UPDATED – 24-10-17

Bleeding gums can make a parent nervous to no end. Imagine your child coming to you with blood oozing from his mouth after a brushing session before bed. Your first instinct as a parent would probably be to call your pediatric dentist after rushing your little one to the emergency room. There are several reasons for bleeding gums in kids. Here are four common causes of gum irritation in children.

1. New Flossing Routine

Kids who floss on a consistent basis before missing a day or two of the practice may find their gums more prone to irritation when they get back on track with proper orthodontic care. Parents should always encourage their kids to floss daily, at least once per day, to avoid the discomfort of plaque buildup and subsequent bleeding.

2. Vigorous Brushing

Children who are ambitious about cleaning their teeth all day may find that their gums cannot withstand excessive brushing. Vigorously purifying your teeth can irritate gum tissue and lead to bleeding.

3. Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a form of gum disease that often affects adults but may be found in children as well. The illness is the result of individuals failing to properly clean their teeth on a consistent basis. Children who develop gingivitis often miss several brushing sessions, which leads to rapid plaque buildup. A child whose gums are both red and sensitive to touch may be in the beginning stages of the disease. You should contact a pediatric dentist immediately if your child shows signs of gingivitis.

4. Leukemia

Leukemia is a group of cancers that cause white blood cells to develop abnormally. Consistent bleeding in the gums is a rare but possible sign of the disease developing in the body. You should never take bleeding gums in your kids lightly. Contact a pediatric dentist immediately at the sight of irritation.

For any or all of the above, contact KinderSmiles today for expert analysis. Here, Dr. Engel will take you through the steps and treatments available as to your needs.

KinderSmiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

400 Kinderkamack Rd

Oradell, NJ 07649

Phone: 201-262-0211

My Child Has Bleeding Gums – 4 [Common] Causes

Dr Engel holds a speciality license in pediatric dentistry from New Jersey and New York. He also has attained sedation certification, which allows for in-office oral sedation options, and he’s on staff at Hackensack University Medical Center. As an attending pediatric dentist at HUMC, Dr Engel retains operating room privileges, allowing for an array of treatment modalities and anaesthesia options.