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Children can develop gum disease too.

Children and gum disease: Don't ignore the signs

Feb. 26, 2024
Parents often dismiss their children's bleeding gums because they don't know children can even develop gum disease. The Queen of Dental Hygiene, Barbara Tritz, says dental hygienists can play a vital role in awareness.

We shouldn't be looking just for cavities in our pediatric patients. Children can also develop gum disease. Parents are often focused on and asking if their children have cavities. They believe the solution to the bleeding they see in their child is better oral care.

While that certainly doesn't hurt, we need to educate parents that a "little bleeding" and tartar buildup may be signs of oral infection that can't be fixed simply with more brushing or a different toothpaste. It's a disease, but parents aren't always aware of this in children.

It's up to dental hygienists to screen patients of any age for signs of periodontitis, and to explain to parents how they can help better their children's oral health. Read my blog, Children Get Gum Disease Too.

More topics from my blog

The gum disease-dementia connection

The importance of the tongue in facial development


Barbara Tritz, MSB, BSDATE, BRDH, is a biological dental hygienist and orofacial myofunctional therapist whose blog, Queen of Dental Hygiene, provides patients the information they need to help them on their healing journey. “Our one-hour appointment time was just not long enough to share all the many important facts I wanted our patients to learn. Dental hygiene is about so much more than just teaching brushing and flossing," says Barbara. “We are healers, educators, and lifesavers, and we need to give our patients the tools and skills to empower them to true wellness and health.”

About the Author

Barbara Tritz, MSB, BSDATE, BRDH

Barbara Tritz, MSB, BSDATE, BRDH, is a practicing biological dental hygienist at Green City Dental in Edmonds, Washington. She is the owner of Washington Oral Wellness in Kirkland, Washington, where she practices orofacial myofunctional therapy. She completed her accreditation in biological dental hygiene through the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, and is laser certified through the Academy of Laser Dentistry. In 2019 Barbara received the HuFriedy-American Dental Hygienist Association Master Clinician Award. Barbara can be contacted at [email protected].