What does redness and swelling of a child's gums indicate?
Disease description:
The baby has been crying nonstop for the past few days and frequently rubbing his gums with his hands. Upon checking, the gums appear red and swollen. What could be causing a child's gums to become red and swollen?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Jingjin
Swollen and red gums in children may be caused by factors such as periodontitis or gingivitis. Periodontitis may result from unclean toothbrushes, with tartar, food debris, and dental plaque accumulating near the gums, triggering local inflammation that leads to redness, swelling, overgrowth, bleeding, and even pus discharge. Treatment includes ultrasonic teeth cleaning and periodontal scaling. Gingivitis usually occurs secondary to viral or bacterial infections, such as those accompanying a cold in infants. Because infants often have habits like sucking their fingers or inadequate tooth brushing, they are prone to developing gingivitis.
