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.”
