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Posts Tagged ‘hygiene’

Dental Health and Pregnancy – What You Need to Know

Friday, February 28th, 2020

Croatian blogger Ella Dvornik recently shared some disturbing images which showed Ella’s gums bleeding profusely – a common side effect of pregnancy.

Ella’s posts prompted a flurry of responses from women who had suffered similar effects while pregnant. They highlighted the need for proper dental care during those crucial nine months.

Let’s take a look at some practical advice on the subject.

Diet

Ella’s condition is known as pregnancy gingivitis.  It’s usually the result of hormonal changes which lead to an increased build of plaque, in turn causing inflammation, bleeding and other symptoms of gingivitis.

Some specialists recommend increased intake of vitamins K and C to keep gums healthy, and it’s also important to avoid excessively sugary foods – a catalyst for tooth decay and gum disease.

Increasing your calcium intake with plenty of dairy products is also great for the teeth and can also promote the healthy development of your baby’s gums and bones.

Hygiene Routine

During pregnancy – and especially when living with the unpleasant symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis – you may be tempted to skimp on your usual daily dental routine.

But it’s actually more important than ever to keep things ticking along with daily brushing and flossing as usual.

You may also find that gargling with salt water relieves some of the symptoms – but remember not to swallow!

Visit Your Dentist 

Advice on dental treatment during pregnancy depends on how far along your pregnancy is. The good news is that you can still visit your dentist, although it’s best to let them know you’re expecting – even if you haven’t yet told your nearest and dearest.

Dentists will generally limit the treatments carried out during pregnancy to routine checkups and hygiene, only performing more complex work when absolutely necessary. That’s especially true during the first trimester when your baby’s vital organs begin to develop. 

If you do need treatment during this early stage, your dentist may recommend postponing treatment until around the third trimester.

Though generally considered safe, cosmetic treatments like whitening should be avoided altogether during pregnancy.

Sore Tooth? What You Can Do Right Now To Help

Tuesday, February 21st, 2017

shutterstock_566092438Are you suffering with dental pain? Have you had a sore tooth for a while? If so, here are some things you can do right now to help.

Book an appointment with your dentist

Sometimes, toothache comes and goes, but it can often be a sign of something a little more serious. Tooth pain may be caused by damage to the tooth, decay or infection. If you’ve experienced heightened sensitivity or you’ve noticed that the tooth is very painful when you bite down, this may indicate that you’ve got a cavity. When you see your dentist, they will have a good look at the tooth, and they can discuss treatment options with you. It’s always best to get aches and pains checked out. Often, treating problems early prevents the situation from getting worse, and it’ll save you from suffering any longer.

Maintain good oral hygiene

If you’ve got a sore tooth, you may be tempted to swerve cleaning your teeth, but don’t. If you neglect brushing your teeth, you’ll have a higher risk of developing dental complications, and the affected tooth will get worse. Call your dentist and make an appointment, and in the meantime, make an effort to keep your teeth as clean as possible.

Take painkillers

If you have toothache, you can take over the counter painkillers to ease discomfort. If you’re not sure what to take, call us for advice or ask a pharmacist. Always follow dosage instructions, and double check with a pharmacist if you’re already taking medication or you have underlying health issues. Taking medication should always be a short-term solution, and it shouldn’t be an alternative to seeking advice from your dentist.

If you’ve got painful teeth, call us now, and we’ll do our best to have you fighting fit again in no time.