Periodontitis is an inflammation of the periodontium, the tissue that supports the teeth and holds them in the jawbone. The disease is caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms include gum bleeding and bad breath. The remedies to treat it are varied, but one of the issues that has arisen is whether it can be passed on from parents to children.
This question has been answered by researchers from the University of Campinas in Brazil. In their study, they come to a clear conclusion: the need for prevention and follow-up treatment from early childhood to avoid their development, because it has been observed that it can be transmitted from parents to children.
Adults with periodontitis transmit bacteria that can cause the disease in the future to their children. These remain in the oral cavity even when children undergo treatments of various kinds, they note in their research, published in Scientific Reports.
Care from infancy onwards
The oral microbiome of parents is a determinant of their children’s subgingival microbial colonization, the authors of the article say in their conclusions. In addition, they point out that the dysbiotic microbiota acquired by the children of patients with periodontitis at an early age is resistant to changes, and the structure of the community is maintained even after controlling for the state of hygiene.
The lead researcher, Renato Corra Viana Casarin, who is a professor at the Faculty of Piracicaba Dentistry (FOP) at UNICAMP, says parents should start taking care of the health of their children’s gum health when they are babies.
This pioneering study compares parents with and without periodontitis. In the children of the first group, we find subgingival bacterial colonization at a very young age. However, inheriting the problem does not mean that a child is destined to develop the disease in adulthood. Hence, the importance of being attentive to the smallest signs and seeking specialized help, says this expert.
Stopping the disease during pregnancy
Researchers intend to root out this problem. That’s why, from now on, this group will work with pregnant women in an effort to break the cycle, preventing bacterial colonization of their children’s mouths. We’ll treat mothers during pregnancy, before babies are born, and we’ll try to find out if it’s possible to prevent bacterial colonization from happening, they say.
The treatment for periodontitis includes cleaning the gum pockets around the teeth by a dentist or hygienist. Another option to alleviate this disease is the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics, always prescribed by a specialist.
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