Dental Care during Pregnancy

Congratulations, you are having a baby! How can you ensure you keep a healthy mouth during your pregnancy and give your child the best start in life?

As you may have noticed, your body is going through a lot of changes. The progesterone and estrogen levels can make your gums very tender and swollen and more likely to bleed. Also you may be suffering from morning sickness and not feel like brushing your teeth. As gum disease can progress much more rapidly while you are pregnant, it is important to be even more vigilant in oral care while you are pregnant.

Dentistry

It is safe to have dental treatment done while you are pregnant. We however try and avoid any treatment during the First and Third trimesters. The Second trimester is the safest time for any dental treatment to be administered. We will also try and avoid Xrays during the entire duration of your pregnancy.

Most of our pregnant ladies come in 1-2 times during their pregnancy for cleaning (scaling) to prevent any gum disease.

Snacking

Often your diet changes when you are pregnant, you may crave sugary snacks and eat more often. Try and rinse your mouth after snacking.

Old Wives tales

• Drinking milk will harden your babies teeth: There is however, no evidence to say the calcium from the milk makes any difference to your baby’s teeth.
• You will lose one tooth while you are pregnant: With good oral care you will not lose any teeth. 

If you are not pregnant yet but are trying to conceive, it is important to get your mouth checked and take Xays while we can. There has been research done by the American Academy of Periodontology connecting low birth weight in infants with gum disease so we would like your mouth to be in perfect condition BEFORE you get pregnant.

If you’d like more information or want to consult us, contact our Practice to schedule an appointment over the phone on 011 41554777 or online on www.NANDADENTAL.com

Dental Sealants: Keeping your Child's Teeth Healthy

Dental sealants act as a barrier to prevent cavities. They are a plastic material usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars) where decay occurs most often. 

Which teeth are suitable for sealants?
The first and second permanent molars appear to benefit the most from application of pit and fissure sealants. The first permanent molar erupts in the mouth at the age of 6 years and the second molar at the age of 12 years. It is best to apply the sealant as soon as the tooth erupts into the mouth before any decay occurs.

Why should my child get sealants?
The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids. As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing, they may however require reapplication at regular intervals. Sealants thus aid in preventing cavities and save you from expensive fillings.

Should adults get sealants too?
The likelihood of developing pit and fissure decay begins early in life, so children and teenagers are obvious candidates. But adults can benefit from sealants as well.

If you’d like more information or want to consult us, contact our Practice to schedule an appointment over the phone on 011 41554777 or online on www.nandadental.com

Braces Can Work at Any Age

Are you an adult who is considering getting braces? Perhaps you’ve had them before, but over the years that dental work has been reversed. Or maybe you’ve never had any orthodontic work done, but are considering braces for the first time.

If you are considering getting braces, here is what you need to know about adult orthodontic work:

Can Braces Work For Adults?

Absolutely! Orthodontics has advanced to the point where corrective devices, such as braces and retainers, are less obvious, more comfortable, and can be worn for shorter periods of time. Braces work for just about anyone. However, there are several different types of braces, and not all of them may work for you.

Different types of orthodontic treatments include:

•    Ceramic braces

•    Metal braces

•    Lingual brackets (braces behind the teeth)

•    Invisible braces

By scheduling a consultation, we can determine which treatment or combination of treatments would be best for your specific needs.

How Do I Get Started?

Getting braces can be a little bit daunting. At first glance, the process may appear expensive and time-consuming. However, if you take it step by step, getting braces can be a simple and relatively pain-free experience. Here are the first steps you need to take to get on the road to straight teeth:

First, you need information. If you are nervous about getting braces, or are having trouble getting started, learning more about the process can help ease your mind.

The next step is to complete any prerequisite treatment. During your first meeting, X-rays and molds of your teeth are taken which help us determine an appropriate treatment plan.

Once you have completed these steps, you are ready to get started! After you’ve chosen a treatment plan and undergone any necessary prerequisite dental work, you’ll be able to get your braces. Just like that, you’re on your way to a better smile!

If you’d like to get started right away, contact our Practice to schedule an appointment over the phone on 011 41554777 or online on www.nandadental.com

Mouth and Body Connection

To many people, a dental visit is about getting their teeth cleaned, having a tooth pulled or having a filling placed. However, a dental visit is not just about teeth.  It is also about your overall health. 

What goes on in your mouth can affect the rest of your body, and what goes on in the rest of your body can have an effect on your mouth. Recent research indicates a very strong connection between infections in the mouth and chronic infections in other parts of the body.

Diseases of the gums have a proven effect on the following conditions:

Diabetes:

Patients with diabetes have an already compromised immune system. Thus making them more susceptible to gum disease. Further the presence of gum disease increases the number of bacteria in the blood stream, and causes inflammation. All of this makes sugar control more difficult in a diabetic patient.

