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Brushing Up
your sponsor
Delta Dental
Gum Lines
Here are some answers to questions parents
are asking about gum (or periodontal)
disease:
Isn’t gum disease a grown-up
problem?
Studies show nearly all children have
gingivitis, the first stage of periodontal
disease. Chronic gingivitis, in which the
gums swell, turn red and bleed easily, is
very common.
Is chronic gingivitis as bad as it gets
for children?
Localized aggressive periodontitis can
be found in teenagers and otherwise
healthy young adults. Characterized by
the severe loss of alveolar bone, it mainly
affects the first molars and incisors.
There’s also generalized aggressive
periodontitis, which can begin around
puberty and is marked by inflammation
of the gums and heavy accumulations
of plaque. Children with Type I diabetes,
Down’s syndrome and Kindler syndrome
are more susceptible to gum disease.
Does periodontal disease run in
families?
It can pass from parents to children and
between couples. Studies suggest that
bacteria that cause the disease can pass
through saliva. Genetics may also play
a role. If one person in the family has
periodontal disease, it’s a good idea for all
family members to be screened.
What’s the best way to handle gum
disease?
Early diagnosis is crucial for treatment
of periodontal diseases. Make sure your
child receives a periodontal examination
as part of regular dentist visits. Be sure to
tell your dentist about any medications
your child is taking as some medications
can dry out the mouth. Monitor your
children to make sure they are not
grinding their teeth.
Abrasion: Loss of tooth structure caused by
Floss: A waxed or unwaxed piece of nylon string
Amalgam: Material used for fillings.
Bite: The way in which the upper and lower
Enamel: The hard tissue covering the portion of
tooth above the gum line. The hardest substance
in the body.
teeth meet when closing the mouth.
Bonding: The covering of a tooth surface to
Extraction: Removal of a tooth.
Filling: Restoration of lost tooth structure with
correct stained or damaged teeth.
Calculus: Hard residue, commonly know as
“tartar,” that forms on teeth due to inadequate
plaque control, often stained
yellow or brown.
metal, porcelain or resin materials.
Hygienist: A type of dental professional
qualified to clean and scale teeth. They also
educate patients on proper dental care.
Cavity: A hole in a tooth.
Cleaning: Removal of plaque
Incisors: The four upper or lower single-cusped
front teeth designed for incising or cutting food.
and tartar from teeth, generally
above the gum line.
Molars: The back teeth that are designed for
grinding food before swallowing.
Cuspids: The large pointed teeth at the corners
Plaque: A sticky substance that forms on the
of the mouth. Also known as canine or eye teeth.
surface of the teeth and harbors bacteria growth
and acid formation beneath its surface, causing
tooth decay.
Decay: Destruction of tooth structure caused by
toxins produced by bacteria.
Bits of Bytes
Time for a little play on words. Using the information above and the clues here,
see if you can unscramble the words below:
1. Something you never want in your
mouth.
VCITYA
4. Without them, swallowing would be
much harder.
LSAMRO
2. What happens to teeth when bacteria
attack.
AEYCD
5. You need this twice a day. Your teeth
need it twice a year.
ECNLANGI
3. If you listen and learn, you only have
to see this person twice a year.
IYINGSTHE
6. Proper dental care will keep you from
putting this in your mouth.
GILFNLSI
Delta Dental of New Jersey
Everyone deserves a healthy smile
For more information, visit
www.deltadentalnj.com
16
that is inserted between the teeth and moved in
an up/down fashion for the removal of plaque or
other food deposits
a hard toothbrush, poor brushing technique, or
grinding or clenching the teeth.
Answers: 1. Cavity; 2. Decay; 3. Hygienist; 4. Molars; 5. Cleaning; 6. Fillings
What should I look for in my child’s
mouth to determine if there is gum
disease?
Bleeding gums, swollen and bright red
gums, receding gums and bad breath
can all be signs of gum disease in your
children.
www.thinknewspaper.net
Delta Dental of New Jersey Inc. is New Jersey’s leading
dental benefits company, providing or administering
coverage to more than two million people through
contracts with employers in New Jersey and Connecticut.
For more lessons, trivia, games and fun:
Check out the Delta Dental Kid’s Club at
www.deltadentalnj.com/kids_club/kids_club.shtm
October 2011