Oral health is one crucial component of overall health, and this is even more true when you’re pregnant. 

Did you know that studies have revealed a connection between periodontitis — also known as gum disease — and premature birth? Gum disease also has been linked to low birthweight. That’s why it’s so important for you to take care of your teeth and gums while you’re expecting. 

How does pregnancy affect your dental health?

The changes in your body you experience during pregnancy can have a big impact on your teeth and gums. One of the most obvious signs of pregnancy is bleeding gums. When you’re pregnant, there’s more blood flowing through your veins, a higher level of acid in your mouth, and a drastic rise in hormones. 

All of these changes can cause problems with your oral health. These issues can include: 

• Gingivitis: Do your gums bleed when you brush? Are your gums red, swollen and/or sore? Then you might have gingivitis. Progesterone, a hormone that is heightened during pregnancy, can lead to gingivitis, so it’s a common occurrence in pregnant women. You’ll need to see a dentist to treat the gingivitis before it gets more serious and turns into periodontitis (gum disease).
• Tooth loss: Just like it causes gingivitis, excess progesterone during pregnancy — along with estrogen — can impact the tissues and bones that keep your teeth intact. If you feel loose teeth while you’re pregnant, this is normal. 
• Periodontitis: If all of the above conditions are heightened to include extreme swelling and infection in your gums and the bones in your mouth, then you could have periodontitis. This is a serious gum disease. It can also cause your teeth to become loose. You’ll need to get this treated immediately. 
• Pregnancy tumors: Tumor sounds like a scary word, but pregnancy tumors are not cancerous, but instead, lumps that form in between teeth — on already swollen gums. The tumors can cause your mouth to bleed. They could be caused by having too much plaque. Flossing will help to eliminate plaque, but if the pregnancy tumors don’t go away on their own, you might end up having them surgically removed after you have your baby. 
• Tooth decay: Tooth decay — or when the enamel that protects your tooth breaks down — is caused by acid in your mouth. Because pregnancy creates higher levels of acid in your mouth, tooth decay is more common among women who are expecting. You’ll have even higher acidity levels if you’re experiencing a lot of morning sickness and vomiting during pregnancy. 

How you can help you and your unborn child

The myth that it’s unsafe to visit your dentist for cleanings or X-rays while you’re pregnant is just that: a myth. Visiting your dentist can be integral in keeping your mouth (and thus your baby) healthy while you’re expecting. 

You should notify your dentist as soon as you know about your pregnancy so he or she can adjust treatment, procedures and medications. The American Pregnancy Association says the second trimester is the usually the best time for minor dental work (i.e. cleaning, fillings).

 

It’s no secret that brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes is imperative to oral health, but did you know that it’s also a factor in heart health? 

Although it hasn’t been proven that poor oral health causes heart disease, or that good oral health prevents heart disease, years of research has shown a definitive connection between the two. 

 

Here’s what we do know about brushing your teeth and heart disease: 

• If you have untreated gum disease, also known as periodontitis, you’re at an increased risk of developing heart disease.

• If you don’t take care of your teeth and mouth, you’re at a higher risk for a bacterial infection, which can enter the bloodstream and subsequently damage your heart valves.

• Scientists have been able to connect tooth loss patterns to coronary artery disease.

• If you have diabetes, your oral health is even more important. Researchers say that people with diabetes can greatly benefit from having healthy teeth and gums.

 

How do bacteria in your mouth impact your heart health? 

There are numerous studies on teeth loss and cardiovascular health, but a more recent study that focused on oral bacteria and heart health had some interesting findings: 

• People in the study who had the kind of bacteria that causes gum disease also had thicker carotid arteries. Researchers believe the thicker your carotid arteries, the greater at risk you are for a heart attack or stroke.

• Of the 682 people studied, people who said they brushed their teeth less than twice a day for two minutes each time had a three-fold increase in their risk for heart disease.

• Scientists believe bacteria get into your bloodstream, then make their way through the rest of your body. This can cause inflammation, which leads to the clogging of your arteries.

• Although it’s quite possible that people who don’t take proper care of their teeth and gums also don’t take proper care of the rest of their body, the study does conclude that gum disease increases patients’ blood pressure and interferes with medications that are prescribed to treat high blood pressure. High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of strokes and heart attacks. 

Despite the limitations of the study, cardiologist Dr. Ann Bolge said the study “is a good reminder that the mouth is an important part of a person’s entire health and simple, daily behaviors that improve health are incredibly important.”

