Pregnancy & Dental Care

By Mary Evett, eHow Contributor

 

Pregnancy & Dental Care

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Maintaining healthy teeth and gums while pregnant through regular preventative dental check-ups is an important step in avoiding oral infections, such as gum disease.

How to Take Care of a Dental Bridge

A 4 item dental bridge unit

All images courtesy of Photobucket photo pool.

How to Take Care of a Dental Bridge

1. 1
   

   Avoid chewing hard food, ice or candy. Any of these can cause damage to the bridge or the teeth that hold the bridge in place.

2. 2

   Stop grinding your teeth if you have in the past. Grinding can cause damage to the crowns on either end of the bridge. Use a prosthetic aid to assist you in stopping if you grind in your sleep. They are available from most dentists at a reasonable price.

3. 3
   
   Power flosser.

   Brush and floss teeth at least twice a day. Use special effort and care around areas where bridge attaches to real teeth. You want to keep these teeth very healthy as they provide the means to support the bridge.

4. 4

   Look for any plaque build-up between the gum and teeth. The plaque can cause decay or gum infection. It's important to catch any problems early.

5. 5
   
   See the dentist if you experience any problems.

   If you experience any pain or problems, have them checked by your dentist. After a short healing period you should not notice any pain. If you do it could be an indication that something isn't seated right. It's better to be safe than sorry.

   Read more: How to Take Care of a Dental Bridge | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5124975_care-dental-bridge.html#ixzz1CocsXc7l

Towards a better understanding of dental anxiety and fear: cognitions vs. experiences.

Authors: Armfield JM

Traumatic dental experiences are associated with dental anxiety and fear. However, many people with no dental fear have had negative dental experiences, and some people with considerable fear fail to recall any traumatic incidents. This study aimed to determine whether dental fear was better explained by experiences or by cognitive perceptions of going to the dentist as being uncontrollable, unpredictable, dangerous, and disgusting. A random sample of 1,084 Australian adults (response rate = 71.7%) completed a mailed questionnaire with measures of dental fear, perceptions of going to the dentist, and dental experiences. Perceptions of uncontrollability, unpredictability, dangerousness, and disgustingness had strong bivariate associations with scores on the Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear (IDAF-4C). Vulnerability-related perceptions accounted for 46.3% of the variance in IDAF-4C scores beyond that accounted for by demographic variables and five possible dental experiences comprising intense pain, considerable discomfort, gagging, fainting, and having a personal problem with the dentist. In contrast, dental experiences accounted for < 1% of the variance in IDAF-4C scores beyond that accounted for by the four cognitive perceptions. Perceptions of uncontrollability, unpredictability, dangerousness, and disgustingness were superior predictors of dental fear compared with negative dental experiences.

PMID: 20572859 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Self-reported Bruxism - associations with perceived stress, motivation for control, dental anxiety and gagging*

Authors: Winocur E, Uziel N, Lisha T, Goldsmith C, Eli I

Summary To examine possible associations between self-reported bruxism, stress, desirability of control, dental anxiety and gagging. Five questionnaires were distributed among a general adult population (402 respondents): the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Desirability of Control Scale (DC), Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), Gagging Assessment Scale (GAS), and Bruxism Assessment Questionnaire. A high positive correlation between DAS and GAS (R = 0.604, P < 0.001) was found. PSS was negatively correlated with DC (R = -0.292, P < 0.001), and was positively correlated with GAS (R = 0.217, P < 0.001) and DAS (R = 0.214, P < 0.001). Respondents who reported bruxing while awake or asleep showed higher levels of GAS, DAS and PSS than those who did not. There were no differences between the bruxers and the non-bruxers (sleep and aware) with regard to the DC scores. The best predictors of awake bruxism were sleep bruxism (OR = 4.98, CI 95% 2.54-9.74) and GAS (OR = 1.10, CI 95% 1.04-1.17). The best predictors of sleep bruxism were awake bruxism (OR = 5.0, CI 95% 2.56-9.78) and GAS (OR = 1.19; CI 95% 1.11-1.27). Self-reported sleep bruxism significantly increases the odds for awake bruxism and vice versa. Tendency for gagging during dental care slightly increases the odds of both types of self-reported bruxism, but desirability of control is not associated with these phenomena.

PMID: 20557433 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

How to diminish bad mouth odors

Bad breath frequently affects as folks don’t decently taking care of their buccal wellness. The olfactory sensation is commonly induced by decomposing food corpuscles and bacteria in your oral cavity. That’s the reaseon why brushing your dentition is so crucial, but think of softly brushing your tongue to eliminate a lot of bacteria.

A clean tongue is a way to avoiding bad breath, says Jim Bruckner, a dentist in Seattle. “Your tongue at another scale is comparable to a shagged rug. There are billions of fibrils along your tongue that ambuscade lilliputian food corpuscles and bacterium,” he alleges. Get into the habit of on a regular basis cleanup your tongue using a specific tool, the border of a spoonful, or a tongue cleaner. If you’ve whatever oral cavity safeguards or buccal devices, be sure to clean them exhaustively prior to couching them in your oral cavity.

