
Feb
It can be very concerning for parents if they see their toddler’s gum bleeding while brushing or flossing. Bleeding gums is an early warning sign of poor dental hygiene and an unhealthy diet. At Jonathan J. Golab, DDS, PA, Dr. Jonathan Golab and can help you understand what causes your toddler’s gums to bleed and how to prevent this.
Bleeding gum in children may be caused by a variety of factors. These include:
The most common cause of gum bleeding is a buildup of plaque. Plaque hardens into calculus and harbors bacteria that feeds on the sugars in your child’s mouth and create acid that causes your child’s teeth to decay and lead to gum inflammation.
Dry mouth is another common cause of gum bleeding. If your child has an allergy or suffers from swollen tonsils or adenoids, it can make it difficult for them to breathe through their nose. When your child breathes through the mouth, their upper gums may dry out and bleed.
If your child has sustained a blow to the mouth or is in the habit of brushing their teeth vigorously with a hard-bristled brush, it can injure their gums, causing them to bleed.
Making sure your child has a soft-bristled brush to clean their teeth can reduce the bleeding. If your child does not have enough dexterity to brush or floss their teeth properly, you should help them out. Even if your child can properly brush their teeth, we highly recommend that you supervise your child’s oral hygiene regimen until they are at least seven years old.
Also make sure your child brushes their teeth after eating starchy or sugary food. Hence, the best time to brush their teeth is after breakfast and dinner. For children under two years of age, a grain-sized smear of toothpaste is enough. For children under six years, a pea-sized toothpaste is enough.
Taking care of your child’s teeth and gums from an early age can build in them oral care habits that last a lifetime. If you are concerned about the wellbeing of your child’s teeth and gums, call us at Jonathan J. Golab, DDS, PA at (469) 444-2119 today.
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