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Is gum disease possible in a 3 year old?
My daughter has adenoids problems because she sleeps with her mouth open. She is complaining of pain in her gums. Could it be a gum infection?
13 Answers
Dear Mom, Mouth breathing can cause inflammation in the gums gums due to the dry mouth environment it creates. As a consequence, your daughter can have redness, bleeding, and discomfort in her mouth.
No, usually periodontal disease starts later in life. However, there are some exceptions in patients with genetic diseases that are related to periodontal disease Isabel C. Gay, DDS, MS Clinical Associate Professor Diplomate of the ABP SIU School of Dental Medicine 2800 College Ave., Alton, IL 62002 618-474-7208
It is possible. Please have it check out by your dentist or periodontist
No but it could be her mouth drying out at night because she sleeps with her mouth open. This should best be handled by a pediatric dentist, a specialist in children's dentistry.
No.
No, not possible. She is probably having dry mouth because she sleeps with her mouth open. Have your dentist just look at her only.
That is not gum disease per se. Mouth breathing can create other gum issues, but she is probably just experiencing the discomfort associated with the loss of one or more baby teeth and the eruption of a permanent tooth.
Mouth breathers tend to have dryer mouths and that can lead to more oral complications. Your daughter probably needs to be seen by a petiofontist and possibly an orthodontist to have her airway evaluated. She also may need to see an ear nose and throat doctor.
Mouth breathing can cause gums to become inflamed. However, I have seen gum infection in young children. It is best that you have her evaluated by your dentist.
A patient who suffers from mouth-breathing issues will get gum disease and inflammation around their gums.
When the oral tissues, gums, cheeks, and tongue are dry due to mouth breathing, the immune components which are in saliva, are not present and bacteria can flourish, there are over-the-counter medications which help produce saliva in dry mouths, there is also a prescription medication rinse, Neutrasol, which I have found effective in my patients with dry mouth. Remember, a lack of saliva and its protective components help reduce bacteria not only on the gingiva, but also on the teeth helping to prevent tooth caries or decay.
It could be a gum infection or just dry mouth but not periodontal disease at age 3. You should take her to either the family dentist or a pediatric dentist. I hope this helps.
Gum disease is very rare in such young children. The gum pain is likely due to the gums being very dry at night. I would highly recommend she have at least a prophylactic cleaning done by her/his dentist and to brush the teeth really well every night.
Cheers,
Neal C. Raval, DDS, MSD