(EMAILWIRE.COM, March 17, 2011 ) Ottawa, ON - Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is usually associated with adults. But, as Dr. Pamela Li, a Dentist Ottawa, observes, it can occur during childhood or adolescence.

The most common form of gum disease in children is gingivitis and it is usually easy to treat. With adults, gingivitis sometimes precedes periodontitis, a more dangerous condition. That"s why it is vital to identify and treat gingivitis right away. "Periodontitis is uncommon in otherwise healthy kids," explains Li, an Ottawa cosmetic dentist. "However, it's more difficult to eliminate than gingivitis."

The Ottawa Smile Makeover provider notes that second-hand smoke is a common risk factor for gingival disease. A recent study in the 2010 Journal of Clinical Dentistry followed 51 Turkish children whose parents smoked. They discovered elevated levels of gingival disease and gum attachment loss in the children of smokers compared to the control group comprised of 58 children with nonsmoking parents. When adults smoke, periodontal disease is a recognized risk.

A common chronic disease, asthma has been steadily growing among children. A recent study from the 2010 International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry evaluated 64 children with asthma and 50 children without. The asthma group was more likely to experience dental decay and gingivitis than the group without asthma. The study suggested that asthmatic children often breathe through their mouths and that some asthma medicines reduce salivary flow, says the Ottawa Tooth Whitening (http://www.drpamelali.com/invisalign-dentists-ottawa.php) provider.

Li is careful to scrutinize each child patient for indicators of gingivitis or more serious issues. "It isn't unusual to see symptoms of early gum problems, but parents do not need to worry," the dentistry Ottawa provider cautions. "If you identify it early, gingivitis is simple to treat and entirely reversible. But, studies do indicate that a thorough oral care regimen - which includes regular dental visits - is critical for staying on top of the disease and preventing it from becoming more serious."

Learn More:
To learn more about Dr. Pamela Li's dental clinic Ottawa, visit http://www.drpamelali.com/ or call (613) 232-0550.

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Contact Information:
Cosmetic Dentistry Ottawa
Dr. Pamela Li
Tel: 613-232-0550
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