Pediatric Gum Disease Treatment Arlington Heights

Creating a Healthy Frame for Young Smiles

Young boy preparing to undergo pediatric gum disease treatment

Do you usually think of gum disease as a condition that afflicts adults? Indeed, it occurs relatively frequently in mature individuals, and the risk increases with age. However, it might surprise you to learn that kids are also vulnerable to gum disease! That is why our team is committed to helping young patients prevent and manage this problem. Continue reading below to learn more about pediatric gum disease treatment in our Arlington Heights office.

Why Choose All About Kids Dentistry for Pediatric Gum Disease Treatment?

Highly Skilled Pediatric Dental Team
Comfortable Treatment in a Kid-Friendly Environment
Advanced Laser Treatment Available

What Is Gum Disease?

Illustration of infected gums around teeth

Gum disease is an oral infection that affects the soft pink tissue around the teeth. Its early stage is known as gingivitis; at this point, it is still completely reversible. As it worsens, it progresses to periodontitis, which is characterized by irreversible tissue damage.

Poor oral hygiene is often a major contributor to the development of gum disease in kids. However, other factors, such as genetics and crowded teeth, may also play a role.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Your child might have gum disease if they are exhibiting any of the following signs and symptoms:

Red, swollen, and tender gums
Chronic bad breath that does not go away after brushing and flossing
A reluctance to brush and floss their teeth because doing so causes discomfort or bleeding
Noticeable gum recession
Pockets between the tooth roots and gums
Loose teeth
Abnormal tooth loss

How Do We Treat Gum Disease?

Pediatric dentist interacting with preteen boy

There are a few different ways to treat gum disease, depending on its severity and other factors. In some cases, mild gum disease can be reversed with thorough at-home oral hygiene. Our team can coach you and your child on effective home care. If that will not be adequate, we will likely recommend one of the following treatments:

Scaling & Root Planing

Illustration of scaler being used to clean tooth roots

Scaling and root planing is basically a deep professional cleaning of the mouth. We will thoroughly clean your child’s teeth both above and below the gumline. We will also smooth out the roots of the teeth so it is more difficult for bacteria to cling to them. Thereafter, the gums will have a chance to heal and firmly reattach to the teeth.

Antibiotic Treatment

Variety of antibiotic medications on top of document

Antibiotics are very effective at killing harmful oral bacteria in the mouth. Our team may write a prescription for your child, and you should make sure they use it as directed. In most cases, antibiotics produce the best results when they are used alongside other treatments, such as scaling and root planing.

Laser Periodontal Treatment

Illustration of dental laser being used along gumline

Lasers are very good at killing harmful oral bacteria. We can use this technology to target pockets of infection in your child’s mouth. We may also carefully remove diseased areas of tissue. Laser therapy often works best as a complement to other forms of gum disease treatment.