Periostitis in children

Periostitis is widely known also under its other common name - flux. The word fluss came to us from the German language, which is used to refer to a stream or current. It very accurately and accurately reflects the essence of the disease. Periostitis in children is characterized by a very rapid and wide spread of purulent masses through the tissues due to acute or chronic inflammatory processes in the periosteum of the jaws, under which a subaccessory abscess is formed.

In its etiology, periostitis can have a connection with dental diseases, in particular arise as a result of inflammation of the surrounding tissue of the tissues or the active stage of chronic dental infections. In this case, periostitis is a disease of odontogenic nature. Clinical manifestations of periostitis are expressed in serous, acute, purulent and chronic forms. In addition, it can be caused by non-pediatric, traumatic factors. On this basis, it is very important to determine in a timely manner the symptoms that characterize periostitis in children and immediately consult a doctor to localize the disease and prevent possible complications.

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Causes of periostitis in children

The causes of periostitis in children can be described as follows. One of the most common factors that cause infection of the jaws are the teeth, affected, whatever, especially chronic inflammatory diseases. The neglected condition and untimely treatment of sick teeth can cause the infection to eventually spread to the jaws and other parts of the face. Therefore, regular preventive examinations of children's teeth by the dentist and carrying out in case of need of medical measures, in spite of the fact that the teeth are dairy, are so important, and eventually fall out themselves. Periostitis in some cases can be triggered by traumatic effects or extensive wounds of the soft tissues of the face, when pathogens spread to healthy areas from damaged areas.

The causes of periostitis in children include such a specific factor as the spread of infection from the inflammatory foci in the body through the blood and lymph vessels. Mostly this cause of periostitis occurs in cases of tonsillitis and all sorts of childhood infectious diseases. The activation and development of the inflammatory process is also due to a decrease in immunity, recently suffered from colds - sore throat, flu, etc., hypothermia, overwork, stress.

[6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11]

Symptoms of periostitis in children

To determine the symptoms of periostitis in children, it is necessary first of all to pay attention to the fact that the onset of this disease is indicated by the appearance of edema in the focus of inflammation. Gums around the affected tooth in a short time significantly increases its volume, which is accompanied by a strong permanent pain. After a few days, there is an abscess under the periosteum, which in turn provokes swelling of the cheek on the side from which the inflammation has begun. The area of inflammation can include lips, areas under the jaw and under the eye socket, the location is determined by the location of the affected tooth. Painful sensations also occur in the area of the temples, eyes and ears.

Symptoms of periostitis in children are characterized by an increase in temperature to 38 ^o C, swelling, and general malaise. In some cases, a spontaneous dissection of the abscess occurs, accompanied by the release of a large amount of purulent exudate. At the same time, the intensity of inflammation decreases for a while, but soon the inflammatory processes become active again. The most common complication is the involvement of soft facial tissues or the bone in the infected areas, which can cause the development of osteomyelitis.

Odontogenic periostitis in children

Odontogenic periostitis in children is a consequence of inflammatory processes in the gum of the affected tooth, which have a chronic dental infection as a prerequisite. Odontogenicity in this case indicates the source and cause of infection in the periosteum. This disease mainly occurs in the spring and autumn season in children aged 4-5 years. Odontogenic periostitis can develop as a complication against a background of chronic acute and aggravated periodontitis and be provoked by microflora, which is mainly found in periodontium, penetrating there through the dental canal. In addition, there is a possibility of its manifestation due to osteomyelitis, difficult dentition and periodontal diseases. Odontogenic periostitis in children stands out as an independent nosological form of periostitis and can sometimes act as a concomitant aspect of some forms of inflammation in the tooth pulp. In his escort there is also acute periodontitis in all forms, in addition to its causes include festering in the cyst of the root of the tooth. Proceeding from the fact that it is localized, whether it is in the alveolar processes or the jaws of the upper jaw, or in the lower jaw (alveolar process, branch, edge), it has certain specific features of the course of the disease.

Acute purulent periostitis in children

Acute purulent periostitis in children can take place as a complication of acute serous periostitis, which in turn arises against a background of chronic acute or exacerbated periodontitis. The period in the life of the child, in which the disease mainly occurs, is determined by the age of 6-8 years. Its peculiarity is the accumulation of purulent masses in the form of abscesses in the subperiosteal region. There is swelling of the soft tissues of the face, in the areas of accumulation of pus associated with the foci, their densification, infiltration is observed. It is accompanied by an increase in body temperature to a level of 38-38.5 C and neutrophilic leukocytosis. The tooth infected with infection becomes mobile, lymphadenitis can develop, blood composition changes occur, in particular, the levels of leukocytes and ESR increase. In many cases, there are signs of severe intoxication. The general condition in young children may vary from medium to severe in severity. If it is not timely to consult a specialist for the purpose of appropriate treatment, there is a risk that acute purulent periostitis in children will pass to the stage of acute odontogenic osteomyelitis and become a prerequisite for phlegmon, abscess.

