We’re constantly on the lookout for cavities in our kids’ teeth. We check for dark spots and ask if anything hurts, but the warning signs of gum disease often slip past us. Gum health just doesn’t get the same attention.
Gum disease affects more children and teenagers than most parents realize. Unfortunately, the early signs are easy to miss, and many families don’t notice the problem until it’s already progressed.
Catching gum disease early can prevent serious oral health problems later on. When we spot the signs in the early stages, treatment is usually simple and very effective. But if it’s left untreated, gum disease can cause tooth loss, bone damage, and other serious oral health issues.
5 Signs of Gum Disease in Kids
Red or Swollen Gums
Healthy gums should be pink and firm. When gums get inflamed, they turn a deeper red and puff up around the teeth. This is usually the first visible sign that something isn’t quite right with your child’s gum health.
Sometimes kids brush a little too hard, and that extra pressure can cause redness and swelling. Braces can also irritate gums, especially when kids are just getting used to them or right after an adjustment. These issues usually clear up in a few days.
The problem is when the redness and swelling stick around for more than a week. Most of the time, this is a result of poor oral hygiene. A few days of improved oral home care (better brushing) and supervision of your child’s brushing usually solve the problem.
If your child’s gums stay inflamed, especially in more than one area of their mouth, it’s time to take a closer look at their oral hygiene routine and consider scheduling a dental visit.
Gums That Bleed Easily
It’s not unusual for kids’ gums to bleed occasionally after brushing, especially if they’re brushing too hard or just getting into the habit of flossing.
But frequent bleeding is a different story. When gums bleed regularly during normal brushing or flossing, it usually means plaque and tartar have built up along the gum line. This buildup irritates the gums and causes inflammation, making them tender and quick to bleed at the slightest touch.
The tricky part is that many kids don’t say anything about the bleeding. Sometimes they don’t even notice it, or they think it’s normal. That’s why it helps for parents to keep an eye on their brushing routine and check the toothbrush or sink for signs of blood.
If the bleeding keeps happening for more than a few days, don’t just wait and see. The longer the plaque stays on the gum line, the tougher it is to remove with regular brushing.
At that point, a professional cleaning might be needed, and a pediatric dentist can also check if your child’s brushing technique needs a little adjustment or if there is another issue causing the bleeding altogether, like a food trap or ulcer.
Bad Breath That Doesn’t Go Away
Bad breath can be completely normal, especially in the morning just after waking up or after your child eats something with a strong smell. In those cases, it usually fades pretty quickly.
But there’s a big difference between those temporary breath issues and the persistent bad breath that comes with gum disease. When bacteria collect in inflamed gum pockets, they release sulfur compounds that cause a constant unpleasant odor. This isn’t the kind of bad breath that disappears after brushing or chewing gum.
Parents often describe gum disease-related bad breath as having a sour or slightly metallic smell that lingers throughout the day. Unlike food-related odors, this kind of breath comes back quickly, even right after brushing.
Read more: What to Do If Your Child Has Bad Breath
Gum Recession (Teeth Looking ‘Longer’)
This one can be easy to miss at first. Gum recession happens when the gums slowly pull away from the teeth, leaving more of the tooth surface exposed than should normally be visible. As a result, the teeth can start to look longer than they used to, sometimes with small gaps or spaces where the gum line has pulled back.
In kids, this often shows up around the front teeth or canines, where plaque tends to build up if brushing isn’t thorough. When the gums recede, parts of the tooth root that should stay covered become exposed, which can make teeth more sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks.
Gum recession usually signals a more advanced stage of gum disease. In some cases, it can be improved with better oral hygiene, but more serious cases may need treatment, such as surgical or laser procedures.
Read more: Common Causes of Gum Recession in Kids and How Parents Can Help
Loose or Shifting Teeth
This is the sign that should have parents calling the dentist right away. When gum disease goes untreated, it doesn’t just affect the gums. It starts to damage the bone that holds the teeth in place. As the supporting bone breaks down, teeth can loosen or shift out of position.
In children, this is especially concerning because it can interfere with how their bite develops and how their permanent teeth align. If a tooth that isn’t supposed to fall out yet starts to feel loose, it could mean the bone and tissue supporting it have been weakened by advanced gum disease.
The shift from healthy gums to bone loss doesn’t happen overnight. By the time parents notice loose or moving teeth, the disease has usually been present for quite a while. At this stage, more involved treatment is often needed.
That’s why catching the earlier signs matters so much. Once teeth start to loosen or move, the situation becomes much more complex and needs immediate professional attention.
Don’t Wait for Warning Signs
The five signs above show how gum disease can progress from mild to severe. Catching any of them early makes treatment much easier, but the best approach is to prevent gum disease from developing in the first place.
What many parents don’t realize is that even if your child isn’t showing obvious symptoms, your child’s dentist can often spot the earliest signs during a routine checkup. Professional exams can reveal plaque buildup, early inflammation, or other risk factors that aren’t visible at home.
For families in Lafayette, Breaux Bridge, Carencro, Youngsville, and across the greater Acadiana area, keeping up with six-month dental visits is one of the most important steps you can take. These appointments aren’t just about checking for cavities, but also the best way to track gum health and catch potential problems while they’re still easy to treat.
If you’ve noticed any of these warning signs in your child, don’t wait to schedule an appointment. And even if everything looks fine at home, those regular visits every six months are your child’s best defense against gum disease and the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Contact us at Lafayette Pediatric Dentistry today to set up an appointment and keep your child’s oral health on the right track.