Gargle is not a bad approach, simply it is just a interim pay off. Granted, a small gargle comes out convenient prior to a romanticistic dinner party for 2, simply it blocks out the smell rather than coping with the generator of your trouble.
Chewing gum like it is becoming outdated.

Trust it or not, saliva is your most appropriate friend against this frequent problem. That’s why dry oral cavity, frequently induced by some medicaments or medical circumstances, conducts to smell troubles. By washing out nutrient corpuscles and bacteria, saliva assists to annihilate olfactory property, as well.

If you are questioning how come your breath malodors in the morning time, it is for the most part as saliva production decelerates as you rest, leaving corpuscles and aroma to dawdle a longer period of time. That’s why nonsweet chewing gum comes out convenient, as jawing them will cause saliva product. Mints, on the other way, do not normally provoke saliva production and exclusively momentally block out abominable smell.

“While you masticate chewing gum it causes you salivate, and the additional saliva you’ve in your oral cavity the less bacterium you’ve. It not entirely automatically rinses bacterium away, but we get disinfectant and enzymes in our saliva that defeat bacterium,” states Bruckner.

By: Sallingo lingo

Better Solutions for Tooth Implants and Dental Bridges

It is a common practice nowadays to travel to foreign countries to avail specialized medical treatment. When you want a specific surgery done or wish to receive a specific medical treatment, you may find that the best resources for that may not be available in your own country. In such cases, you can travel to that part of the world which offers the best services for the kind of treatment you seek and get yourself treated there. This practice constitutes the essence of what is known as medical tourism.

When it comes to dentistry or specialized dental treatment and surgery such as working with dental bridges or tooth implants, or advanced corrective and cosmetic surgery, certain European countries are preferred over other parts of the world. Of these, the latest name on the list is that of Hungary.

Hungary is fast emerging as a popular destination for those wishing to receive dental services away from home. If you’re looking for a dentist abroad, try searching for one amidst the flourishing dentistry industry of Hungary. Budapest, the capital city, houses many specialty dental clinics that offer a wide range of dental treatment services. A multilingual staff, state-of-the-art equipment, complete dental care and a wide range of services are attracting thousands to Hungary from all over the world. It’s time you booked your flight too.

A dental implant is best entrusted to an expert surgeon. Dental implants help in restoring or sculpturing a smile that looks and feels very natural. The process essentially involves the surgical placing of artificial implants below the gums over a series of appointments which fuse to the jawbone over time and eventually serve as a base for individual replacement teeth, bridges or a denture.

A dental bridge is generally made of porcelain fused to metal, gold or metal-free zirconium, and are used by cosmetic dentistry experts to replace missing teeth or fill up unsightly gaps. Bridges are placed on the neighboring teeth or dental implants and hence they help restore your bite and create a pleasant smile by gapping the missing tooth.

No doubt, dental implantation and dental bridge etc. are complex procedures. Hence, choose a trained and qualified dentist to perform such surgeries.

By: Anirban Bhattacharya

The art of flossing and its benefits

Most people believe that to brush their teeth at least once a day is enough to ensure a set of good healthy teeth. This perception is wrong and is root cause of oral diseases. Firstly, brushing cleans you teeth to a great extent but the bristles often miss smaller fragments of food and already present dental plaque as well as decay causing germs stuck between your teeth. Secondly, at least two proper brushings are required a day, once after waking up or after having breakfast, and once just after supper or before going to bed. Another necessity for healthy teeth and gums is flossing - and more than most people ignore that aspect completely because it means more work. Flossing benefits the teeth and gums in many ways and should not be ignored.

Prevents tooth decay due to the presence of dental plaque

Plaque forms when particles of food harden and stick to the teeth over the course of time. If left between the tooth gaps, plaque develops and can cause cavities. The bacteria present in the plaque can start the decay process in the teeth, and when mixed over time with sugar from chocolate, sweets and fizzy drinks, causes tooth decay. The sugar becomes a catalyst for decay over time. Brushing your teeth has its limitations. There are many places where the bristles of your brush may not reach, and these places usually end up developing plaque and cavities - flossing regularly gets rid of the plaque easily, leaving your mouth germ and decay free, and your gums healthy.

To prevent gum disease

Gum disease - also known as gingivitis or periodontal disease - is caused by the presence of plaque between teeth and between the gums and the teeth. The surest sign of this problem is the inflammation of the gums. Flossing regularly removes plaque and not only prevents tooth decay, but gum disease as well.

To prevent bad breath

Having bad breath - called halitosis in medical terms - is a common problem faced by not millions but billions of people all over the world. Most of us wake up every morning with bad breath and can't really talk to anyone unless we use mouthwash or brush our teeth first. The reason for bad breath again is the accumulation of dental plaque. The bacteria in the plaque cause the smell, which, in chronic cases, can be almost unbearable. Regular flossing may not have the direct impact on bad breath as toothpaste or mouthwash, but it can remove the cause of bad breath and prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Flossing slows down the buildup of tartar: Plaque hardens over time to form tartar, and while regular dental cleansing by a professional dental hygienist is the only way to remove tartar completely, flossing slows this process down considerably and thus prevents decay.
Prevents complications for diabetics and heart patient by removing the germs in the plaque, flossing prevents the bacterial organisms from reaching vital organs through the blood stream.

