Periodontitis | Dentistry

Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene During Pregnancy

Putting toothpaste on a toothbrush. The toothp...

As you review your pregnancy calendar and plan the steps to take for your baby’s arrival, be sure to give some thought to oral hygiene maintenance. The health of your teeth and gums affects the development of your baby. When you are pregnant, the hormonal make-up of your body changes, making you susceptible to gum disease. Visiting the dentist before and during your pregnancy is an important step.

Avoid Dental Treatments During Pregnancy

Mark on your pregnancy calendar to visit the dentist for regular cleanings to avoid gum disease. However, major dental procedures should be done before or after the delivery of the baby. You want to avoid dental x-rays and medications that may affect your baby’s health.

Practice Good Dental Hygiene

While it’s always a good idea to brush after meals and floss daily, it’s especially important to do so while you’re pregnant. You want to limit the amount of bacteria in your mouth that might lead to gingivitis or gum issues. Be sure to use a soft toothbrush and brush for several minutes each time. Many people do brush their teeth, but do not do so for long enough to remove the bacteria and plaque. Also, choose toothpaste with a bland taste. Flavored toothpastes may exacerbate morning sickness and should be avoided for this reason.

Avoid Sweets

Limiting your intake of sugary snacks and drinks during pregnancy is a good idea for various reasons. It will help you to avoid tooth decay. Limiting these foods in your diet will also make room for eating highly nutritious foods, such as fruits, vegetables and proteins.

Filed Under: Dental care Tagged With: Oral hygiene, Periodontitis, tooth

Are Gum Disease and Heart Disease Linked?

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For years doctors and scientists have debated the possible connection between gum disease and heart disease. There are bits and pieces of evidence that suggest a link, but nothing has yet been scientifically proven.

What is known is that people who do not have gum disease also have lower incidences of heart disease. Some experts think it is possible that people who care for their teeth and gums simply take better care of themselves overall, resulting in a lower incidence of heart disease in these groups. That is to say that people who take the time to brush their teeth and floss may also take the time to eat well and get regular exercise, thereby taking care of their hearts and circulatory systems.

Scientists, doctors and other researchers have reviewed a large amount of existing data from studies, searching for a conclusive link between gum disease and heart disease. They found that gum disease is a risk for heart disease and for clogged arteries in the legs. A study of 50,000 people discovered that people with gum disease were at greater risk for stroke.

There are more links that were uncovered. Several types of bacteria that are common in hardening arteries also cause gum disease. Additionally, one symptom heart disease and gum disease share is inflammation. But what they didn’t find is the “why.”

Experts recommend that people take the time to take care of their teeth and their hearts. Whether or not the two are related, caring for yourself in this way is the smart thing to do. People should talk to their dentists about gum disease and if they have it, get evaluated by a physician for heart disease. Those with heart disease should watch closely for the development of gum disease and if it is found, seek care from a qualified dentist.

Filed Under: Dental care, Dentistry Tagged With: Circulatory system, Conditions and Diseases, Dentistry, Gingivitis, Health, Heart disease, Periodontitis, tooth

Diabetes and Gum Disease

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Most of the millions of people who have diabetes are aware of the common side effects of the disease. Foot problems, heart disease, stroke, kidney issues and eye problems are some of the more well-known issues that can develop in people with diabetes. But did you know that gum disease, or periodontitis, has been found to be more prevalent in diabetes sufferers, too?

Gum disease happens when your gums recede from your teeth, leaving space for all the nasty bacteria to invade. These bacteria cause puss and infection to settle in. If left untreated, the infection eats away at the bone loosening your teeth. They may even become so loose they fall out.

Research shows that the connection between diabetes and gum disease goes both ways. People with diabetes are more likely to get gum disease because they are generally more susceptible to all infections. People with gum disease may be more likely experience a faster progression of diabetes, as there is some evidence that gum disease can affect how well blood glucose is controlled.

If this concerns you, there are some simple things you can do. Take care of yourself by controlling your blood sugar levels and properly caring for your teeth and gums. Brush your teeth after every meal and snack, and floss daily. See your dentist twice a year. When you visit your dentist, make sure he or she knows you have diabetes. They’ll be able to better care for you and will know to look closely for any signs that gum disease might be developing. If you need to have a dental procedure beyond a regular cleaning, make sure your blood sugars are well under control first.

Not only will following these simple steps help keep your mouth healthy and your gums disease free, they will also keep your smile in tip-top shape.

Filed Under: Dental care, Dentistry Tagged With: Blood sugar, Dentistry, Diabetes mellitus, Disease, Gingiva, Infection, Periodontitis, tooth