the endocrine, cardiovascular, digestive, hormonal systems, the effect of infection)
- Denture pathologies, bite defects and errors in their correction
- Incorrect installation of seals or their deformation
- Launched caries, careless attitude of parents to the health of the child's teeth
- Weakened immunity, lack of vitamin C, poor appetite
But the main and main reason for the development of gingivitis in both children and adults is still poor oral hygiene. Remember this the next time you allow your kid “so be it, don't brush your teeth just once”!
Expert opinion
There are many reasons for the development of gingivitis in a child, and not all of them are directly related to the state of the oral cavity. Nevertheless, treatment should be started precisely with a visit to the dentist: he will determine the form of the disease and prescribe the correct treatment, which will effectively relieve symptoms - that is, quickly improve the child's well-being. After all, sometimes gum disease causes real torment to the baby, and he cannot even explain what worries him!
A professional dentist will immediately understand what is the matter, having seen the clinical picture of the disease, and will certainly find an approach to the most capricious young patient. After that, parents (who also immediately feel better after their child stops experiencing pain) should fully examine the child, starting with a clinical blood test.
Perhaps inflammation is associated with teething, the formation of roots and the formation of a bite - this is the best option, it can be conditionally attributed to the norm. Otherwise, you will need to consult specialists from other medical specialties - you will need to look for and treat the cause that caused gingivitis.
Gingivitis is a disease in children that is triggered by inflammatory processes that damage the gums, but do not disrupt the gingival junction. It appears as a result of the unfavorable influence of general and local factors on the baby's oral cavity. It is accompanied by soreness and bleeding of the gums, bad odor and swelling of the mucous membrane, hyperemia and looseness.
To diagnose the disease, it is enough to examine the dentist; he assesses the general condition of the child's oral mucosa and gums. Treatment consists of anti-inflammatory therapy, professional cleaning of the oral cavity and getting rid of etiological factors.
General information
In dentistry, gingivitis is diagnosed in children quite often, in about 15% of babies. Gingivitis is a periodontal pathology. The main symptom is the process of inflammation in the marginal part of the gums, close to the neck of the tooth and the interdental gingival papillae. The disease has several variants of development, however, according to epidemiological data, children usually suffer from a catarrhal form, which develops as a result of a significant accumulation of bacterial plaque on the teeth.
Pathology is classified as acute and chronic, as well as ulcerative, atrophic, catarrhal and hypertrophic forms. Also, the disease can be local or generalized. It depends on the distribution site.
- generalized - a large area on the gum is affected;
- local - the process of inflammation affects one interdental papilla.
Gingivitis in children: symptoms of the disease
The main signs of the disease include: the presence of hypertrophy, swelling, bleeding, ulceration of the gums... But any clinical form of gingivitis has its own pathological changes and signs of course, which depend directly on the causes of the appearance.
The hypertrophic form in children suggests a chronic process of inflammation, this is expressed by proliferative phenomena. Taking into account the nature of tissue proliferation, the disease is divided into granulating (or fibrous) and inflammatory (or edematous) gingivitis. When examined by a dentist, children reveal:
The baby may complain of pain and itching, possibly bleeding. Symptoms start to get worse while chewing food. This form of the disease is usually noted during puberty. At this age, a change in sex hormones has a significant effect on the gum epithelium.
The catarrhal form usually falls during the period when teeth are erupting in children or their replacement with permanent ones begins. Also, this disease can develop due to the presence of infectious diseases, as well as exacerbation of an existing dental pathology. The main symptoms are as follows:
The present pain sensation can be aggravated by exposure to chemical or temperature stimuli. Sometimes the baby may complain of discomfort.
The doctor diagnoses this form of the disease according to the following signs: thickening and looseness of the mucous membranes of the mouth, swelling of the gums, bleeding that occurs at the slightest contact with the gums, the presence of foci of desquamation and erosion, hyperemia, which has a cyanotic hue.