By: Edith Wright

Oral hygiene

The most important and often overlooked form of self healthcare is oral hygiene. Many people never really think about the dentist unless they are forced to do so because of a real problem. Regular oral hygiene is important because it is the only way to ensure that one would never have to think of the dentist anyway - rather than wait while a problem develops slowly and quietly and hits with a lot f pain one day. Regular oral care keeps the dentist's drill away and your teeth shiny white and your gums healthy and clean. Daily cleansing and proper care includes regular actions that should be carried out.

Why Brush twice a day - everyday?

When toothpaste ads asked us to brush twice a day, they weren't kidding; many of us love to keep munching on small snacks, sweets or healthy food like nuts and fruit - we even unconsciously open the refrigerator door and drink half a pint of juice without even thinking!
Leaving food particles in your mouth for too long is the basis of most cavities and infections which might develop. Brushing twice a day, ideally once before and after each night's sleep - is absolutely necessary. Brushing cleans particles off your teeth regularly restores and protects the enamel. Finding the right brush - soft medium or hard - which suits your gums and your brushing style is also very important - people who brush vigorously and with a vengeance, for instance, should use soft brushes.

Fresh breath and a clean and healthy mouth - use mouth-wash

Using a mouthwash a few times a day helps with the biggest oral problem everyone faces every day bad breath!... eating food or even leaving your mouth dry and stale for long enough can give you breath that can knock down a horse if you so much as said 'hello' When dental plaque forms as a result of leftover food particles, it produces the decay which causes the smell. A mouthwash kills the germs which collect in your mouth and become the cause of bad breath. It also cleans the inner lining and around the gums - leaving you with a clean set of teeth, fewer germs and great smelling breath.

Flossing: the forgotten necessity

Often small particles of food get lodged between your teeth and remain there despite repeated brushing. These particles become the cause of plague and cavities in time if not removed quickly, and flossing is the only way to get these particles out cleanly.

By: Edith Wright

How headaches relate to your teeth

The reasons behind headaches have been hotly debated by researchers for a long time. The accepted explanations range from the biomechanical action and muscle tension in facial muscles to deep rooted psychological stresses, however, there are reasons which many people are not aware of - the relationship between the upper and lower jaw and the muscles that control jaw movement may well be a cause of headaches! While physicians help you understand and fight or cure yourself of headaches, your dentist may have a bigger part to play than you realize.

Types of headaches

As we all know - and most of us have unfortunately experienced at least two types - there are several kinds of headaches, many of which are fairly common and have well understood causes, while others may have special reasons. It is always the prudent thing to consult a physician if headaches are a frequent thing - and you may be surprised by what you can learn about the relationship between your headaches and your physiology. The most commonly experienced
types of aches are;

Sinus: A sinus ache is located behind the cheekbones and the brow and is caused by a problem with the sinus.

Migraine: A migraine may have several reasons. It is a headache which usually affects some parts of the head while not affecting other parts, and the pain is known to travel. Nausea is a common indicator.

Cluster: a cluster pain in usually in and around one of the eyes and is usually considered to be an eye-strain by people and dismisses as such, however, a physician should be consulted to find the cause.

Tension: A tension headache is located across the forehead and is usually described as a pressure or painful tension across the forehead with a sensation as though the sufferer were wearing a very tight headband.

Tension Headaches and their dental reason

Researchers have claimed that tension headaches make up about 70% of all headaches suffered by people on a regular basis. This ache is related to the muscles in the forehead and usually originates from the forehead. If such headaches are infrequent, normal mild pain medication, easily bought without the need for prescription, are available at all local pharmacies. If, however, such aches are frequent, it may well be worthwhile to consult your dentist too - yes! You read it right! Your headaches may have dental reasons too!

Why our jaw can cause us a pain elsewhere

The muscles of the temple (forehead) are connected with your jaw and are very important in the posture and the action of your jaw - specifically in the 'closing' of the jaw. Sometimes, the 'bite' or occlusion of your upper and lower teeth may be incorrect - your upper and lower set of teeth may be misaligned and may not 'fit' together correctly. While this malocclusion is common in most people, those with a more pronounced malocclusion may experience built-up tension in the muscles of the forehead. If this tension builds up over a long time and the bite is not corrected, it may cause stress on the muscles, causing circulation to be hindered - the lack of circulation and therefore oxygen causes aches.

How you know your'bite' is the cause and what you can do if it is

Modern equipment is used to examine the state of the affected muscles and the structure of the skull and jaw - this examination can be conducted by a dentist with a high level of accuracy in order to see if the reason is the bite. If the reason is indeed the bite, dentists recommend orthodontic treatment usually requiring an orthotic device (a customized plastic device worn over the teeth) to correct the bite and the malocclusion in short term. If correcting the bite helps, a more permanent orthodontic solution such as permanent correction is recommended (other options may also be available).

By: Edith Wright