Children In Chicago Prone To Gum Disease
Thursday, November 12th, 2009Good oral health care should be taught at an early age to establish the habit of proper maintenance of the teeth and gums. Since a child’s teeth are still at its development stage, care should be given to create a strong and healthy foundation of the teeth and gums.
Unfortunately, many kids are still suffering from dental problems despite constant reminders to parents to guide their children towards a healthy and proper dental habit. According to a report from the Office of the U.S Surgeon General, there are an increasing number of children suffering from Chicago gum disease each year. This is due to failure to provide for the dental health needs of the children. It has been estimated that roughly 37% of school age children haven’t had any dental check-ups.
A strong foundation of oral health improves the chances of the child to avoid periodontal disease in the future, therefore reducing the incidence of periodontal diseases. To encourage the parents and their children to practice good oral hygiene, dentists need to educate them in the benefits of proper routine oral care. Good oral health maintenance that starts from childhood will prevent the development of periodontal disease and other systemic disease that are linked to it. Good oral care will also greatly improve the appearance of the smile, making children more confident and comfortable with their teeth and gums.
The most common oral problems that children suffer from are dental cavities. Although cavities are treatable, delay in treatment can cause further damage to the teeth. According to a recent study released by the Office of the U.S Surgeon General, non-attendance of children in school days is often times caused by dental problems. To combat this problem and to promote good oral health, dentists are looking for ways to educate and provide for the oral needs of the children. In Texas, for instance, over 120 dentists volunteer to provide dental treatments to children from low-income families.
The American Academy of Periodontology has set guidelines that can help parents and their children achieve good oral health. Aside from frequent visits to the dentist, the following are valuable information that can help avoid development of Chicago gum disease in the future: (1) Children are recommended to start brushing their teeth with a very small amount of toothpaste at the age of 1. Flossing can be started as soon as there are no more gaps in between the teeth, (2) Constantly remind children of brushing their teeth at least twice a day. Encourage your children by showing them that you are also practicing good oral hygiene, (3) Regularly check a child’s teeth and gums for bleeding, swelling and inflammation. Visit a dentist immediately if any of the above symptoms occur and (4) To lower the risk for gum disease, children should avoid eating foods that are high in sugar. Their diet must be composed by healthy foods that are rich in Calcium and Vitamin C.
For people who are in need of treatment for Chicago gum disease and are looking for an alternative to flap gum surgery should contact Dr. Marcus at (312)263-6898 or visit him on the web at http://michaelmarcusdds.com. Dr. Marcus is a highly trained general dentist who treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel.


