A long-lasting smile for your little ones!

September is national Oral Health Month and i-MED Africa, which fights for children’s disease in our communities. This week, we focus on gum diseases and the importance of Oral Health from an early stage in every child’s life. Diseases of the mouth are connected by the body's natural reaction to harmful stimuli, which we call the inflammatory response. Pain, redness and swelling are signs of inflammation, a process by which your immune system responds to damage or disease in your tissues. Inflammation can help the body heal or if it becomes chronic and can lead to more serious problems. Oral diseases are one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood, untreated diseases can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning of children.

TYPES OF GUM DISEASE

GINGIVITIS is the mildest form of periodontal disease. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.

Factors that may contribute to gingivitis include diabetes, smoking, aging, genetic predisposition, systemic diseases and conditions, stress, inadequate nutrition, puberty, hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, substance abuse, HIV infection, and certain medication use.

Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis.  

PERIODONTITIS can lead to tooth loss and other health problems. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body turns on itself, the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.

The good news is that oral diseases are preventable. Prevention and health should be the goal for each child. Through early detection, proper counselling and the involvement of health professionals and caregivers, the consequences of this disease can be minimized and hopefully, in future, eliminated.

Give your children a sparkling smile, fresh breath, and healthy gums!