Protecting periodontal health in childhood prevents irreversible damage

Gum diseases are underestimated and suffer from a great lack of social awareness, even though gingivitis massively affects the child population. During the congress of the Spanish Society of Periodontology and Osseointegration, held this week in Granada, various experts have warned about the need to take early measures to prevent periodontitis.

To combat this situation, it is advised to establish healthy habits from an early age. Agustín Casas, a master in Periodontology and Implants from the Complutense University of Madrid, warns that “preventing our children from developing periodontal diseases in their adulthood should be one of the clearest preventive goals.”

The basis of prevention includes brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, supervised by parents until adolescence. Moreover, “dietary counseling is extremely important, not only in reducing sugar intake but also in modifying dietary patterns and behaviors by reducing ultra-processed foods.” Finally, it is urged to visit the dentist at least once a year, as “what a child learns about oral health will stick with them for life.”

A new development in this scenario is a consensus document from the European Federation of Periodontology and the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry that classifies these conditions in minors. “Among the consensus conclusions is the prevalence of childhood gingivitis, estimated at 54%,” he explains. The expert emphasizes that this is “an inflammatory lesion of the gum caused by the interaction between a dental biofilm that begins to become dysbiotic, and the host's inflammatory response.”

Experts point out that this pathology is a warning sign, but they celebrate that “it is reversible; that is, if we detect it in time and act, we can prevent future periodontal problems. That's why it is so valuable at early ages: it is a unique preventive opportunity.” On the other hand, periodontitis affects less than 2% of healthy youths, but it destroys tissue and its risk increases in patients with systemic diseases.