How to Help Your Kids When They Have Bleeding Gums

Has your child ever come to you with infant bleeding gums? If so, you should watch out for several causes, but the one that requires special attention is gum disease.

Toddler gums bleeding can be indicative of severe dental health issues that you don’t want to let slide. With age, you can even relate periodontal disease to several other health problems, so you should never neglect your dental hygiene.

Toddler gum bleeding can result from inflammation and infections that endanger your teeth, mouth, and overall health. These infections can even spread to other parts of the patient’s body and cause even more complications.

Many external factors can cause gum disease, as we will be discussing. However, we can usually associate gum disease with poor oral hygiene. Below, we discuss some common causes of bleeding gums in younger patients and when is the best time for your child to visit the pediatric dentist Katy.

Why Do Children Need Pediatric Dentistry?

Your child is the most important person in your life; at Kids Healthy Teeth, we feel the same way; that is why we want to help you give your child the best possible oral care Katy. As a pediatric dentistry practice, we are experts in kids.

That’s because we go through special training to learn how to handle kids, and all of our staff members are kid-friendly. We understand your children’s behaviors and know how to make young patients feel comfortable, especially on their first visit. Additionally, we treat dental issues specific to little mouths from infancy through the teenage years.

Because we specialize in children, we can better address issues specific to younger children, such as pacifier use, thumb-sucking, and bottle feeding. Baby teeth get, too, and should be treated by a pediatric dentist to prevent further problems in the future.

Lastly, unlike other dentist offices, pediatric practices are made to look and feel more like playgrounds. Usually, pediatric practices have murals of zoo animals, sea creatures, or other playful scenes and a play area filled with toys and video games, everything your child will need to feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed while attending a dental appointment.

What Causes Bleeding Gums in a Child?

Bleeding Gums While Brushing

Starting with some of the least worrying reasons why your child may report bleeding gums, we have their toothbrush.

A new toothbrush with firm bristles can sometimes cause gums to bleed. If you just bought your child a new toothbrush, check the bristles to see how firm they are, or look on the package to see what types of bristles it has.

You should always buy toothbrushes with soft bristles for young kids; they are just as good at cleaning your teeth as toothbrushes with more rigid bristles but are much kinder to gums and teeth.

Also, ensure your child isn’t under too much pressure when brushing their teeth. This mistake can also cause bleeding and damage to sensitive gums.

Helping your child develop good dental hygiene habits will help them avoid damaging their gums and prevent infections resulting from plaque and harmful bacteria build-up.

Baby Bleeding Gums Caused by a New Flossing Routine

If your child has just started flossing, then they will most likely experience some minor bleeding.

The bleeding occurs because the gums’ deep crevices are incredibly sensitive and are easily agitated when someone begins a new flossing routine.

Baby bleeding gums caused by flossing should subside in about a week. Rinsing their mouth with warm salt water may help during this initial week.

Remind your child of the importance of flossing. You can always visit our office if your child is experiencing bleeding gums for more than one week.

Any bleeding after your child begins flossing may indicate a more severe problem that requires treatment.

Some Medications Can Cause Baby Bleeding Gums

Certain medications can cause gums to become inflamed and extra sensitive, making them more susceptible to bleeding.

If your child has just started a new regimen of medications, then they might be the culprit.

Some anticoagulants may result in bleeding gums, so make sure you tell the dentist on your next visit about all the medication that your child is taking.

Make sure they stick to their medication routine but have them be gentler when they brush so that they don’t irritate their sensitive gums. We don’t want to be careless with their medication regimen.

It is also possible that your kids may need to take a medicine that will dry their mouths; a dry mouth is at a higher risk of inflammation, leading to gum disease.

Consider these common medications as potential mouth dryers:

• Antihistamines
• Lung inhalers
• Isotretinoin
• Anti-anxiety medication
• Scopolamine
• Others

Periodontal Disease Causes Toddler Baby Gums Bleeding

If your child has gums that bleed easily or are red, swollen, and tender, they may have gum disease.

Also called periodontal disease, gum disease can result from excessive plaque buildup.

The best way to keep gum disease away from your child is an excellent oral health routine. Ensure that your children are brushing twice daily for two minutes at a time and that they floss once per day.

Children don’t immediately start with a case of periodontitis. If parents don’t guide their children to develop healthy oral hygiene habits early on, kids may develop gingivitis.

Gingivitis precedes periodontitis and is usually the result of insufficient dental hygiene.

Unfortunately, the American Association of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) recognizes the alarming prevalence of gingivitis nationwide.

Around half the population suffers from gingivitis between ages 3-4. Additionally, almost everyone suffers from some type of gingivitis in their adolescent years.

What Are the Symptoms of Gingivitis?

Consider that there is a considerable amount of plaque around the base of your teeth. Your baby’s gums closer to your teeth begin to swell and look red.

The plaque irritates their gums, and the constant irritation can lead to bleeding. Gingivitis is well-known for swollen, irritated, receding, and easily bleeding gums.

