You may assume that your toddler is safe from gum or periodontal disease. This is a common misconception that many parents have. It has something to do with the idea that new teeth aren't mature enough to fall prey to the ravages of decay and gum problems. Unfortunately, toddlers can definitely develop gum disease.

How do Toddlers Get Gum Disease

Keep in mind that a periodontal disease is only a buildup of harmful bacteria. That inflammation will work towards the goal of destroying everything that supports a tooth. It starts as plaque and eventually builds until it's an outright gum disease.

Knowing that these periodontal issues start with bacteria, you now have an understanding of how toddlers can develop gum disease. It's simply a case of bad dental hygiene.

So what's the cause of this bad hygiene? Even if you regularly brush your toddler's teeth, there are still some bad dental hygiene habits that you might not even consider as such.

Not seeing a dentist – It's never really too early to start taking your child in for regular dental appointments.

Eating sugary foods regularly – High sugar content causes more and faster plaque buildup.

Unbalanced diet – Too many foods high in carbohydrates also contribute to plaque buildup.

Improper brushing – Even regularly brushing can fail if you're not brushing your toddler's teeth right or teaching your toddler how to brush correctly.

Neglecting to floss – You don't have to wait for your child to grow older before starting with some basic flossing to remove buildup from between teeth.

Know the Signs of Periodontal Disease

Because parents don't assume that gum disease can develop in their toddlers, they rarely check for the signs of possible gum disease.

• Red or swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Trouble or pain while eating
• Refusal to eat
• Trouble or pain when brushing
• Refusal to brush

Toddlers don't have all the words to let you know what's going on with them. This frustrates them terribly. But if they are suffering from any kind of gum disease, they will attempt to let you know. You can help them to help you by actively making sure that you're taking care of their teeth and not ignoring anything that seems to cause them discomfort.

Your child may also have some other mouth issue that they are trying to alert you to. If you neglect one issue, you may actually be neglecting several. Always practice diligence when it comes to your child's dental hygiene. Just by taking care of that, you may detect some other issues early. Between your help and seeing a dentist regularly, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. To learn more about gum disease, visit http://www.advancedgumsurgery.com.