[12], [13], [14]

Periostitis of the jaws in children

Jaws in children often occur as a consequence of caries accompanied by all sorts of complications, or pulpitis of the tooth - inflammation of the bundle of vessels and nerves that feed the tooth. The periostitis of the jaw can also occur due to the fact that there are injuries to the jaw (fractures) or soft tissues in the oral cavity. In children, infection causing the development of this disease occurs by transporting the infection through the lymphatic or circulatory system. The risk factor is the presence of infectious diseases, tonsillitis, tonsillitis, etc. One of the earliest symptoms by which it is possible to determine the periostitis of the jaw in children is the growing edema of the soft tissues surrounding the diseased tooth, accompanied by pain. If you do not start treatment within a short time, the inflammation spreads to the periosteum, under which a build-up of pus begins to form. Depending on the location of the affected tooth edema can be localized on the neck, in the eye or lip area. At the same time, the intensity of pain is constantly increasing. The pain may decrease if there is a spontaneous dissection of the abscess through the mucous membrane in the oral cavity. However, the course of the disease does not stop there.

Diagnosis of periostitis in children

Diagnosis of periostitis in children is a task that requires a specialist of high level of competence and assumes great responsibility. Difficulties in diagnosing are that periostitis for a number of features is very similar to acute odontogenic osteomyelitis. The degree of similarity is such that in some cases, in order to confirm the diagnosis as accurately as possible, an incisional biopsy is required - taking a fragment of live tissues of the affected area for subsequent examination under a microscope. In addition to this method, the diagnosis of periostitis in children is reduced to an analysis of the following factors. The presence of a carious tooth, which caused the spread of infection, is determined; swollen or bulging transitional fold; The mucous membrane in the zone of 1-2 adjacent teeth is hyperemic or edematous; the pathological focus is localized only on one side of the jawal alveolar process (usually on the threshold of the oral cavity); the identification of a fluctuation symptom that indicates the destruction of the periosteal part and that the pus spreads under the mucous membrane. Occasionally acute periostitis causes the development of an inflammatory infiltrate in the facial soft tissues. The infiltration tends to persist even after a few days after the patient tooth has been removed, which can be misleading in the diagnosis.

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Treatment of periostitis in children

Treatment of periostitis in children requires an urgent appeal to a specialist. As a result of self-healing, pain can go away and relief may come on for a time. However, this does not mean that the problem is completely solved and the disease has finally receded. In fact, the longer inaction, the more it becomes more intense, having lost some visible manifestations and moving into a latent phase, which is an even greater danger. To achieve its maximum effectiveness and to avoid complications and relapses in the future, treatment should be performed according to the recommendations of the pediatric dentist.

Therapeutic measures in most cases is reduced to the fact that the tooth causing infection is removed or the endodontic treatment is applied to it, in order to prevent infection of the periosteum in the future. A competent doctor who has at his disposal a large toolkit and a wide range of medicines will prescribe the drug that, with the least harm to the child's health, will help get rid of pain symptoms. As a result of using arsenic, the pain in the destroyed nerve will go away and it can be removed without hindrance. In the next stage, the treatment of periostitis in children consists in the appointment of antibacterial therapy, the intensity of which is selected based on the degree of the disease. Traditionally, it is advisable to use antibiotics, physiotherapy procedures, iontophoresis, ultrasound therapy and laser therapy. A diet with a plentiful drink is also prescribed, excluding hard and tough foods, salty and spicy dishes.

Prevention of periostitis in children

Prevention of periostitis in children is now a very urgent issue. After all, the lower age threshold of dental diseases is getting smaller and smaller, and the kids face many dental problems almost from the moment the first tooth cuts through. In addition, compared with adults, children have a much greater sensitivity to pain and it is much more difficult to bear negative feelings. Since the treatment of periostitis requires an integrated approach and involves a significant expenditure of time, strength and parental nerves. Not to mention the financial side of the problem. Therefore, of course, it makes sense to make efforts to take a number of preventive measures, because it is easier to prevent periostitis than to treat it.

So, the prevention of periostitis in children consists of a combination of the following factors. One of the first and most important aspects of a child's dental health is the balanced diet of a woman preparing to become a mother. This contributes to the proper formation of the teeth of the unborn child. Further, it should not be forgotten that dental health largely affects the overall positive state of the child's body and the well-being of the baby. An important is the correct diet of the baby. He should also be taught from the earliest age to hygiene of teeth and oral cavity, and regularly led to preventive examinations to the children's dentist.

Prognosis of periostitis in children

The prognosis of periostitis in children in the case of timely diagnosis and immediate start of treatment in general seems favorable. It is very important to establish an accurate diagnosis, determine the stage and severity of the disease, and the appointment of appropriate treatment. Proceeding from this, a method of treatment is chosen - conservative or operative. The first is the use of anti-inflammatory drugs of the non-steroid group, which contribute to reducing the degree of inflammation and bring it closer to the recovery stage. A positive result of the surgical intervention is that by means of the installed drainage a free outflow of purulent masses from the affected area is ensured. In the event that periostitis is caused by inflammatory processes in the diseased tooth, it is removed.

A favorable prognosis of periostitis in children is due to the combination of a correctly diagnosed diagnosis with appropriate treatment. As a result of self-medication, some relief of the condition may occur, and swelling can come off as a result of an abscess that has opened up. However, it is not necessary, based only on these facts, immediately interrupt treatment, because the disease can go into a chronic form and cause all sorts of complications.