Ulcerative gingivitis
The ulcerative form in children is usually the next stage of the catarrhal form of the disease. It begins to develop due to a decrease in the function of the immune system, after illnesses such as influenza, herpetic stomatitis, etc. One of the reasons for the development may be the usual hypothermia of the body.
The first symptoms of pathology do not differ from the symptoms of catarrhal gingivitis: hyperemia and bleeding, itching and pain, swelling of the gums. At more advanced stages, ulceration begins to form. All this is accompanied by an increased viscosity of saliva and putrid odor from the mouth. The baby may complain of sleep and appetite disturbances, general well-being. The child becomes capricious, symptoms of severe intoxication appear.
The main reasons for the development of an atrophic form are errors during orthodontic treatment, powerful bands of the vestibule of the oral cavity, as well as abnormal attachment of the frenum.
Symptoms of this pathology include a minor inflammatory process and abnormal changes in the gingival margin, when the neck of the teeth is exposed.
Major and minor causes of the disease
The main reason for the formation of an inflammatory process in a baby under 1 year old is a soft plaque that accumulates on the inside of the cheeks, gums and tongue. This plaque appears due to the vital activity of bacteria. For children, lack of hygiene threatens the appearance of gingivitis, periodontitis and stomatitis; at an older age, plaque is the main cause of caries.
The physiological factors of the appearance of gingivitis include teething. At this time, the gums become inflamed, and the child himself becomes moody and lethargic. Another cause of the disease is allergies, which are accompanied by inflammation of the gingival mucosa and oral cavity.
In older children, the development of gingivitis can be provoked by the following factors:
- frequent infectious diseases in the upper respiratory tract;
- trauma to the gingival mucosa (a toothbrush with a stiff bristle was chosen, very intense movements during the hygiene procedure, the abuse of solid food that injures the mucous membrane, etc.);
- unhealthy diet with lack of fresh vegetables and fruits in the daily menu;
- improper breathing in a child (breathing is done through the mouth, this can be provoked by polyps in the nose);
- the presence of caries on the teeth;
- thermal burns of the oral cavity due to the ingestion of hot food.
The very first complaints of a baby about bleeding, pain or other symptoms must be a reason to visit the dentist. Ignoring the disease can lead to tooth loss.
In addition, against the background of this pathology, another dangerous process of inflammation often develops - periodontitis, which entails damage and destruction of the dental ligamentous apparatus.
Most parents are concerned about the question, is it possible to get gingivitis? But there is no evidence of the infectiousness of the disease through dishes, body contact, saliva.
Gingivitis treatment
Qualitative treatment of this disease can only be carried out using an integrated approach, while taking into account the individuality of the pathology. Any experienced dentist begins treatment by getting rid of etiological factors. These include:
- replacement of a poor-quality or poorly chosen orthodontic construction;
- caries treatment;
- plastic cords of the mucous membrane may be necessary;
- during pathologies of the frenum of the lips or tongue, plastic is performed;
- treatment of general somatic diseases is carried out;
- sanitation of infectious foci that are located in the nasopharynx.
The child probably has other pathologies or diseases that require correction and elimination. In order to comply with all the rules, an appropriate specialist is taken for one specific stage of treatment. Accordingly, for the treatment of gingivitis, you need to visit the following doctors: dentist-surgeon, pediatric orthodontist, pediatric allergist-immunologist, gastroenterologist and pediatric endocrinologist. You will also need the help of a pediatric otolaryngologist and pediatrician.
Whichever method of treatment the doctor chooses, the first event is professional cleaning of the oral cavity in children. This is required to remove hard deposits on the teeth and remove soft plaque from the enamel surface.
The next stage, which goes after cleaning the teeth, is anti-inflammatory measures, which consist of rinsing the mouth with antiseptics. As a rule, "Chlorhexidine" and "Miramistin" are used. You can also rinse with herbal decoctions. They have proven themselves excellently: mint, chamomile, sage and eucalyptus (oak bark is not recommended). The rinsing process is carried out twice a day. Best of all after completing hygiene procedures.
