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Don't Let Dieting Impact Your Oral Health

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Don't Let Dieting Impact Your Oral Health

Like many people who need to lose a few pounds, I try diet after diet in an attempt to find one that finally works for me. I learned the hard way that I need to make sure any diet will not harm my teeth, even if it does help me lose a few pounds. I learned this lesson when following a grapefruit diet. There are many versions of this, but the version I tried had me eat a grapefruit alone several times each day. It was supposed to suppress my appetite. I helped keep me from munching on unhealthy snacks, but the acid in the fruit took a toll on my tooth enamel and I quickly started getting lots of cavities. I created this blog to remind people that change up their diets often to make sure the foods they are eating are not harming their teeth.

3 Oral Health Concerns That Pop Up During Pregnancy

5 January 2016
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

During your pregnancy, you are focused on keeping yourself healthy so that you can support your developing baby. While it is important to watch your activity level, weight, and diet, it is also important to continue caring for your oral health during your pregnancy. Your oral health is tied to your overall health. Keeping regular appointments with your dentist during your pregnancy helps to keep your oral tissues healthy and can also help you to address the new concerns that pop up during pregnancy. Here are three oral health concerns that pop up during pregnancy.

X-rays during pregnancy

You need to take extra precautions to protect your developing baby from x-ray radiation during pregnancy. However, that does not mean that you cannot have a dental x-ray during your pregnancy. Talk to your dentist about how far along you are in your pregnancy when making your appointment. You also want to make sure that you are not uncomfortable sitting for long periods in the dentist's chair; therefore, it is ideal to have your appointment before the end of your second trimester. A leaded apron and a protective thyroid collar worn during dental x-rays protect your baby from radiation, allowing your dentist to use an important diagnostic tool for your oral health.

Increased incidence of cavities

Pregnant women tend to suffer from an increased incidence of cavities. There are a number of reasons for this. Hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy increase cavity rates, and women produce less saliva while they are pregnant. This makes your mouth far more acidic, which puts you at risk for developing more cavities. During pregnancy, you are also more likely to experience intense food cravings, leading you to eat more acidic, sugary foods that can leave residues behind on your teeth. The best thing you can do is keep appointments with your doctor, brush your teeth frequently, and drink fluoridated water to re-mineralize your teeth.

A surge of gingivitis

During pregnancy, hormonal changes and fluctuations can also cause you to experience a surge of symptoms related to gingivitis. An increased level of progesterone makes it easier for the bacteria that causes gingivitis to grow in your mouth, leaving you with bleeding and swollen gums. Do your best to keep your mouth clean. Also make sure that you are eating and drinking foods that alleviate the symptoms of gingivitis, such as green tea. Green tea helps to reduce inflammation in your gums.

For more information, contact Kappenman Family Dental or a similar location.