Oral Home Care

Caregivers should be counseled as to their role in infant oral hygiene. Information and guidance should be made available to plan a daily routine of plaque removal. This can be incorporated into the daily routine at bath time. Gingivitis, the presence of gingival inflammation without bone loss, can occur in children. A color change from pink to red, accompanied by bleeding and a loss of stippling of the gingival tissues, can be noted.

The most common cause of gingivitis is undisturbed, accumulated plaque at the gingival third of the tooth. Gingivitis is reversible. Instituting consistent and thorough daily plaque removal, the gingiva will return to good health.