Gingivitis in Children

Many parents make the mistake of not helping their small children take care of their teeth. Just because baby teeth are temporary, does not mean they aren’t important. It’s much easier for baby teeth to suffer from complications, including gingivitis. This is the first stage of periodontal (gum) disease. You’ll notice that your child’s teeth are swollen and red, producing blood when they rinse after brushing. It’s important that you schedule an appointment for your child with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda can help treat your child’s gingivitis. Learn more by contacting our office in Oyster Bay, NY.

 

Gingivitis, as mentioned above, is the first stage of gum disease. It’s caused by an accumulation of large amounts of plaque on the teeth. This material is also responsible for cavities. Abnormal amounts are the result of not properly taking care of your oral health. The first thing you need to do is re-evaluate your child’s dental habits.

 

First, take a moment to observe your child’s brushing techniques. They need to brush twice a day, after breakfast and before bed. Children older than five can brush by themselves. You just need to watch them to make sure it’s done right. Younger kids need a parent’s direct involvement. Your Oyster Bay, NY, dentists also stress the importance of using the correct toothbrush. Toothbrushes differentiate in size depending on a child’s age. You should also replace your child’s toothbrush every 3-4 months.

 

Flossing, like brushing, can be done by children over the age of five. Younger children need your assistance. Flossing is the only way to clean and remove excess plaque from certain areas. You or your child starts by removing 18 inches of floss. Move the floss around each separate tooth in a “C” formation. Carefully move it up and down, rubbing the sides of the teeth.

 

Everyone, including children, need to see the dentist twice a year. Professional cleanings are the only proper way to treat gingivitis. Contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists right away if your child experiences symptoms of gingivitis. Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda are available by appointment in Oyster Bay, NY. To set up your appointment, call 516-922-5730. You can also visit our website at http://www.oysterbaydentists.com/.

Gum Grafting

Drs. Robert G. West and Denise VeyVoda of The Oyster Bay Family Dentist offer gum grafting procedures to our patients. These are necessary when patients don’t follow recommended oral routines. Periodontal disease manifests when proper brushing and flossing isn’t utilized. The early stage is Gingivitis. It can be reversed while later stages of periodontal disease cannot. When your gums begin to recede gum grafting is necessary. Contact our office in Oyster Bay, NY.

 

Gingivitis occurs when bacteria and plaque manifest. This bacteria will continuously multiple until large pockets are formed. Drs. West or VeyVoda can clean these pockets out. This won’t get rid of them though. They reveal an abnormal amount of the tooth itself, making it dangerous and displeasing to look at.

 

A gum graft can fix this. It restores and corrects these gum pockets. Your Oyster Bay dentist starts by numbing the areas with a local anesthetic. Gum tissue is removed from the top of the mouth. It’s then stretched and stitched over the gums. The outcome is to cover the exposed areas of the tooth. A successful procedure encourages the gums to grow on their own.

 

Following your post-operative instructions is necessary for a successful procedure. It should take between 2-3 weeks to fully heal. It’s important to avoid eating difficult food during this time. Try to eat only soft and cold foods. Don’t engage in any sorts of vigorous exercise. Be very careful when brushing and flossing the healing area.

 

To learn more about the gum grafting procedure, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. We are located in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Robert G. West or Denise VeyVoda, visit our website or call 516-922-5730.