I have always been an avid hockey player, and my love took a bad turn one day when I got struck in the mouth with the puck. It was a painful moment that left me with two teeth knocked out of my mouth. Had I taken the right steps after the accident, I could have possibly saved the teeth, but I did not know I had that option at the time. Thankfully, I worked up the courage to visit a dentist and ask what my options for teeth-replacement were. I was worried I would would have to live the rest of my life without smiling, but I was ecstatic to learn that I was the perfect candidate for dental implants. I created this blog to help others realize that there are so many options to replace missing teeth today that no one has to "just live with" an imperfect smile!
When you're pregnant, nearly every system in your body goes through changes in order to accommodate your growing baby. This includes your mouth! As your pregnancy progresses, you're likely to notice a few changes in your oral health. Here's how to deal with them safely and effectively.
An Increase In Plaque
You know what plaque is – that sticky, white stuff that builds up on your teeth by the end of the day and is removed with brushing. As your pregnancy progresses, you may notice more of it. This is because when you're pregnant, hormone changes can alter the pH of your mouth, making it more hospitable to the bacteria that make and comprise the plaque.
The best way to deal with plaque while pregnant is simply to brush your teeth more often. Carry your toothbrush in your purse, and use it after each meal. This way, you won't have to deal with that sticky feeling – or the increased risk of cavities that comes with having plaque hanging out on your teeth all day.
Bleeding Gums
When you brush and floss, you may notice that your gums bleed more easily. This is caused, in part, by an increased blood volume during pregnancy, which may enlarge your capillaries and make them more sensitive to pressure. It may also be caused by gingivitis (gum disease) which can come on quite easily during pregnancy for the same reasons increased plaque starts to appear.
Brushing your teeth more often will help fight gum disease and the bleeding it causes. However, you'll also want to rinse your mouth with salt water several times per day. This will suck extra moisture out of your gums, making them less prone to bleeding, while also killing off the bacteria that causes gum disease.
Pregnancy Tumors
Between 1 and 5% of women get these, so they may or may not appear during your pregnancy. They are harmless, bump-like growths that may appear on the gum line, often during the second or third trimester. They are typically red or purple in color and range from a few millimeters across to an inch across.
Pregnancy tumors are caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy. Taking good care of your teeth (brushing and flossing) helps reduce your risk. If you notice one of these growths on your gums, don't panic, but do call your dentist. He or she will ensure that it is a pregnancy tumor and not a dangerous growth of some sort. If the tumor is very sore, your dentist may remove it. Otherwise, it should go away on its own after you give birth. To learn more, speak with someone like Kyle J Frisinger DMD.
Share15 January 2016