Heart Disease:

According to research from the American Heart Association, poor oral health could increase your chances of developing heart disease -- more so than the usual suspects of cholesterol and triglyceride levels.  In fact, the American Academy of Periodontology reports that, periodontitis is the strongest predictor of coronary disease.  Periodontitis, is an infection in the gum tissue around a tooth; gums recede and teeth can loosen as their support weakens.

Pregnancy:

A link between pre term and low birth weight babies has now been established. Mothers with gum diseases have a seven times greater risk of pre term babies.

A regular visit to the dentist can help identify these problems at an early stage. Getting your teeth cleaned professionally every 6 months can go a long way in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

For any questions or queries please schedule an appointment with us over the phone on 011 41554777 or online on www.nandadental.com

Bad Breath

Now, this is something a lot of us are concerned about. Bad breath, also called halitosis, can result from poor oral hygiene habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. You may not even be aware of your own bad breath, so if you’re concerned you may be suffering from it, talk to our team. We can help identify the cause and, if it’s due to an oral condition, develop a plan to treat it.

There are many reasons for bad breath:

• What you eat affects the way your breath smells. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, can have a very strong and lasting odor.
• If you don’t brush daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath, not to mention tooth decay and gingivitis.
• Bad breath can be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odour. This is one of the reasons for bad breath when you wake up in the morning.
• Tobacco products cause bad breath.
• Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If this is the case, you may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the cause.


For any questions or queries please schedule an appointment with us over the phone on 011 41554777 or online on www.nandadental.com

Healthy Eating for a Healthy Mouth

Let’s face it: We’re all at risk for cavities. You can significantly lower your risk by limiting the amount of sugar that hits your teeth in the first place.

The longer food that promotes plaque bacteria stays in your mouth, the worse it is. So it's not necessarily the amount of sweets you eat, but how often you eat them.

These tips can help reduce tooth-decay risk from the foods you eat:

• If you consume sugary foods, do so with your meals rather than in between. Saliva production increases during meals, which helps neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth.
• When consuming acidic drinks, including fruit juice and carbonated beverages, drink quickly and use a straw for limited contact with teeth and gums. Don’t swish them around in your mouth.
• To prevent tooth erosion, rinse with water after consuming high-acid food such as tomato sauce and dill pickles, as well as acidic drinks such as soda and fruit juice. Water will dilute the acids.
• Cut down on sweet and starchy between-meal snacks. When sugars or starches in your mouth come in contact with plaque, the acids that result can attack teeth for 20 minutes or more after you finish eating. Repeated attacks can break down the hard enamel on the surface of teeth, leading to tooth decay.

For more information on the same please visit our website www.nandadental.com and schedule an appointment. 

Keep Smiling!!

Proper Brushing and Flossing Techniques

When it comes to taking care of your teeth, proper brushing and flossing techniques can make a remarkable difference. Establishing a daily oral care routine should not be difficult. Unfortunately, you face an overload of information from advertisements touting the latest in brushing and flossing products.

Types of brushes:

Patients often ask us about the kind of brush they should use, so here is what we recommend:

• ·      Most individuals will benefit from a soft bristled brush. Softer bristles will be gentler on the teeth and gums, even if you have a heavy hand when brushing.
• ·      The head of the toothbrush should fit comfortably in your mouth. If the head is too large, you may not be able to properly brush your back teeth.
• ·      Replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Frayed or worn out bristles will do more damage than good.

Brushing technique:

While getting your teeth clean is important, over-brushing can actually be damaging to your teeth and gums. Brushing too hard can wear away the tooth enamel and cause sensitivity.

• ·      Brush your teeth twice a day: morning after having breakfast and at night after dinner
• ·      Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface
• ·      Use short, gentle back and forth strokes
• ·      Clean all surfaces thoroughly
• ·      To clean the inside surfaces of your front teeth, hold the brush vertically and use gentle up and down strokes

Types of floss:

• -       Floss is available as waxed or unwaxed string.
• -       Waxed floss may glide more smoothly between your teeth.
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• -       The flavoring in floss is designed to make the process more enjoyable

Flossing Techniques:  

• ·      To use string floss you will need a piece that measures about 18 inches in length.
• ·      Wrap the ends a couple of times around your middle or index fingers.
• ·      Gently work the floss back and forth between each of your teeth.
• ·      You should be making a “C” shape against the tooth surface.
• ·      Be careful not to cut into your gums while flossing. If you notice any bleeding of your gums, consult your dentist.
• ·      Floss your teeth once a day. The time of day and the brushing and flossing sequence do not matter.

Your dentist is the best source of information when it comes to caring for your teeth. Every individual does have different needs and we will work with you to determine what works best for your situation. If you have questions regarding brushing techniques or which floss or toothbrush to use, please feel free to ask us at your next visit.

Keep Smiling!!