How to Have a Healthy Pregnancy and Avoid Periodontal Disease
Here at Salmon Creek Family Dental, the dentist in Vancouver WA, we have patients who are expecting and ask us questions regarding oral health care. When a female becomes pregnant, she knows how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle; this will ensure the health of her and her baby. New clinical recommendations from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) urge pregnant women to maintain periodontal health as well. This information has indicated that women who have periodontal disease are at higher risk of having adverse pregnancy outcomes, such giving birth to a pre-term or low-birth weight baby, reports the AAP and EFP. What is Periodontal Disease? Periodontal disease is a chronic gum disease; it is a bacteria-induced, inflammatory condition that will attack the gum tissue. In severe cases it will attack the bone that supports the teeth. If gum disease is not treated, it can lead to tooth loss. Symptoms of Periodontal Disease Gum disease often goes undiagnosed. There are symptoms that people experience and often ignore, such as swollen gums, redness, and even bleeding gums. Gums that bleed when you use a toothbrush or eat are common signs. What happens is the gums will pull away from your teeth, and you can have chronic bad breath, and eventually loose your teeth. If you have these signs when you are pregnant, do not ignore them. Several research studies have suggested that women with periodontal disease may be more likely to deliver babies prematurely or with low-birth weight than mothers with healthy gums. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), babies with a birth weight of less than 5.5 pounds may be at risk of long-term health problems such as delayed motor skills, social growth, or learning disabilities. If you are pregnant and think you are at risk for periodontal disease these tips can help. Get into a Routine When your baby comes, it will be difficult to maintain structure and a solid routine. But practicing a good health regimen now will help ensure consistent habits. Brush and floss your teeth every day for the best benefits. Get Evaluated Women who are pregnant who visit their dentist for a periodontal evaluation can often decrease the chance of adverse pregnancy complications. Dr. Nelson says it is important to monitor your periodontal health throughout each stage of your life. For a full evaluation visit us today #360-696-9461.
Lighten Up and Smile
We all know daily stress can cause a myriad of health problems like depression, high blood pressure, skin disorders and even heart-related issues. Even more surprisingly, your stress levels could also be affecting your dental health. Stress related dental problems were known to ancient societies thousands of years ago and the pattern hasn’t changed. Here at Salmon Creek Family Dental, we understand how stress can affect your oral health, and we’re happy to offer advice on how to prevent the worst. Brush the Stress Away Over the last 30 years dentists have successfully decreased tooth decay in Americans by nearly 70 percent through the aid of regular cleanings, fluoride treatments and educational awareness. However, now, findings show that tooth decay may not be caused merely by poor dental care, but by stress itself. When the body is stressed, it increases the secretion of the suprarenal glands, which produce the front-line defenders against bacteria and germs. This over use of the foreign body fighters means they can become lazy when real bacteria is introduced into the body, meaning your body is less likely to ward off infection. Your gums are the first to be affected, showing signs of bleeding and swelling more than those that are not susceptible to stress. As stress levels increase in our bodies, our mood changes constantly causing mood swings and depression. Both can lead to poor decision making when it comes to oral care. Some people may start skipping the important daily dental regemine. Brushing and flossing are key to ultimate oral hygiene, and skipping them, especially during periods of high-stress could be detrimental. Further, when the body is overly stressed the tendency to develop bad-eating habits are heightened. This could include over-snacking or consuming overly sugary foods or drinks. Keep On Flossin’ People suffering from long-term stress are more susceptible to gum disease. Some may notice excessive gum bleeding, redness and/or swelling. Ignoring these issues by not flossing or consulting your dentist leads to further problems like plaque and eventually tooth decay. When plaque gets out of hand and cleanings alone can’t solve the problem, cavities form and the teeth are in danger of rotting and or nerve damage. A Real Grind Perhaps one of the most common dental-related issues associated with daily stress is teeth grinding or clenching. Nearly 40 million Americans suffer from bruxism and studies have shown that the ailment is caused by stress or age. Teeth grinding typically happens while you’re sleeping, but teeth clenching can happen during the day without you even being aware of the condition. Excessive teeth grinding or clenching can lead to TMJ, or the misalignment of the jaw joint which causes popping, difficulty chewing or the inability to open and close the mouth properly. Stress doesn’t have to take over your body. Learning how to relax in your daily life is your first step to healthier living and a healthier mouth. Further, a visit to Salmon Creek Family Dental is the best way to determine if stress is affecting your oral health. We can detect early signs of gum disease, mouth sores, teeth grinding and orafacial pain and also assist you in learning how to deal with stress better and offer you advice and resources. Feel free to contact us here at Salmon Creek Family Dental, your cosmetic dentist in Vancouver, WA, with any concerns or questions you may have about the health of your teeth.
Flossing Basics
Flossing is as important for good dental health as brushing our teeth, but what if you’ve never made flossing a regular part of your dental hygiene routine? Can it be too late to begin flossing our teeth on a regular basis? Vancouver WA dentist Dr. Nelson and the friendly, knowledgeable staff at Salmon Creek Family Dental believe that It’s never too late to start flossing your teeth. And, like brushing, flossing your teeth is just as important for good dental health. These tips will help you make flossing your teeth a part of your regular routine. Floss To Use There are many different kinds of floss, and the specific one that you choose depends on your teeth. If your teeth have rough edges, you’ll want floss that resists shredding. If your teeth are tightly set together, you’ll want one that easily fits in between them. Other considerations for floss include flavored versus not flavored, waxed versus unwaxed, and the material that the floss is made from. You may have to try a few different kinds of floss before you find one that you prefer – feel free to ask your hygienist which one he or she recommends.. Flossing Basics Flossing is easier than you might think. First, grab a length of floss and wrap the ends around each of your index fingers a few times. This will allow a short, stable section of floss to use in between your teeth. Starting with your front teeth, gently work that segment of floss in the spaces between, gently working it through any narrow or tight spots. Wrap the floss around the edge of each tooth, carefully scraping the edge as well as the base of each tooth and the space between it and your gumline. Start slowly at first, taking plenty of time to floss your teeth. Careful Flossing The point of flossing isn’t to harm but to help. The pressure you use while flossing needs to be firm but not extreme. When moving the floss up and down between teeth, don’t press so hard that you cause injury to your gum. Use as much floss as you need in order to clean your teeth. It may take a few tries using floss to remove food particles. Make sure to use clean sections of floss as you floss one tooth to avoid spreading bacteria. General Tips for Flossing Your Teeth Choose a time to floss that works for you. Maybe your morning routine as you get ready for work will help you remember to floss, or perhaps evening works better. Floss on-the-go. Purchase floss picks from the local grocery or drug store and stash them in your purse or your care for easy access. They’ll be there when you get food stuck in between your teeth and they’ll also help remind you to floss! Talk with your Dr. Nelson or your hygienist at Salmon Creek Family Dental. If it’s difficult to floss or you don’t feel confident, ask your dental hygienist to give you a lesson – they’ll be thrilled that you asked!