Young children who cannot yet rinse their mouth on their own are recommended to use dental applications, which contain a special gel containing cetalkonium and choline salicylate. The mucous membrane of the oral cavity is additionally treated with antiseptics.
Also in dental practice during gingivitis, ultraviolet irradiation, laser therapy and intraoral electrophoresis are used. During a severe course of the disease, which does not lend itself to conservative treatment, dentists in some cases have to resort to surgical interventions. The doctor performs diathermocoagulation or cryodestruction of the gingival papillae.
Vitamin therapy also plays an important role in the treatment of gingivitis. In this case, we mean a diet with the required amount of fruits and vegetables, as well as a limited intake of carbohydrates.
Treatment with folk methods
Most parents are interested in the question of treating the disease with folk methods. Most often these are mothers who want to protect their children from the effects of drugs on the body.
In children, gingivitis in any form of manifestation cannot be cured by folk methods! This must be remembered by all mothers so as not to waste time and not allow the disease to go into the chronic stage, this will lead to more serious complications. As mentioned above, the main reason for the appearance of gingivitis is enamel plaque on the teeth. And not a single grandmother's way can help to cope with such a problem. Folk lotions, ointments, infusions and decoctions can only relieve concomitant symptoms (bleeding, pain, etc.). The main reason will remain, and the disease will continue to develop.
Preventive actions
Having studied the causes of gingivitis, dentists have developed a list of basic rules, the implementation of which can help prevent the accumulation of plaque, and, accordingly, the appearance of gingivitis:
- Proper nutrition. Avoid snacks and limit carbohydrate intake (candy, cookies, sugary drinks, etc.). They can be given to a child after a meal, followed by oral hygiene, but not during the day.
- Correctly selected pastes and hygiene items. It is necessary to immediately forget about brushes with stiff bristles. But you can buy almost any paste, but only in cases where the baby does not have dental problems. If a child already has gingivitis, and he also refuses to periodically brush his teeth, then you can buy pastes that contain aminofluoride. These products help in part to compensate for poor hygiene.
- Correctly performed oral hygiene procedure. In this case, the correctness of the teeth brushing technique is implied. It is necessary to ensure that the baby observes the duration of the procedure, uses the brush with the correct movements and does not rub it too actively on the gums.
In children, the prognosis of gingivitis is favorable, but only on condition that the parents contact a specialist for help in a timely manner. Otherwise, the disease begins to become chronic. The baby may start intoxication of the body, the temperature rises, a stench will be felt from the mouth all the time, and after a while you can lose almost all of the teeth.
Not only adults, but also children are susceptible to periodontal inflammation. The most common condition is gingivitis. It affects the mucous membrane of the gums and is characterized by pronounced symptoms.
If untreated, the pathology leads to complications that affect the adjacent bone tissue and internal organs.
Varieties
There are several types of this pathology, differing in symptoms and intensity of their manifestation:
- Catarrhal... It runs with minimal symptoms: redness and bleeding of the gums.
- Ulcerative... It is characterized by severe symptoms: swelling of the gums increases, they acquire cyanosis. With a slight touch, there is a discharge from the papillae of blood and gingival fluid.
- Ulcerative necrotic... It passes with a deterioration in general well-being and the formation of bleeding ulcers on the gums in the neck of the teeth. The crown bases are exposed.
- Atrophic. It is characterized by a decrease in the volume of the gum tissue in the area of \u200b\u200bthe neck of the teeth, which leads to its exposure.
Disease stages
Depending on the symptoms manifested, several stages of the course of gingivitis are distinguished:
- first (initial)... The inflammation covers only the tops of the interdental papillae, which turn red and become painful;
- second... From the interdental papillae, the disease spreads to the edge of the gums
- third... Pathology extends to the soft tissues of the alveolar ridge.
An acute disease without proper treatment becomes a chronic form.
Symptoms
The onset and development of gingivitis is signaled by the following symptoms:
- sore gums on palpation;
- bleeding;
- raising salivation;
- swelling;
- soft tissues in the area of \u200b\u200bthe teeth roots lose their densityby becoming loose;
- discoloration of the gums: redness or cyanosis;
- uncomfortable sensations when chewing;
- deterioration in general condition: lethargy, fever, pallor of the skin;
- swollen lymph nodes.
