In years past, pregnant women were warned against going to the dentist out of fear for the effects on the unborn child. Today, however, dentists and obstetricians know that proper dental prevention and care is one of the most important aspects of a healthy pregnancy. With notification of the pregnancy and any current medications at each appointment, dentists and their staffs can take proper precautions for the safety of both mother and child.
The Importance of Dental Care During Pregnancy
According to the American Dental Association, too many pregnant women are choosing to ignore or self-medicate dental pain rather than seeing a physician. This delay in seeing a medical professional can lead to even more significant and painful issues.
Because of changing hormones in a pregnant woman’s body, gum inflammation, or gingivitis, affects two-thirds of pregnant patients. The swelling can lead to excessive bleeding from the gums, as well as the possibility of trapping food in the enlarged gums. When this inflammation is left unchecked, it can develop into periodontal disease, a complaint that can lead to widespread tooth decay and loss. Not only does this form of gum disease affect the mother for the rest of her life, but gum disease has also been linked to preterm birth.
Everyone knows that Valentine’s Day is a time for love – and dates. This means you want to be able to smile without embarrassment. You want to look real and have some self-esteem when you do part those lips and show those beautiful teeth. You also want to have fresh breath so that you can give that kiss without having to cut it short, or worry about having bad breath.
Get Your Teeth Looking Their Best
If you are concerned about how your smile looks, you can get ready for your Valentine’s date by getting teeth cleaning and teeth whitening at your local dentist’s office. Afterwards, you can have confidence in your smile and you can be sure that your date would be glad to kiss someone with a beautiful smile.
Having white and clean teeth will also help you deal with bad breath. When kissing, it can sure cause things to be cut short – and on Valentine’s Day you don’t want that to happen. This can sometimes be caused with bacteria in your mouth left between brushings because a toothbrush cannot get to it. A cleaning can help remove tartar, plaque and other bacteria that will cause bad breath.
While an injury to your gums or teeth may not be life-threatening, dental emergencies should never be ignored. Ignoring a problem like a chipped tooth or a lost crown can lead to discomfort, pain, permanent damage, or the need for more extensive and costly treatment down the road.
When you’re faced with a dental emergency, you can take the steps below until you’re able to see your dentist.
Knocked-Out Tooth
When a permanent tooth has been knocked out, it’s important to keep the tooth moist. If the tooth is allowed to dry out, it can’t be saved. Handle the tooth with care; do not scrub the tooth, wrap it in tissue, or touch it anywhere but the crown to minimize damage. After retrieving and rinsing the tooth under running water, you can try to place it back in the gums. Don’t try to force it in place, however. If the tooth can’t be reinserted in the gums, you can store it in a container of milk or, if possible, a special tooth-preserving liquid like Save-a-Tooth.
The sooner you see your dentist, the greater the chances that the tooth can be saved. Your dentist may be able to restore the tooth back to the socket if you’re treated within one hour.
In the same way as there are specialties in different fields of medicine such as neurology or ophthalmology, dentists also have the choice to specialize. Orthodontics is a dental specialty which deals with prevention, diagnosis and treatment of facial and dental irregularities. Orthodontics mainly deals with improper positioning of teeth. A person may have overcrowded teeth, an overbite, underbite, crooked teeth or jaw misalignment which can lead to speech or eating problems. It is in such cases that orthodontic treatment is recommended to slowly change teeth positioning to be straight and aligned. Orthodontists are qualified dentists who embark on an additional three years of university level study and gain extensive clinical experience in an orthodontic practice. A major dilemma people have when experiencing teeth problems is whether to go to a dentist or orthodontist. Well, it boils down to what kind of treatment you need. Both specialists have a valuable role in maintaining your dental health and will often work together to offer holistic treatments. If your dentist thinks you need orthodontic work, he or she will refer you to a specialist orthodontist. A dentist can help with general dental, cosmetic work or extraction of a tooth to complement orthodontic work.
A person should be patient with many of life’s processes, but urgent dental care is not one of them. If you are suffering from a tooth problem, you know how frustrating it is to get on the list for an appointment with a regular dental office. Your appointment may be a week or month away, but you need help ASAP. If you’re in pain, you do not see waiting as a favorable option. An emergency dentist may be solution you need to alleviate your pain and get back on track with life. Visit our emergency dentistry page to make an appointment now.
There is nothing more exciting to a parent than witnessing the growth of a baby’s first tooth. The joy that is felt when the tiny tooth pokes through the gums is unexplainable. As teeth begin to emerge, parents become concerned about how to best care for their baby’s teeth. One of the first actions that needs to be taken is to get a top dentist who has vast experience working with pediatric dentistry. Dr. Bruce Vafa, DDS and Smile Angels of Beverly Hills can help parents protect the teeth of their precious babies.
Parents should create a routine for caring for their baby’s oral health. This routine can begin months before the first sign of a tooth appears. Parents can begin with caring for and protecting their baby’s gums. Although the gums may not be as exciting as the baby’s first teeth, gums are important to a baby’s oral health. They need to be cared for as much as the teeth because healthy gums create healthy teeth.
In addition to visiting the dentist regularly, people should learn how to properly care for and maintain their oral health. Two of the primary ways to maintain a healthy mouth is brushing and flossing teeth correctly.
Proper brushing and flossing can enable your teeth to last for years. Not only do these actions keep the breath fresh, they also have been shown to prevent tooth decay and cavities.
Since these are daily routines, many people go through the motions and complete these activities without a second thought. In the midst of the morning rush, brushing and flossing are frequently done incorrectly and ineffectively.
Dr. Bruce Vafa, top Beverly Hills dentist, recommends that people learn and use the proper techniques of brushing and flossing. The benefits of brushing and flossing are experienced when done correctly. It is just as important as visiting the dentist twice a year for routine check-ups. Dr. Vafa recommends the following tips for successful brushing and flossing.
The American Dental Association stated that tooth decay causes American children to lose millions of hours of education every year and causes pain in children as well. The ADA also stated regular dental exams are just as important as children receiving vaccinations and shots. The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest children should receive regular back to school dental exams. Los Angeles Children Dentist, Bruce Vafa DDS. offers a gentel touch for all your children dental needs.
Dr. Bruce Vafa, DDS in Beverly Hills announced recently that his practice is working with several local talent agencies to provide their clients with the best smiles possible. Dr. Bruce Vafa had previously partnered with Hangover 2 Movie team to film it at his Beverly Hills dental office. Talent agencies are excited to retain the services of such an experienced dentist. Aspiring models, actresses, and actors are gaining the dental smile makeovers they need to stand above the rest in the competitive world of entertainment in Hollywood. His plush office in Beverly Hills serves the Hollywood community with the latest dental equipment with luxurious amenities that help patients of all ages in comfort and style.
Dr. Vafa is highly skilled to be able to fix the most difficult of dental problems and give his patients beautiful teeth. He also maintains teeth by way of routine checkups to keep your mouth looking great for the long run. Whether you need a checkup to keep your smile or full mouth reconstruction services, Dr. Vafa is ready to create the smile you deserve.
When to use toothpaste for your Children Many parents ask Beverly Hills Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Vafa, how early they can start using toothpaste on their children. Good oral health care is vital for children’s overall health. As soon as you notice your child’s teeth start to break through, you should start to clean them but
