Dental Care During Pregnancy

February was National Children’s Dental Health Month. You’ve probably read tons of articles and information focusing on kids’ dental health and care. But did you know that good dental health starts in the womb?

A mother’s dental health is a pretty accurate predictor of the newborn’s oral health. A study published in the Journal of The American Dental Association linked both these factors. Dentists recommend that pregnant women pay close attention to their oral health and get regular checkups in order to minimize any oral health risks.

Signs of Oral Health Problems During Pregnancy

The easiest step is to ask your prenatal care provider for a basic oral health assessment. They will usually take an oral health history and do an initial examination. You should tell your doctor if you have noticed any of these issues:

• Sore or bleeding gums
• Problems or pain while chewing
• If and frequency of vomiting
• Lesions
• Signs of infection

Oral health issues will not cause any problems during pregnancy as long as they are detected early and treated properly. Be sure to stick to the instructions your doctor or dentist gives you. Do not worry if X-rays (particularly digital X-rays), local anesthesia and pain medications such as Tylenol are needed, this report by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists deems them safe during pregnancy.

Great Tips to Help You and Your Baby’s Oral Health

Pregnancy is one of the craziest times in a woman’s life. A woman’s body goes through a ton of physiological and mental changes and leaves you overwhelmed. It is quite easy to forget about good oral health during this time when there are so many other things to worry about. And what’s worse, pregnancy actually makes your gums softer and more prone to inflammation (gingivitis).

Here are some tips that can help you maintain good oral health for you and your baby:

1. Use toothpastes containing fluoride and brush twice daily and replace your toothbrush at least every 3 months (sooner if the bristles start to show signs of wear).

2. Use mouthwash every night. Make sure you use one which is alcohol-free and contains fluoride.

3. If you get an attack of morning sickness, use a baking soda rinse (1 teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of water) afterwards to protect your teeth against acids. And don’t brush your teeth for at least 30 minutes as your tooth enamel is still at risk after the vomiting.

4. Avoid foods that are high in sugar, eat fresh fruits and whole-grains, and drink lots of water.

Practice these few easy habits and you will not only help yourself but also give your baby a much better chance of having a healthy set of teeth and gums. If you have any questions regarding dental care feel free to get in touch with Smile Institute by visiting our office in Eugene, OR.

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Should You Throw Out Your Mouthwash?

Visit the mouthwash aisle at a local pharmacy and you will be greeted with claims of plaque-fighting, bad-breath- busting, teeth-whitening, almost-magical solutions. These colorful liquids hold no magic, but they do have significant benefits. Dentists swear by them, but some critics are not convinced with these claims. Let’s look at the pros and cons of mouthwashes.
The Pros
Mouthwashes help in:

Fighting gum disease and significantly reducing the chances of getting gingivitis (painful gum inflammation)
Getting rid of bacteria ...

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Common Dental Problems Faced By Senior Citizens

Senior citizens are at more risk for oral and dental problems than any other demographic. Older adults tend to be more prone to cavities, hence so it is imperative that they or the people caring about them know the special oral challenges they face and...

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Great Smile Equals Great Life

Orthodontics and Invisalign: Great Smile Equals Great Life

Everybody wants to look good and feel their best. It’s a common fact that having a great smile has an enormous impact on an increased confidence level. A higher confidence surely impacts on your business and personal success which is a key component to your happiness. We spend most of our professional hours smiling, talking, interacting, and laughing. At times we are self-conscious or worried about our smile, and it can become a substantial impediment to our self-esteem and then a barrier in our progress.

Teeth are the essential part of a perfect smile. Our dental orthodontics and Invisalign treatment options can perfectly align teeth to guarantee a perfectly presentable smile.

We’ll look at orthodontics and Invisalign treatments below:

What is Orthodontics?

It is a branch of dentistry which focuses on the correction of the teeth and jaw that are positioned improperly. Crooked teeth and the teeth which don’t properly fit together are hard to clean which leaves room for bacterial growth which eventually results in tooth decay, periodontal disease and other dental conditions. Crooked teeth highly affect the smile and detract from one’s appearance.

The benefits of orthodontic treatment will include a healthier mouth, a pleasant, more youthful looking appearance, and teeth that will last your lifetime. It also saves you from many diseases that put you at high risk for early tooth loss, cause extra stress on chewing muscles leading to headaches, TMJ syndrome and even pain in shoulder, neck and back.

What is Invisalign?

There are many options out there for teeth straightening, but Invisalign provides such comfort, confidence, and convenience. Regardless of what stage you are in life, many patients are discovering how Invisalign provides cutting-edge treatment for dental straightening. Straight teeth can have a huge impact on your smile and how you feel about yourself.

To find out more about The Smile Institute, orthodontics and Invisalign, get in touch by dialing (541) 484-1955. If you live in or around Eugene, stop by our office at 497 Oakway Rd #200.

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Gum Disease – How To Prevent It

Gum Disease – What Is It and How To Prevent It When we talk about dental care our primary focus is to prevent cavities. But your gums are equally important as your teeth. Gums play a vital role in your dental health and help them...

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