Why does my baby have red gums? Causes, treatment, drugs, medical advice

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Inflammation of the gums is a reason to see a doctor, study the problem and understand the rules for treating such an ailment as red inflamed gums in a child. The article below will help you with this, which contains information about the causes, treatment tactics and tips for preventing the disease.

Primary inflammation of the oral mucosa in medicine is called gingivitis, ignoring which further provokes periodontitis, followed by the destruction of soft tissues and, as a result, the formation of malocclusion, problems with the development of both milk and permanent teeth.

Oral he alth monitoring

First of all, it is necessary to constantly monitor and observe the oral hygiene of the baby from the first days of life. Since up to a year the child is closely physically connected with the mother, she should not forget about personal hygiene of the body. Control the cleanliness and quality of everything that goes into your child's mouth.

NotForget about the fact that one of the reasons why a child has red gums may be erupting teeth. This fact should only sharpen your attention and strengthen measures. Weak immunity and an increased risk of contracting any infection can only aggravate the condition of the baby's oral cavity.

Watch your child's diet. Problems with the structure of tissues largely depend on the quality of nutrition, and therefore make sure that your child receives all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

The main task of parents is the conscious and competent control over the he alth of their baby. Therefore, if you notice that the child's gums are red and swollen, and his general well-being and behavior is different from usual, take immediate action. And see a doctor in the near future.

Why does my baby have red gums?

Redden gums is a very common childhood disease that has a lot of causes. The most harmless reason why your baby experiences discomfort in the oral cavity is the eruption of the first milk teeth. This is a natural and mandatory physiological process in the life of every person, which begins at the age of about 6 months from birth and normally ends by 3 years.

And therefore, if you notice red upper gums in a child or inflammation from below, and at the same time noted increased salivation, decreased appetite, causeless crying and fever, do not panic and heal the oral cavity from a non-existent disease. Teething and, as a result, inflammation of the gums is the only moment that does not require a pediatrician's consultation, of course, if everything goes well without significant complications.

Reddenness can be caused by mechanical damage to the gums, so it is important to monitor the child's behavior and what goes into his mouth. This precaution can save you not only from gum problems, but also from possible damage to the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. After all, if a child swallows some foreign object, serious consequences may arise.

Allergic reactions are another reason for changes in the structure and color of a child's gums. An imbalance in nutrition or just a product that is not suitable for your child can cause allergies and manifest itself in the form of inflammation not only on the gums, but also on other mucous membranes in the body.

Don't forget about chronic diseases, such as diabetes, problems with the gastrointestinal tract and the cardiovascular system, which also cause reddening of the gums.

Adult causes of gum disease

Hormonal failure and the consequences in the form of inflamed gums is associated with the restructuring of the body. A similar cause of redness is typical for adolescents aged 11-15, since it is at this age that the organization of the body completely changes in children.

The factors that cause inflammation of the gums at an older age include an incorrectly formed bite in the process of tooth growth. Seal orjaw deformity causes increased pressure on the gums, which causes them to swell.

Analyzing all the reasons why a parent can observe red gums in a child, one can notice that a common indicator is the baby's weak immunity. Light colds, seasonal vitamin deficiencies and poor hygiene are a number of factors that constantly lead to problems with the he alth of the mucous membranes of the body.

Pathologies causing inflammation of the gums

In addition to the common causes of redness on children's gums, it is necessary to say about the pathological conditions that provoke this problem, which are serious deviations from the norm in human he alth.

Among these are:

• gingivitis;
• periodontitis;
• periodontal disease;
• stomatitis.

Gingivitis as a cause of reddening of children's gums

Gingivitis is a disease that occurs in almost every child. However, it is worth noting that it is he who can be stopped until the moment when the inflammatory process becomes infectious and begins to destroy tissues and other mucous membranes of the body. In children, gingivitis occurs due to teething. During the passage of the first tooth through soft tissues, their destruction occurs, which leads to inflammation. In such cases, you can notice that a red bump has formed on the child's gum, which in just a few days will turn into a small white tubercle. It is from it that the tooth appears.

Gingivitis is characterized only by inflammation of the interdental part of the mucosa and gingival mucosa, which, with proper care, can be easily blocked, as well as preventing the transition of inflammation to more complex forms.

