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Pregnancy and Your Teeth

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There has been a lot said on the health of teeth and gums while pregnant. As a result of major hormone fluctuations, a pregnant woman is at a higher risk of dental complications. However, that isn’t to say that she should just face gum disease or tooth decay as a normal part of motherhood. There is much that can be done to defend against these problems and to maintain a healthy smile throughout the nine months and beyond.

The first and most important step to staying healthy, whether one is aiming for general physical health or tooth and gum health, is to consume a well-balanced diet. It is said over and over again for a host of health-related reasons and there is good reason for that. Maintaining a healthy balance of vitamins and nutrients allows the body to work at its optimum level, and that means that the mouth will be more effective at staving off decay and disease. So, opt for foods high in calcium as well as vitamins A, C, and D, which all help with oral health.

In addition to the healthy diet, this is the most important time to be vigilant about dental care. Continue seeing the dentist at regular intervals and at home, do your best to keep the mouth clean and cared for. However, most major dental procedures will likely be put off until the baby is born. During the third trimester, there is a danger of premature labor when visiting the dentist’s office. This is a result of the position of the chair and the added pressure placed on sensitive blood vessels, thus it will likely be advised that you push the appointment back until after the baby is born.

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Healthy Gums and Heart: Let Your Food Work For You

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Researchers are beginning to make a startling discovery regarding dental health. It seems that it isn’t just your pearly whites that can be affected when you skip that nighttime brushing or fail to schedule that next dentist visit. Did you know that it has been found that gum disease sufferers are two or three times as likely to contract heart disease? The leading killer in this country has a direct link to your mouth, so it might be time to pay more heed to the way you care for your teeth and gums.

The thought that gum health and whole-body health are interrelated is one that has been gaining great popularity in medical circles. Doctors in both fields have been publishing findings that link heart and gum disease, so patients know what they are risking by failing to keep their mouths free of decay and disease.

There are many ways to keep gums healthy, aside from the obvious brushing, flossing, and visits to the dental chair. For instance, eating more raisins has been shown to help because the dried fruits are chock full of bacteria battling antioxidants. They can beat away the harmful microorganisms, which lead to painful inflammation and gum disease. Green tea is also a powerful combatant, as it contains a special antioxidant called catechins. Finally, whole grains can reduce one’s chances of periodontal disease by nearly twenty-five percent. So, rather than reaching for the enriched white bread, you might opt for the whole grain or oat bread, and instead of the white rice, choose the brown. These whole foods break down and release sugars more slowly, which keeps the blood sugar at a more even level, and means reduced chance of gum and heart disease. The most important thing for mouth and heart health is to continue eating and drinking healthily.

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Making Bed Time Brushing Fun for Kids

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It is not a secret that oral health is as important for kids as it is for adults, and there are very few parents who are willing to allow their children’s teeth to rot away or risk horrible infection. Thus, it is important as a parent to find creative ways to make brushing and other dental related activities fun. Though this might seem an impossible task, you should rest assured that it requires very little to make bedtime brushing a favorite part of a child’s routine.

Sing a little song. Music is the way to a child’s heart, so give that toothbrush a musical beat to brush to and you may just find that his or her teeth are suddenly much cleaner than before. Though there are musical toothbrushes on the market that play their own tune, it might be even better to create and sing your very own songs. Consider rewriting classic children’s songs to fit the theme of dental care.

Find a friend. Often tooth brushing is cut short because kids don’t find much entertainment in standing alone in the bathroom. Who can blame them? So rather than sending he or she off to battle plaque alone, consider making brushing a family activity. Who can make the most foam? Who can brush the longest without having to spit? (Do be careful not to encourage swallowing.) Who can sing the loudest while still brushing away the bacteria? Tooth care doesn’t have to be boring, and you might just find that you do a better job as well, when you have an entertaining companion.

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Maintaining Your Smile: Three Important Tips

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It’s beautiful! It glows! It’s often the first thing that greets the world. So, why wouldn’t you want to do all that you can to protect your smile from damaging plaques, bacteria, and other harmful substances? It doesn’t have to be time consuming or a cumbersome job at all. A few small changes to your day to day life will likely make a world of difference inside your mouth.

The first thing to understand about the teeth and gums is that they typically require more than the regular brushing and flossing. While this is a very essential first step in the defense against decay and disease, there is more that can and should be done to ensure your dental health. After all, with brushing and flossing alone, you may be surprised to find that you end up with cavities or even gum disease anyway.

At any given moment in this country, it is thought that seventy-five percent of the population is suffering from some degree of gum disease. Yet, there are simple and easy ways to defend against its onset. For instance, chewing gum regularly is a great combatant. Though the teachers might yell, gum containing a natural sugar called xylitol has been shown to be an excellent defense against compounding bacteria and plaque. Also helpful are pH balanced mouthwashes, which should be used after meals or snacks containing high amounts of acid. Remember the acid often comes from the beverage choice rather than the actual food set before you. Acid breaks down tooth enamel, so the regular use of a pH balanced mouthwash can keep teeth safe and protected. Finally, you might consider investing in a mouth irrigation system. Though not commonly discussed, these systems are readily available, and can significantly improve the amount of plaque buildup between dental visits.

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