Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is one of the most common oral health issues experienced by people today. The condition is marked by infection and inflammation of the gums, making them appear swollen and slightly darkened. Children can develop periodontitis when plaque remains inside the mouth for excessively long periods of time because of a lack of brushing and flossing.

Gum disease initially forms when the toxins present in plaque begin irritating the gum tissue, causing inflammation. As the condition progresses, the gums will begin to retract from the teeth, creating empty spaces called periodontal pockets. These pockets can quickly become filled with harmful tartar, bacteria and plaque. If the disorder is still left untreated, it will spread to the jawbone and the connective tissue of teeth, eventually resulting in tooth loss.

When gum disease occurs, a child should receive treatment as quickly as possible in order to prevent their teeth and gums from experiencing serious damage. One of the most effective ways to stop the spread of gum disease and prevent future occurrences is through a special process called scaling and root planing.

Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning that works to remove all of the heavily built-up plaque that is present above and below a child’s gum line. In order to ensure a thorough cleaning, the treatment typically focuses on one quadrant of the mouth at a time.

The scaling process involves using specially designed dental tools to reach deep within areas that normally are not accessible to remove any buildup of plaque that is present. Once all of the plaque has been removed, the root surfaces are smoothed out, and future build-ups are prevented in a process referred to as root planing. After the treatment has been completed, the periodontal pockets should begin to retract, allowing the gums to recover and eventually reattach themselves to the child’s teeth.