Timely visiting a periodontist and following all his recommendations will help to avoid complications and the development of the disease. The only thing that can be noted even at the level of theory is that the choice, quality and cleanliness of teething toys must be approached extremely responsibly and competently.

Periodontitis

The next disease after gingivitis, due to which red gums can be observed in a child, is periodontitis. Unfortunately, this is a much more dangerous and complex form of edema, which, in addition to inflammation on the gums, is characterized by the presence of tartar, the formation of an abnormal periodontal pocket and resorption of bone height.

Periodontitis affects children at an older age than gingivitis. However, the consequences of the disease are many times worse. Periodontitis threatens to lose teeth and destroy all periodontal tissues.

The cause of this pathological process is primarily superficial cleaning of the teeth, which leads to the formation of tartar and the accumulation of bacteria. Therefore, if you notice red gums in a child and the smell of rot from the mouth, then you should immediately contact a specialist to solve this problem even in the early stages of its manifestation.

Larger prerequisites for the occurrence of periodontitis include deformation of the frenulum in the mouth,mechanical damage to the oral cavity and deformation of the jaw, which most often entails surgical intervention.

In any case, periodontitis is a pathology that cannot be cured at home, and therefore you should urgently consult a doctor.

Periodontosis

Periodontosis is considered the end stage of gum disease. It is faced by people who are negligent about their he alth and do not monitor the condition of the mucous membranes. This is a neglected inflammation of the gums, which, along with concomitant factors, has led to the complete destruction of tissues and bones.

Pronounced sensitivity of teeth to temperature changes, bare roots, bleeding gums and neglected tartar - these are the symptoms that a patient experiences with insufficient oral hygiene and advanced gingivitis sometime in childhood.

That is why all dentists recommend timely visits to the dentist's office and proper oral care, as once reddened gums that do not cause discomfort can lead to serious complications, up to tooth loss.

Stomatitis as a cause of gum inflammation in a baby

Along with gingivitis, stomatitis is a common cause of reddening of the gums in a child. In medicine, it is interpreted as an inflammation of the oral mucosa, which has a fungal or viral nature. Stomatitis manifests itself in the form of small festering whitish wounds all over the baby's mouth, and with progression, the wounds become covered with plaque.

Stomatitis is more often a childhood disease, and thereforered gums in a child at 2 years old can be explained by the occurrence of this particular disease. Fortunately, today pharmacists and doctors have invented a lot of ointments and medicines that heal these wounds. They can be used provided that the nature of the occurrence of ulcers is identified.

Remember that purulent wounds on the mucosa are just a consequence of the appearance of an infection in the body, and therefore if the child has red gums and a temperature that, as a concomitant symptom, ranges up to 38 degrees, then you should definitely undergo a full course of treatment to eliminate the cause of stomatitis.

Symptoms related to gum redness

Trouble doesn't come alone, as they say. That is why it is foolish to talk only about reddening of the gums. This process never happens on its own. Having diagnosed red gums in a child, you can also note:

• nasty rotten smell from baby's mouth;
• visible tissue destruction;
• bleeding at the roots;
• lethargy and drowsiness;
• changes in the child's behavior, loss of appetite, and so on.

More disturbing and dangerous symptoms include red gums and a fever that causes fever, chills and occasional migraines.

Red gum treatment

In the tactics of treating inflammation of the gums, first of all, it is necessary to identify the nature of the edema and the disease that caused this disease. In any case, you need to consult a pediatrician and a dentist who will prescribe you a medication or prophylactictreatment.

At home, parents can relieve the pain of inflammation in a child with various herbal rinses, such as chamomile, black tea, calendula, sea buckthorn, etc.

With the help of honey, you can lubricate inflammation and thereby soften tissues. Rinsing with a solution of baking soda, light solutions of Miramistin or Chlorhexidine also helps a lot. These funds have antimicrobial effects, and therefore, along with the removal of redness, restore the microflora of the mucous membrane.

If redness is associated with teething in babies, choose a quality and soft silicone teether for it. This material will relieve itching and burning of the mucosa, as well as speed up the process of teeth appearing.

Prevention and advice

Note that treating and getting rid of a problem is much more difficult than preventing it. Monitor the quality of cleaning your child's teeth and oral cavity, his diet and lifestyle. Do not allow sharp and large objects to enter the mouth and organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Encourage your child to visit the dentist every six months, even if there are no urgent and visible reasons.