No doubt, pregnancy comes with a lot of responsibility and watchfulness.

Besides the common issues such as alcohol abstention and regular antenatal exercises, not many people consider oral hygiene. Did you know poor teeth care can affect your unborn child?

This article isn’t aimed at scaring you, but mainly to keep you informed about having a healthier pregnancy. The more you know, the healthier you and your child will be.

According to Dental Experts from Wood Borough House, changes in hormone levels, as a result of pregnancy, can increase the risk of oral health problems. “There are gum diseases, and commonly, small rounded raised parts of the gums referred to as pregnancy tumours”. Don’t worry, this is not malignant and can be corrected by a quick visit to your dentist.

The following should keep you wary of your oral hygiene during pregnancy.

• Build-up of plaque and its implications

Plaque is formed from food substances that accumulate on the teeth. Improper teeth care can lead to the build-up of plaque. If it isn’t removed, it can result in gingivitis- a red swelling condition that leaves gums feeling puffy.

Pregnancy gingivitis, as it is called, affects many expectant mothers to some extent, and becomes more obvious in the second month. The condition worsens during pregnancy, if you already had gingivitis. If left untreated, it could escalate to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease.

Pregnant women often experience non-cancerous growths or swollen gums when they (gums) are irritated. Normally, these ‘pregnancy tumours’ are left alone and shrink after pregnancy, but when they become uncomfortable and interfere with other activities such as chewing or brushing, a dentist can remove it.

• How do you avoid these problems?

Gingivitis is easily avoidable by maintaining a good oral hygiene. Keep your teeth clean, especially around the gumline. Ensure you brush with fluoride toothpaste at least two times every day, and after each meal if possible. You should also floss carefully; beware of hurting your gums.

Some women experience morning sickness when they brush. If this happens, gargle your mouth with anti-plaque and fluoride mouthwash solutions. Eat a good balanced diet rich in vitamin C and B12. They help maintain a healthy oral cavity.

Having a dentist frequently clean your teeth will help control plaque and avoid gingivitis. Plaque control will also reduce gum irritation and reduce chances of having pregnancy tumours.

• Gingivitis and risks to unborn baby’s health.

There are studies that have linked preterm, low-birthweight in babies and gingivitis. If your gum is infected by bacteria, excessive amounts may enter the blood stream and swim to other parts of the body including the unborn foetus.

When this happens, it can trigger the secretion of chemicals known as prostaglandins. They are suspected to cause premature labour in pregnant women. To avoid infecting your child during pregnancy, endeavour to care for your teeth and practice a good oral hygiene. See a dentist immediately you observe any issues with your teeth or gums.

• How often should you see a dentist?

If you are planning towards becoming pregnant or you suspect you are, do see a dentist straightaway. Conversely, you can organise a check-up for cleaning in your first trimester. The dentist will assess your condition and set up a dental plan for the rest of your pregnancy.

It is also advisable to see a dentist again during your second trimester for cleaning, monitoring changes and assessing the effectiveness of your oral hygiene. Depending on the patient or condition, another appointment may be set for the third trimester. But the appointments should be quick as possible.

With a well-maintained oral hygiene, you will have a hassle-free pregnancy and a healthy baby.

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You are as healthy as what you eat. Health here signifies your general wellbeing. You owe yourself a great degree of self-care by being mindful of the things you eat.

Making a habit of eating balanced diet makes it possible for your body to get the right amount of nutrients needed for a good health. If your body is low in any form of nutrients, your mouth may take the fall resulting in infection. An example is when you have bleeding gums because your body is low on Vitamins.

“20070310-2” by saotin is licensed under CC BY 2.0

How your Diet Affects your Oral Health

Gum disease and tooth decay are immediate consequences of an unbalanced diet.

If your diet is high in carbohydrates and sugar, you will be susceptible to having tooth decay that is as a result of accumulated plaque acids that attack the tooth enamel.

Starchy foods and sugar build up plaque acids that cause the enamel to break down, ultimately leading to developing cavities.

“Dentist” by Melissa Clark is licensed under CC BY 2.0

For your oral health, you need to cut down on your intake of sweetened fruit drinks, sugar loaded sodas or foods with excessive added sugar. Most of our food today contains some form of sugar.

The responsibility rests upon you to check the label to be sure that the sugar in the products you consume are not excessive.

