The culprit in pregnancy-related gum disease is the hormone progesterone. Progesterone is a female hormone that is increased during pregnancy. The increased hormone responds to the presence of plaque on the teeth by triggering irritation and the signs of gum disease even if the amount of plaque on the teeth would not normally cause a problem. A pregnant woman, therefore, can get gum disease with very little plaque on the teeth. Women are also at greater risk of gum disease due to increased progesterone in the days before their menstrual period every month. During pregnancy, the risk is highest between the second and eighth months.

Normal dental visits should continue all through pregnancy. X-rays should be avoided, but routine procedures like teeth cleaning can be performed safely. Because of the increased risk of gum disease, dentists sometimes recommend extra cleanings during pregnancy. It is important to tell your dentist that you are pregnant as soon as possible, and avoid dental work during the first trimester. A routine checkup and cleaning is safe that early, but except in a case of dental emergency, no other dental work should be performed until the second trimester or later when the baby’s major organs have developed.

Diet is important for a pregnant woman and her unborn baby. If a pregnant woman does not get enough calcium, the baby will “borrow” calcium from the mother’s bones. By getting plenty of calcium in the foods she eats, a pregnant woman’s bones are protected and the baby’s bones and teeth are provided enough calcium to develop properly. Vitamins A, D and C are also important. Remember also that satisfying strange pregnancy food cravings is okay, but this is all the more reason to keep up with your oral hygiene routine and see the dentist regularly.

Although dental treatment should be avoided and postponed, if there is pain and a risk of infection then treatment should be performed with supervision of your OBGYN. There are different techniques and anesthetics with lower risks as the baby is always into taken into consideration. For additional questions, speak with your dentist directly to see which options are right for you.

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Pacifier safety is very important, because prolonged usage can lead to serious complications as the teeth begin to come in. Children will typically stop using a pacifier on their own. This tends to take place between the ages of two and four. A parent should not allow their child to continue using a pacifier past the age of 4.

Children are resourceful and are known to hide their old pacifiers from their parents, so be sure to thoroughly investigate all of your couch cushions and any other nooks and crannies the children may be able to find and use as a pacifier stash spot. When pacifiers are still used past the appropriate age, oral health can be compromised.

For example, the top and front teeth of the child will not come in properly if they continue to suck on a pacifier. Sucking on a pacifier causes the teeth in the top and front of the mouth to take on a more slanted appearance, which can cost thousands of dollars for a parent to fix at the dentist. Even the bottom teeth are affected by this habit. Pacifier usage past a certain age causes the bottom teeth to be tilted in a direction that is not aesthetically pleasing. There is also a major risk that the roof of the child’s mouth could become significantly more narrow if they do not stop sucking before it is too late.

There are also larger problems that can arise that are much more difficult to fix. The child may experience jaw misalignment, which is incredibly painful. Continuous sucking of a pacifier can cause the bottom and top of the jaw to need realignment. To avoid any jaw alignment, it is best to give your child a pacifier that is made from natural rubber, allowing it to lay flat against the roof of the mouth. Parents may also think that it is a good idea to coat the pacifier with something sweet, to reduce the child’s pain during teething. This is not recommended, as you increase the child’s risk of developing cavities.

It is pivotal that you lay the groundwork for a healthy mouth from an early age.

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A pediatric dentist must complete the same educational requirements as a general dentist. After this training is complete, the education of a dentist who wishes to be a pediatric dentist continues for at least two more years. During this phase of their education, they work exclusively with children and receive training not only in children’s dentistry but also in childhood development and child psychology. Pediatric dentists are trained in behavior management, and they have learned techniques for distracting children and making them as comfortable as possible during office visits. In addition, pediatric dentists have received training in the treatment of special needs children.

Because pediatric dentists focus on young children and teens, they hold the responsibility of instilling a healthy view of the dentist into their new patients. In addition to offering specialized dental treatment for growing children and adolescents, the goal of pediatric dentistry is to teach children that practicing good oral hygiene is necessary for a healthy, white smile. Informing children about early prevention, detection, and maintenance helps to ensure beneficial practices and habits. Offering dental services for young people in a friendly, comfortable environment, pediatric dentists make children feel at home- while instilling a positive feeling of oral health that will last a lifetime.

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The truth is: parents should use toothpastes with stronger concentrations of fluoride to prevent tooth decay in children over twelve. Many children’s toothpastes swap fun tubes and a tasty flavor for the ingredients that our mouths need to stay clean and fight bacteria. According to various studies, fluoride can reduce tooth decay by up to 25%, a staggering statistic that proves the necessity of fluoride in toothpaste once children reach a certain age. However, parents must be cautious with the use of fluoride in younger children. As it happens, using toothpastes high in fluoride in children under twelve leads to a higher risk of mild fluorosis. The key is making certain that a child is old enough to not purposefully swallow the toothpaste, causing them to ingest levels deemed mildly unhealthy. From ages six to twelve, parents may even choose to begin using toothpastes with higher levels but in smaller amounts to properly wean their children.

The benefits of fluoride far outweigh the risks, as a heavy amount of fluoride would have to be ingested to cause any true damage. However, damage in the mouth caused by a lack of fluoride is very real. Tooth decay and additional consequences due to a lack of fluoride in toothpaste are a much more possible outcome.

Fluoride is not the enemy but, when used in proper amounts, a helpful ingredient in maintaining a glowing smile. Flavorful kid’s toothpastes low in fluoride are appropriate in younger children, but as they grow, using a small amount of toothpaste with a higher concentration of fluoride will keep children’s smiles strong and healthy.

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