Periodontal Disease in Children and Adolesents

Periodontal disease is often thought of as a consequence of aging. However, studies have shown that gingivitis, the first stage of periodontal disease, is nearly a universal finding in children and adolescents. Childhood periodontal problems usually occur because of poor oral hygiene habits and genetic predisposition. Diabetes, Down’s syndrome and other medical conditions can also increase the risk for children to develop periodontal disease. In addition, periodontal problems often develop during orthodontics due to poor plaque control and subsequent inflammation.