Gum Care for Children: Effectively Preventing Gum Disease

When it comes to gum care for children, it is important to start teaching kids good habits as early as possible. The sooner they learn them, the more likely they will continue the habits into adulthood. However, there is much more involved than just going to the dentist for routine checkups.

How to prevent gum disease

Here are a few tips for teaching children about gum care to effectively prevent gum disease.

Brush and floss after you eat

Brushing and flossing are not only good for the teeth, but they are also crucial for the gums. The plaque and tartar that build up on teeth can also get stuck in the gum pockets, and if left alone for too long, they will develop into bacteria that can cause soreness, inflammation, and gum disease.  

Brushing helps clean the visible surfaces of the gums and keeps them clean of food debris that can eventually cause bacteria growth. However, there are more surfaces of the gums than can typically be reached with a toothbrush. This is why making sure to floss between meals is also a good idea. 

Making it a routine will have kids preventing gum disease without even knowing it. Also, with the different types of flavored dental floss and single-use flossers available on the market, teaching gum care for children can be more rewarding than ever. 

Use an antibacterial rinse

Another way to help kids keep their gums clean is to get them to start using an antibacterial rinse. More than just mouthwash, this type of rinse is specifically formulated to kill bacteria throughout the entire mouth. 

A rinse is a much better choice than mouthwash because it kills more germs and bacteria and reaches places along the gum line, at the base of the teeth, and deep in the gum pockets that brushing and flossing can miss. 

Make going to the dentist fun

Gum care for children does not have to be all hygiene routines; it is important to instill the value of having healthy gums and why it is essential to go to the dentist. If parents can make going to the dentist a pleasant experience, it will remove much of the burden of trying to get their young children to keep their teeth and gums healthy. 

Parents can ask the dentist for tips and activities to do with their kids to help improve their gum health. They can make these activities part of the learning process so the children always associate fun with the process of keeping healthy.