A current case study discussed how over-sized gums in children might be a possible indicator of leukemia.

Occasionally for a dentist, it can be tough to properly diagnose a patient’s problem solely based on what is happening in their mouth alone. Because of this, dentists should think about causes outside of the patient’s mouth when diagnosing an issue. They should consider looking into the medical background of their patient, in addition to those of their family members, when making a diagnosis.

An explanation of Leukemia

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects blood cells and impairs an individual’s body’s immune system. Leukemia causes the body to make an abundance of irregular white blood cells which do not behave properly and fewer of the type of blood cells which convey oxygen or allow blood clotting. Death from this disease is often due to infection or the body’s inability to stop wounds from bleeding.

Dentistry Today reports that dentists are typically the ones who initiate the diagnosis of 33% of individuals with myelomonocytic leukemia as well as 25% of those with myelogenous leukemia.

As a parent, should you be concerned?

Often the early indications of leukemia include swelling or bleeding gums, or gingivitis. In severe cases, the gums might actually enlarge to the extent where the gums begin to conceal the crowns. Other things to be aware of include a feeling of weakness and inexplicable loss of weight.

How should leukemia be treated?

In addition to bone marrow transplants and blood transfusions, the most productive way of treating leukemia is chemotherapy. These treatments can help with the swollen gums as well.

Visit the Everyday Health website for tips for caring for your mouth for individuals with leukemia.

While having enlarged gums does not immediately indicate a child has leukemia it is essential to be mindful of the chance when seeking causal reasons. Enlarged gums might also be the result of other factors such as puberty-based gingivitis, menstrual cycle-associated gingivitis, Crohn’s illness, lymphoma, ascorbic acid deficiency, neurofibromatosis, and a lot more.

Give your doctor or Dr. Nichols at Apexx Dental Care a phone call if your child might have abnormally big gum tissue so an appropriate medical evaluation can be carried out.