Being pregnant comes with many responsibilities—and the way you care for your teeth is no exception. For most women, routine dental visits are safe during pregnancy, but let your dental office know what month you are in when you make your appointment. If yours is a high-risk pregnancy or you have some other medical condition, your dentist and your physician may recommend that treatment be postponed. Be sure to let your dentist know if there is any change in the medications you take or if you have received any special advice from your physician. The benefits of receiving dental care during pregnancy far outweigh potential risks. Be sure to keep your dentist informed of any changes in your mouth such as swelling, redness or bleeding.
7 tips for maintaining a healthy mouth during pregnancy:
- Brush thoroughly with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
- Floss between your teeth daily.
- Purchase products that have the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
- Eat a balanced diet. If you snack, do so in moderation.
- Visit your dentist regularly for a professional cleaning and check-up.
- If you need help controlling plaque, your dentist may recommend rinsing at night with an antimicrobial mouth rinse.
- If you have morning sickness and are vomiting frequently, try rinsing with a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with water to stop stomach acid from attacking your teeth.
To read the entire article visit mouthhealthy.org
Siranli Dental
Samantha Siranli, DMD, PhD, FACP
2112 F St. NW, Suite 605
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 466-4530
SiranliDental.com
If
the thought of seeing your dentist gives you chills every six months,
an anesthetic may be the solution. Sedation dentistry uses a combination
of techniques, ranging from nitrous oxide or "laughing gas" to general
anesthesia, to relax a patient during surgeries or otherwise
uncomfortable appointments. For even the most severe dental phobias,
there is no longer a reason to avoid the dentist altogether.
Settings that Practice Anti-Anxiety
The
dental office has long been the most common setting for routine dental
procedures that use sedation and anti-anxiety techniques. These
techniques can be used for any type of dental procedure depending on the
needs of the patient. Ultimately, your fears and phobias can be managed
so that you can receive the dental care you require no matter where the
treatment takes place.
Are You a Candidate for Sedation?
Your
overall health, as well as physical and mental conditions you may be
battling at the time, are important to be able to safely undergo certain
types of sedation ñ especially in the dental office. Certain of these
conditions may require clearance from a physician: cardiac disease,
hypertension, diabetes and respiratory diseases should all be addressed
prior to a given type of sedation. Your dentist will take a thorough
medical history and physical assessment before proceeding, and if need
be, recommend a product like Colgate® Total® Advanced Deep Clean to get
home care on the right track. He or she may also ask you to receive
medical clearance from your physician.
To read the entire article written by James Burke Fine DMD, please visit Colgate.com
Siranli Dental
Samantha Siranli, DMD, PhD, FACP
2112 F St. NW, Suite 605
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 466-4530
SiranliDental.com
If
you have been experiencing problems with a tooth, you may wonder, "Do I
need a root canal?" Root canals, also known as endodontic therapy, are
performed when the nerve or pulp of the tooth becomes infected and
inflammed due to dental decay, a cracked or broken tooth or an injury to
the tooth, according to the American Dental Association. During the
procedure, a dentist uses a drill to remove both the nerve and pulp and
seals up the tooth to protect against further damage. Only your dentist
or a dental specialist called an endodontist, can determine whether a
root canal will adequately treat your problem. Here are a few possible
symptoms of the need for a root canal and some steps for dealing with
them.
General Possible Symptoms
The
most common symptom that may indicate the need for a root canal is
tooth pain, according to the American Association of Endodontists. The
intensity of the pain can range from mild to severe; it may lessen or
intensify throughout the day, or it may get worse only when you bite
down on the tooth. Some patients experience prolonged sensitivity to hot
food or liquids. Your gums may also feel tender and swollen near the
problem area.
First Steps
If
you notice any of the above symptoms, contact your dentist right away.
Explain your symptoms by phone to a staff member, who may arrange for
you to come in right away or may recommend emergency care depending on
the severity of your symptoms. To soothe the pain and alleviate
swelling, apply an ice pack to the outside of your jaw.
To read the entire article written by Rebecca Desfosse, please visit Colgate.com
Siranli Dental
Samantha Siranli, DMD, PhD, FACP
2112 F St. NW, Suite 605
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 466-4530
SiranliDental.com
You
want to keep your teeth for a lifetime, but circumstances can arise
that prompt your dentist to recommend removing a tooth for the good of
your dental health. And although many of your teeth are easily
removable, it's occasionally more complicated, and requires a more
involved procedure. Here's why the surgical extraction of teeth may
become necessary, and how your dentist differentiates these procedures
from others.