Therapy
Gingivitis is a rapidly developing disease. Lack of timely treatment often leads to emergence of complications... This is especially important in childhood.
In order to eliminate the disease at the initial stage of its development, local therapy with the use of sparing techniques.
To cure an advanced stage, it is necessary to apply general therapy using antibiotics... In some situations, only surgicalintervention.
If symptoms are found, you should contact your dentist as early as possible. Depending on the cause of the disease, you may need the help of other specialists: pediatrician, endocrinologist, immunologist, otolaryngologist.
In the clinic
Treatment in a clinic, regardless of the degree of development of the pathology and its type, must necessarily include:
- Professional cleaningwith complete removal of tartar and soft bacterial plaque. This procedure is carried out using ultrasound, which does not injure the soft tissues of the oral cavity.
It allows you to completely remove hard deposits not only on the visible part of the tooth, but also from under the gums, deeply cleaning the gum pockets. Cleansing manipulations are completely painless.
After exposure to ultrasound, the crowns are polished with a special brush and dental paste, and the gums are covered with a soothing agent.
- Anti-inflammatory therapy... It is used to speed up the healing process and relieve the symptoms of gingivitis. Depending on the type and form of the disease, local or general drugs are used.
- Hardware physiotherapy... For this, a course of intraoral electrophoresis, laser therapy, UFO is prescribed. The main effect of these techniques is to stimulate metabolic processes that affect the restoration of periodontal tissues.
In the treatment of complex forms of the disease (ulcerative, necrotic, hyperplastic and atrophic gingivitis), in addition to the listed methods, others are also used.
As a rule, such techniques include direct impact on the gum tissue. These methods include:
- Gingivectomy (gum excision)... This method is used only in special cases when other methods of treatment have failed. Surgery is performed only under general anesthesia.
During the procedure, the doctor excises only pathologically overgrown tissue. After that, to avoid relapse and bleeding, cauterization or freezing of the operated area is performed.
- Freezing is used not only as an additional, but also as an independent method of stopping pathology.
The essence of the procedure is as follows: a solution of calcium chloride or dextrose, which has a freezing effect, is injected into the inflamed periodontium by injection.
After insertion, the interdental papillae completely harden, which temporarily stops their pathological growth.
- Chemical moxibustion... It means applying a special mixture to painful areas, which includes sulfuric acid and ether. Due to the effect of these components, the upper layer of the periodontium burns and the cells die, which helps to stop the disease.
- Electric shock... In essence, this procedure resembles the previous one. Here they also provoke a burn of the mucous membrane, only for this they use a current of no more than 5 amperes. Manipulations are painful, therefore they are carried out under local anesthesia in children over 5 years old.
- Necrolysis... Allows you to remove abnormal cells by resorption. To do this, a special preparation is applied to the mucous membrane, which includes sodium chloride and trypsin (an active enzyme). Penetrating into the cells of the gum tissue, the drug promotes their gradual destruction.
Medication
Treatment of gingivitis is not complete without drugs, which, depending on the severity of the pathology, can be used topically or can be a general therapy.
In any case, only forms with a dosage calculated for children are used.
For the treatment of gingivitis in childhood, the following topical agents can be used:
- Calgel... Designed for the treatment of catarrhal and ulcerative gingivitis. It is presented in the form of a gel that is easy to apply and adheres well to periodontal tissue. The gel has a pronounced aseptic and analgesic effect.
The composition includes components that allow the use of the drug for treatment even yearlingschildren. For a quick recovery, it is necessary to apply about 7 mm of gel to the painful area no more than 6 times a day.
The approximate cost of the drug is 330 rubles.
- Propsol... It is a spray for the treatment of mucous membranes, made on the basis of propolis. The remedy has a pronounced aseptic and anti-inflammatory effect, effective against catarrhal gingivitis.