Much as you are trying to avoid consuming the bad stuff, it is worthy of mention that these foods may have some other nutritional value that is equally important.

Carbohydrate and sugar are not the only factors that may affect your oral health; you may also suffer tooth loss as a result of imbalanced diet. If your diet lacks certain nutritional elements, it may speed up periodontal disease, especially in adults.

Foods that are Beneficial To your Oral Health

The good news is cavity can be prevented and you may also avoid getting gum disease or suffering tooth loss if you adopt the right kind of nutritional lifestyle.

“Dairy Cow” by U.S. Department of Agriculture is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Below is a list of foods that you should consider adding to your diet that are sure to promote good oral health:

• Cheese; a study carried out by researchers shows that the ph level of the mouth increases when cheese is consumed, thereby protecting the teeth from acid that may result in cavities.
• Dairy; dairy products are naturally high in calcium and vitamin D which help is strengthening the teeth and bones generally. They also prevent tooth decay. Remember to check the labels on the products you consume so as not to consume a lot of added sugar used in preparing some of these products.
• Vitamin C; this strengthens the immune system and also protects you from gum disease and bacterial infection.
• Vegetables and Fruits; asides from some parts of this group being a good source of vitamin C, eating raw vegetables also act as good cleaning tool for the mouth. This helps in cleaning plaque. Vegetables are also very high in water and fibre; both of which are good for general well-being.

“fruits and vegetables” by Jerome Bon is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Conclusion:

Toothaches can be very painful and it is always better to prevent it.

Be more deliberate in your diet. Increase your intake of vegetables and fruits.

Replace unhealthy snacks with healthier ones such as cheese and snacks.

Avoid food with high sugar content and also avoid sticky food which may stay on the teeth for much longer, creating cavities.

A well balanced diet habit helps maintain a good oral health as well as overall wellness.

Never skip your regular dental check-ups.

There is nothing as beautiful as a great smile. If you have already suffered some tooth loss for whatever reason or you are suffering from any form of tooth related issues, you should speak to the dentists over at TigerSmile  Dental today.

Like all other aspects of paediatric health, paediatric dental health is dicey. It is easy to get it wrong and leave your child in danger of suffering as a result of aggravation of emergency situations. If the emergency situation occurred during work hours, a visit to the dentist would address any problems. During off-peak hours on the other hand, the onus lies on you as the parent to ensure your child gets adequately taken care of. This piece takes a look at top tips you can work with to effectively handle paediatric dental emergencies.

Handling Broken or Fractured Tooth

If you suspect that your child has chipped or broken tooth, rinse the mouth with warm water and use compress to counter swelling. Find the fragment and book an appointment with your dentist instantly.

Handling Knocked Out Baby Tooth

Rinse the child’s mouth with water and reduce swelling using cold compresses. “This is all you can do at this point because baby teeth cannot be replanted without risking damage to developing permanent teeth” says Dr. Neil Oza at Advanced Dental Concept. “Comfort the child and see your dentist immediately to properly handle the child’s discomfort and prevent infection”.

Handling Knocked Out Permanent Tooth

When face with the emergency of knocked out permanent tooth, the first step to take is to find the tooth, rinse it gently with cool water. Avoid using soap or scrubbing and do not touch the root of the tooth. Hold it by the crown only (the white part). Put the tooth back in the socket and hold it in place with clean wash cloth. Can’t put it back? Don’t panic. Place the tooth in a clean container bathed in milk or the child’s saliva. Do not put it in water. See your dentist as soon as possible after you’ve done this first part.

Dealing with Broken Jaw

Use a cold compress to reduce the swelling if you suspect that your child has sustained a broken jaw. Call your doctor immediately because a broken jaw could be as a result of a strong fall or blow to the head. Such strong blows to the head can be dangerous and ultimately life threatening.

Dealing with Object Stuck In Teeth

Does your child have something stuck between his or her teeth?  Dental floss is enough to gently remove it.  Do not use sharp tools in your child’s teeth; metal or plastic. If a dental floss isn’t enough to remove the object, allow a dentist to handle the situation.

How to Avoid Paediatric Dental Emergencies

The first step is to ensure your house is child-proof to avoid falls. Be watchful to ensure they don’t eat any hard foods or chew on ice. Older children should always use seat belts and young children should be placed in car seats. If your child plays contact sport, get bespoke mouth-guard from your dentist to protect the teeth. Don’t forget to check for injuries when they return after each session.