Fortunately, this condition is easily treated with professional help. Make sure you contact a kids’ dentist near you.

Treatments of Baby Gums Bleeding With Gingivitis

Your kid’s pediatric dentist will initiate treatment considering their medical history. Remember, we want to avoid forgetting any important details like your kid’s medication.

We may have to probe around your child’s teeth to rule out any pockets caused by swollen and infected tissue. If there is an infection, your kid may require some antibiotics for some time.

We will also emphasize the importance of having a good oral hygiene routine and maybe performing a deep dental cleaning to remove plaque below the gum line.

Best to Prevent Gingivitis

Parents have to go the extra mile to teach their children about good dental hygiene habits. Join them in brushing their teeth after every meal.

Everyone should brush their teeth at least twice a day. Remember to use a circular motion and brush your teeth at least for 2 minutes every time. Using dental floss daily is also essential to prevent dental health complications.

Keep your kid’s dentist every 6 months and pay close attention to your child’s toothbrush. Consider getting an electric toothbrush or experimenting with which bristles work best on your kid.

You should also keep an eye out for what your kid likes to eat. Sugary foods and drinks can cause severe damage to your children’s teeth.

Decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis can all begin with imbalanced diets filled with sugary foods and soft drinks.

What About Bleeding Gums in Toddlers With Fever?

A young patient can develop a fever as a result of periodontal disease. There are reports of severe periodontal diseases as the cause of a fever of unknown origin.

If a child appears to suffer from periodontal disease and develops a fever, you should take them to an Emergency Room for a comprehensive medical examination.

Relations Between Bleeding Gums and Bad Breaths?

We have mentioned that bleeding gums can be a sign of periodontal disease. Persisting bad breath can also result from varying degrees of periodontal disease.

The buildup of bacteria in your mouth causes bad breath, and you should consult with a dental health professional as soon as possible to get the necessary treatment.

What Are the Best Practices for Kids’ Healthy Teeth?

Aside from teaching and helping your child with their daily oral care routine, there are other steps you can take as a parent to ensure you keep your kids’ teeth healthy and happy, in turn providing a bright and radiant smile for your child. Let’s take a look at other things to consider:

• Start good oral habits early. Teach kids to brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and to floss regularly.
• Get enough fluoride. Regular use of fluoride toughens the enamel, making it harder for acid to penetrate. You can ask your child’s dentist for fluoride supplements. Most kinds of toothpaste contain fluoride in Katy, but toothpaste alone will not fully protect a child’s teeth. Be careful, however, because too much fluoride can cause discoloration in your child’s teeth.
• Limit or avoid certain foods. Sugary foods, juices, and candy can erode enamel and cause cavities. If your child eats these foods, make sure they rinse their mouth or, better yet, brush their teeth after consuming candy or any type of sugary treat.
• As your child’s permanent teeth grow, your child’s dentist can help prevent tooth decay by applying a sealant to the back teeth, which are usually used the most while chewing. This protective coating keeps bacteria from settling in the hard-to-reach crevices of your child’s molars. Keep in mind that dental sealants are not meant to replace regular brushing and flossing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Causes Bleeding Gums in a Child?

There are several reasons why a toddler may have bleeding gums. If they are brushing with too much force, they may be hurting their gums unnecessarily. Some children who are new to flossing can also hurt their gums. You should be especially attentive to bleeding because it could also signify gum disease.

How Do You Stop a Child’s Gums From Bleeding?

You can stop bleeding depending on the cause. If the bleeding is caused just by flossing or brushing, you can help your child by getting a soft-bristle toothbrush or by helping them floss correctly. If the problem is gum disease, we suggest a visit to the dentist to get a professional cleaning and reinforce the child’s oral hygiene routine.

What are toddler gums bleeding a Sign of?

Babies with bleeding gums may be developing gum disease. If their teeth are not cleaned properly, the buildup of plaque and harmful bacteria that attack the teeth also causes redness, swelling, pain, and bleeding of the gums.

When Should I Be Concerned About Toddler Gums Bleeding?

Blood is extremely alarming and you should always pay attention when a child says they saw blood the last time they brushed their teeth. If the bleeding continues for some time, contact your dentist so they can perform a thorough examination of your child to help them prevent any further complications.

Can Bleeding Gums be a Sign of Something Serious?

Yes. When a patient reports they have bleeding gums, or that it looks as if there is blood around their teeth, they may be developing gum disease. This is serious because it can be hard to correct it without professional help. If gum disease is not treated, the patient is at risk of losing teeth.

Visit Our Katy Pediatric Dentist’s Office At Kids Healthy Teeth

If your child has bleeding gums that last more than one week, then visit our office so that we can prescribe a proper treatment plan.

Gums that bleed for more than a week are often indicative of some form of gum disease that needs to be treated by a pediatric dentist in Katy. Visit our kids’ dentist’s office today to help your child get healthier gums and a smile that they’re proud to share.