Abstract
Pediatric population experiences a wide array of gingival and periodontal
diseases. Studies have shown that gingivitis is almost universally prevalent among
pediatric patients. However, lesser attention is given to periodontitis in children owing
to the shorter life span of primary dentition. Periodontal assessment must be
incorporated into the routine oral examination of the child since prompt diagnosis plays
a crucial role in successfully managing periodontal conditions. Severe periodontal
disease may also occur among children with concomitant systemic conditions.
Therefore, the presence of a destructive periodontal condition may serve as an early
indicator of an underlying systemic condition, and the dentist may be the first to notice
such a condition. Hence, a thorough medical evaluation should be performed for
children exhibiting severe periodontitis, especially for cases that appear resistant to
therapy, to determine the systemic causes of the condition. Although at present, there is
increased awareness regarding periodontal health and treatment modalities, it is
restricted to adults with a negligible focus on children. Intraoral assessment of children
is cecentredroundan examination of hard tissues with minimal focus on the health of
soft tissue. Hence, this chapter enlightens various gingival and periodontal conditions
and the importance of overall health during childhood.