Why Can't a Tooth be Saved?
The
American Dental Association (ADA) Mouth Healthy site suggests teeth are
usually removed due to trauma, disease or crowding. When a tooth cannot
be repaired with a filling or a crown because of an accident or
extensive decay, an extraction may be your best recourse. Teeth that
aren't supported by enough bone due to periodontal disease are also
candidates for removal, according to Warren Dentistry, necessitating the
use of a gum-protecting toothpaste like Colgate TotalÆ Clean Mint
following extraction. Infected (abscessed) teeth that don't respond to
root canal treatment may need to be taken out, as well.
Keep
in mind it's not unusual for an orthodontist to recommend an extraction
or two before orthodontic treatment begins because of crowed teeth.
Similarly, wisdom teeth are frequently extracted because of the awkward
position in which they grow behind your molars.
To read the entire article written by Donna Pleis, please visit Colgate.com
Parents
are a child's first teacher in life and play a significant role in
maintaining his or her overall health. Providing oral health education
to mothers and families is essential to teaching children healthy habits
and preventing early childhood tooth decay, according to an article
published in the May/June 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the
peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry
(AGD).
With
all of the challenges that new parents face, they may not think much
about the link between their child's oral health and overall health. In
fact, an understanding of oral hygiene can help parents to prevent tooth
decayóthe single most common chronic childhood disease in Americaóand
to create a lifetime of healthy habits for their child.
"Ideally,
the oral health education for any family will begin with prenatal
education and the establishment of a dental home by the time the child
is 12 to 18 months of age," says Tegwyn Brickhouse, DDS, author of the
study. "Many people don't realize that the oral health of the mother
affects both the infant's future oral health and the child's overall
health. In fact, some studies show that periodontal disease has been
linked to preterm labor. That's why pregnant women should be evaluated
for cavities, poor oral hygiene, gingivitis, loose teeth and diet."
After
the child is born, families should become familiar with their child's
dental and oral health milestones, which will be determined by
discussion with the family dentist or a pediatric dentist. Children
should have their first dental visit at age 1 or within six months of
the eruption of their first tooth. A dentist will be able to discuss
when parents can expect to see a child's first tooth and the best
technique for brushing his or her new teeth.
Diet
is another factor that affects a child's oral health. Frequent and
long-term exposure to liquids that contain sugars commonly results in
tooth decay. In addition to eliminating sugary drinks altogether from a
child's diet, parents can adopt other habits to prevent tooth decay due
to beverage consumption.
"Parents
should avoid giving their children milk, formula, juice or soda at
naptime or nighttime," says Bruce DeGinder, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for
the AGD. "The sugars will linger on their teeth and gums for a prolonged
period of time, promoting decay."
Parents
are responsible for their child's oral hygiene practices and are
advised to meet with a general dentist to determine the best way to
establish and maintain their child's oral health. A general dentist also
can provide families with oral health literature that is designed to
educate both the parent and child. This education has multiple benefits;
as Dr. Brickhouse notes, "Healthy teeth in early childhood can provide a
positive self-image and improve the child's quality of life."
To read the entire article please visit KnowYourTeeth.com
Most
of us know how important it is to look after our teeth, but do you know
what the different types of teeth are and how we use them? Teeth don't
just help you bite and chew; they play an important role in speaking and
support many aspects of your facial structure. There are four kinds of
teeth in your mouth, according to Everyday Health, and each performs a slightly different function. Then there are three rarer formations that can occur in a growing jaw.
Incisors
At
the front of the mouth are eight thin, straight teeth called incisors -
four at the top and four at the bottom - which bite into the food you
eat and help you pronounce words as you you speak. Incisors also support
the lips.
To read the entire article by Jenny Green, please visit Colgate.com
The
mouth, or oral cavity, is made up of numerous components that work
together so that you can breathe, speak, eat and digest food. When you
understand these parts of the mouth and how they affect your general
health, the significance of oral care takes on a whole new meaning.
Here's what these things do for you.
Lips and Cheeks
Your
lips and cheeks are made up of muscles that not only give you the
ability to pucker up for a kiss, but also help shape your facial
expressions - both happy and sad. Lips let air into your mouth for
breathing and, together with cheeks, help you speak. They also keep food
and saliva in your mouth while chewing. Ultimately, these strong
muscles guide and keep your teeth in their proper positions.
To read the entire article by Donna Pleis, please visit Colgate.com