 

How to properly care for your teeth and gums

Whether you’re at a higher risk for heart disease or not, taking care of your teeth and gums is still an essential part of your overall health. Here are the simple steps you can take to have a healthy mouth: 

• Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time you brush.

• Floss in between your teeth daily.

• Schedule twice-yearly cleanings and check-ups with your dentist. 

Click here to schedule your appointment today with Lafayette’s most trusted dentist. 

Summer is approaching and many people are working on their physiques to get into beach body-worthy shape. While folks want to look great in swimwear, having a white smile can boost your attractiveness, too. Your smile says a lot about you including your friendliness and confidence.

Age and exposure to stain-causing foods, beverages, and tobacco will darken our teeth over time. While surface stains can be removed with good oral hygiene and professional dental cleanings, you might need to invest in having a professional teeth whitening treatment to achieve the bright smile you want.

If you want to look great head to toe, consider the following tips for achieving pearly whites.

Commit to a Thorough Oral Hygiene Regimen

It’s true that a proper oral hygiene routine prevents disease. But you might not know that regular brushing and flossing can help you achieve (and maintain) a whiter smile. Brushing and flossing removes plaque, a semi-translucent substance that coats our teeth. Plaque accumulation can make teeth appear dull and yellow.

You should brush at least twice a day and not more than thrice for about two minutes each time. Brushing long enough helps rinse away plaque and leftover debris from food that stains teeth. Even though brushing is pretty effective at cleaning your mouth, it isn’t enough. You should also floss once a day to control plaque development and remove debris that has accumulated between teeth.

You can also use a whitening toothpaste to lighten your teeth a shade or two but keep in mind that store-bought whitening products can only address surface stains. Teeth whitening toothpastes also contain abrasives so they shouldn’t be used for too long.

Schedule a Dental Cleaning

Did you know a dental cleaning can boost the vibrancy of your smile? It’s true. Professional prophylaxis removes surface stains and debris that can make teeth look discolored.

Even if you practice great oral hygiene, you still need a dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar. Having two professional cleanings a year will help keep your teeth looking bright and lustrous.

Quit Smoking

There is a plethora of good reasons to quit smoking and protecting your smile is one of them. Using tobacco—including chewing tobacco—can permanently discolor your teeth. While you’re adopting a healthier lifestyle to rock your summer clothing, consider quitting tobacco, too to boost your health and protect the color of your smile.

Drink Coffee, Tea, and Soda in Moderation

Dark-colored beverages like coffee and soda can lead to permanent tooth stains. Drinking them frequently will cause extrinsic stains that can only be lightened with a professional whitening treatment.

Beyond cutting down your consumption of dark beverages, you can drink clear water afterwards. Water helps rinse away food and beverage particles. It also the dilutes acidic content of many of these drinks, which is important for preventing tooth enamel damage.   

Oral health and general wellness are connected. A wealth of research has been dedicated to studying the links between common oral health conditions like gum disease and general health concerns like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Quite a bit of this research has shown that there is a correlation between the development of periodontal (gum) disease and cardiovascular health conditions. When it comes to men’s health, this research matters—particularly because men have higher risks for developing gum disease and heart disease than women.

The Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease & Gum Disease Among Men

Studies show that the incidence of both gum disease and heart disease is higher among men than women. Some of these statistics might startle you.

• Heart disease is the most common cause of death among men from all ethnic groups
• About half of men’s deaths attributed to heart disease were asymptomatic at their onset
• Gum disease is over 56% more likely to affect men than women
• Men tend to have poorer dental health including excessive plaque and tartar accumulation as well as inflamed gingiva
• Roughly 80% of the adult population in the USA will develop a form of periodontal disease at least once in their lifetimes

Connections Between Periodontal Health and Heart Health

Did you know that people with gum disease have a two to three times higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease—especially heart attack and stroke?

The exact correlations between heart disease and periodontal health are still being researched. Previous studies have shown, however, that the plaque present in periodontal disease can enter the blood stream. This plaque and the bacteria that infect the gums can attach to arteries in the heart.

Additionally, the level of inflammation present among those with gum disease appears to contribute to health issues including the cardiovascular variety. Harvard Medical School specifically points to the link between the long-term inflammatory responses of gum disease and atherosclerosis, which is the accumulation of fatty deposits of plaque in the arteries.