In addition, the spray has analgesic properties. Recommended for use by adults and children from 5 years... Treatment regimen: 2 times a day, 3 injections. The spray can be used until complete recovery.
The cost of the funds is 180 rubles.
- EludrilIs a chlorhexidine-based mouthwash solution. Shows high efficiency in all forms of gingivitis.
The use of the solution helps relieve inflammation and pain. The drug can be included in the therapy of children from 3 years... For the procedure, dilute 2 teaspoons in 150 ml of water and rinse your mouth for 30 minutes.
The price of the drug is 240 rubles.
- Holisal... It is a dental gel used to treat catarrhal, necrotizing and ulcerative gingivitis. In addition to pronounced anti-inflammatory properties, it is highly active against bacteria.
The gel is indicated for the treatment of children starting from infancy... The therapeutic effect occurs when the gel is applied twice a day.
The average market cost of the gel is 250 rubles.
- Chlorhexidine (0.05%). Effective for catarrhal gingivitis. The product is available in the form of a solution and is intended for rinsing about 2 times a day. Solution has no age limit.
With daily use, there is a decrease in the intensity of the disease symptoms.
Chlorhexidine has a low cost - about 14 rubles.
- Miramistin - spray for mucous membrane irrigation. Designed to relieve the symptoms of catarrhal gingivitis. May be included in the treatment of children from 3 years.
The spray relieves inflammation well and, in addition, numbes the periodontal tissue. It is applied 3 times a day for no more than 10 days.
The cost of the drug is about 240 rubles.
- Metrogyl DentaIs an antimicrobial drug made in the form of a gel, effective in the treatment of acute and chronic gingivitis.
It is used in the therapy of children from 6 years... Promotes relief of symptoms and rapid tissue regeneration. The gel is applied to the mucous membrane 3 times a day.
Its average market value is 250 rubles.
In the absence of the effectiveness of local therapy, treatment with antibiotics is prescribed. The choice of antibiotic should only be made by the dentist.
The following antibiotics are most commonly used to treat gingivitis:
- Amoxicillin... Available in the form of tablets or suspension. The drug belongs to the penicillin series and is distinguished by its speed of action against pathogenic bacteria. Amoxicillin can be purchased for 50 - 80 rubles.
- Metronidazole... This is a combined action drug that has an antibacterial and antiprotozoal effect. Can be used in combination with antibiotics. The price of the drug starts from 70 rubles.
- Erythromycin- available only in pill form. This antibiotic belongs to the macrolide group and has a bacteriostatic effect. The cost of the drug is 90 rubles.
The treatment regimen and dosage is prescribed by the doctor individually in accordance with the age, body weight of the patient and the severity of the pathology.
Folk remedies
Folk remedies, which also have anti-inflammatory and aseptic effects, can help with drug therapy:
- rinsing the mouth with a decoction chamomile, sage and oak bark... For cooking, you need 3 tablespoons of each plant, pour 250 ml of boiling water. After insisting for 60 minutes, rinse at least 6 times a day;
- st. John's wort oil... To prepare it, you need to pour 150 ml of sunflower oil over the herb and leave for 12 hours to infuse. Smear the inflamed areas of the mucous membrane with the resulting oil about 3 times a day;
- has a good effect mummy... It is heated in a water bath and then mixed with kefir. The resulting mixture is rinsed in the mouth for 3 minutes.
Effects
Gingivitis is a pathology that requires mandatory treatment. And in childhood, this issue is especially acute, since during this period the jaw apparatus and internal organs are actively developing.
A disease that has not been stopped in a timely manner can lead to the formation malocclusion and impaired functioning of body systems, which quickly takes on a chronic form.
In addition, if untreated, complications such as:
- periodontitisthat threatens to lose teeth;
- accession purulent infections;
- caries development;
- periodontal disease;
- heart pathology;
- bone infection of the jaw.
Gingivitis refers to diseases that respond well to treatment at an early stage.
For timely treatment, you just need to contact the dentist on time. This will save the child from more complex problems that undermine his health.
In this video, Dr. Komarovsky talks about gingivitis and stomatitis:
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