Prevalence and Correlates of Bleeding Gums and Other Oral Healthcare Problems of Children and Adolescents in the United States

Abstract

Purpose: Gingivitis is one of the most common causes of bleeding gums in children. While most epidemiological studies have focused on small samples, the CDC gathers oral health data through its National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). Whereas the 2011/12 NSCH survey asked collectively whether a child “had a toothache, decayed teeth, or unfilled cavities” within the past 12 months, the 2016 survey asked individually whether the child had frequent or chronic difficulties with toothache, tooth decay or cavities, and – for the first time - also asked if the …