Preventing Gum Disease for Men

Preventing gum disease has a number of health benefits for men, including reduced risks for developing cardiovascular problems. The most effective way to prevent periodontal disease is to practice proper oral hygiene. The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Periodontology set forth guidelines for oral hygiene that include:

• Brushing teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time
• Flossing once each day
• Using ADA-approved oral hygiene tools and fluoridated toothpaste

Beyond practicing good oral hygiene, men should receive two dental cleanings and checkups each year, spaced about six months apart. Regular dental exams will help detect gum disease at its earliest stages, when it’s far easier to manage and treat.

There’s nothing like playing a sport. You get to push your body and mind to its limits, refine difficult skills, burn tons of calories, and enjoy a rush of endorphins. Physical activity is a wonderful thing for your mind and body. And while sports and physical activities have abundant wellness benefits, an injury—especially one that affects your mouth and face, could be devastating.

Sports-induced oral health injuries can be severe and require multiple invasive treatments and surgeries. They are also incredibly painful. While modern dentistry and medicine can help you get your comfort and quality of life back on track, prevention is always best.

Wearing a mouthguard—particularly one that is custom made by your dentist—is one of the best ways to prevent sports-related facial trauma.

Sports-Related Facial Injuries: The Painful Truth

A hard tumble on the court or a hard bump into an opponent’s elbow could land you in the emergency room with crippling pain and far-reaching damage to precious oral tissue. When it comes to a sports-related facial injury, the effects are dizzying and distressing. Blunt trauma to the oral cavity and face can lead to broken and knocked out teeth, fractured facial bones, dislocated jawbones, and deep lacerations into the lips and cheeks.

Some traumatic facial injuries can be mild but the best-case scenario is normally a knocked out tooth. The worst-case scenario is far more disturbing. Facial trauma can cause multiple injuries to different types of tissue at once. A blow to the face could require multiple types treatment from an ER physician, an oral maxillofacial surgeon, and a dentist—not to mention multiple surgeries and months of down time spent healing.

Patients with severe facial injuries might need a combination of treatments such as:

• Corrective jaw surgery
• Tooth extractions
• Dental implant placement
• Suturing of lacerated soft tissue
• Restorations like dental crowns and bridges

When the oral cavity endures trauma, special care has to be taken because the oral health system is delicate and complex. There are numerous nerve endings, capillaries, and blood vessels to consider when providing treatment.

If the jaws are affected, correcting broken bones and misalignments takes time and invasive care. Slightly misaligned jaws can throw a big wrench into a person’s quality of life—leaving them with frequent discomfort and diminished oral function. Correcting something like broken jawbones requires precise care from a specialist like an oral surgeon.

Statistics Reveal Why Mouthguards are Necessary

If you’re still not sold on the need for mouthguards, the numbers might convince you. An alarming number of athletes and parents of child-aged athletes don’t use mouthguards. As it stands now, a whopping 200,000 facial injuries are prevented each year among those who do wear recommended safety gear like mouthguards and chin straps.

This number could be higher, though. Much higher. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation’s study in 2012, as many as three million teeth were knocked out by sports injuries. The Center for Disease Control also estimates that there are over 7 million sports-related injuries for youth, teens, and adults annually. Unfortunately, not wearing mouthguards increases a person’s risks for sport-induced dental injuries by 60 times.

When you look at the numbers, wearing a mouthguard just makes sense.

Sports and Activities Where Mouthguards are Recommended

You might be surprised to learn how often mouthguards are recommended for sports and physical activities. Many people know that mouthguards are especially important for contact sports like boxing and wrestling but might be surprised to learn that they’re recommended for other activities like skateboarding, horseback riding, and football.

Here are some other activities and sports for which the American Dental Association recommends wearing mouthguards:

• Gymnastics
• Skating
• Basketball
• Field Hockey
• Martial Arts
• Raquetball
• Lacrosse
• Shot Put
• Skiing
• Soccer

Types of Mouthguards

There are a couple of types of mouthguards. Sporting goods stores and large supermarkets carry ready-made mouthguards that come in various sizes as well as “boil and bite” mouthguards that can conform better to a person’s unique oral anatomy. While these mouthguards can prevent some facial injuries, the best option for protection and comfort is to have a custom mouthguard made by your dentist.

A custom mouthguard is made to very exact specifications so that it properly covers (and protects) your teeth. Custom oral appliances will fit more comfortably, too. A comfortable mouthguard is more likely to be used.

Our Lafayette, LA family dentist offers custom mouthguards to help you protect you and your children’s oral health. Call our friendly team today to schedule a consultation.