DENTISTRY WHILE PREGNANT

You go to your doctor for routine check-ups with your body, but what your OB-GYN doesn’t check is your oral health. Maintaining good oral health while pregnant is totally safe and something that is often overlooked during the duration of pregnancy. As your hormones change, your risk of developing gum disease increases.

Keeping your oral health in good standing all year long will help in case you can’t get a routine check-up in before you get pregnant. With increased risk for periodontal disease, dental appointments are more necessary than ever. Once you reach your second trimester, your dentist will work with you to keep dental exams safe and healthy for both you and your baby, putting off any elective dental procedures until after the baby is born.

Dental procedures such as root canals, x-rays, or other procedures that require anesthesia can be postponed until after the baby is born. Even in the event of an emergency, advanced dental technology has made x-rays much safer, and our dental staff will use cautionary measures to keep mom and baby safe.

During pregnancy, pay attention to symptoms such as tenderness in the gums, bleeding gums, swelling, or other unusual pains. If you notice any of these, contact your Raleigh dentist immediately. These could be signs of periodontal disease and should be treated right away.

If you have questions about the safety of dentistry while pregnant, call our friendly staff at Better Dentistry.

Some common dental problems related to poor oral hygiene

Tooth decay (caries)

When holes form in parts of the enamel of a tooth, it is know as caries. A main cause of caries is due to a build-up of plaque. The germs (bacteria) in the plaque react with sugars and starches in food to form acids. The acids are kept next to the teeth by the sticky plaque and dissolve the tooth enamel. If you have tooth decay you may need fillings, crowns or inlays.

Gum disease (periodontal disease)

Gum disease means infection or inflammation of the tissues that surround the teeth. Most cases of gum disease are plaque-related. Plaque contains many different types of bacteria and a build-up of some types of bacteria is associated with developing gum disease.

Depending on the severity, gum disease is generally divided into two types - gingivitis and periodontitis:

• Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. There are various types. However, most cases of gingivitis are caused by plaque.
• Periodontitis occurs if gingivitis becomes worse and progresses to involve the tissue that joins the teeth to the gums (the periodontal membrane).

Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. It is also a main cause of bad breath (halitosis). However, gum disease is often treatable. (See separate leaflet called Dental Plaque and Gum Disease for details.)

Tooth (dental) erosion
Tooth erosion is a common problem. It is the gradual erosion of tooth enamel by the action of acid on the teeth. This is different to damage caused by bacteria resulting in tooth decay and caries. Tooth erosion affects the entire surface of the tooth. In time, tooth erosion can cause thinned enamel, and eventually can expose the softer dentine underneath the enamel. Dentine is sensitive so erosion can lead to your teeth being more sensitive to hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks.

When Was Your Last Dental Checkup?

If you can’t remember the last time that you went to the dentist, that is likely a good indication that you need to now. You keep up with the gardening and make sure that your car gets regular tune-ups. You should also make sure that you are doing the same for your teeth. If you are wondering why dental checkups are so important here are a few reasons.

You Are At High Risk for Oral Diseases:

If you are at high risk of developing oral diseases due to other health problems or because you have had an oral disease in the past, it is extremely important that you get dental checkups. Even if you have great oral hygiene, bacteria can still get into your mouth and cause a problem, especially if your immune system is depressed. Going to a dentist for a checkup could help to detect a problem before it turns into a full blown infection.

More Thorough Cleaning:

Reaching certain parts of your mouth can be difficult to do with a traditional toothbrush and floss. The dentist can clean your teeth with professional grade products giving your teeth a more thorough clean than what you might get at home. In addition, dentists often finish a cleaning with a polishing or sealant that will protect your teeth against stains and cavities. The extra protection that you get from visiting a dental office for a cleaning could save your teeth in the long run.

Get a Checkup At Least Every Six Month:

Getting a dental checkup at least every six months is recommended if you want to keep your oral health in good shape. A dentist will examine the inside of your mouth, teeth gums, cheeks and tongue to see if there are any potential problems. Going for a checkup will also give you the opportunity to discuss any oral health issues with your dentist. This way you can also become a more active partner in maintaining your oral health.

Save You Money:

Getting a checkup at the dentist can also save you money in the long run. Going for a checkup means that potential problems can be detected earlier. This means that you won’t have to have such extensive work done as might be required if the problem were to be detected later on. Getting a dental checkup may even mean the difference between keeping your teeth and losing them if you have suffered tooth decay.
For people that get regular dental checkups, the dentist can also monitor your oral health more closely in order to determine if your current oral care methods are really helping to improve your mouth.

If you have not seen a dentist lately, now is a good time to make an appointment. Click here to request an appointment with 32 Pearls Dental Care today!

Have you ever wondered how much sugar is in the foods and drinks we consume?

Not many of us will take too much notice about the amount of sugars in our favorite snacks and teatime treats but maybe we should.

The effects which added sugars are having on both our general and dental health can be highly damaging, especially when consumed frequently.

When sugar reacts with the bacteria in plaque, the acids which are formed attack the teeth and destroy the enamel. If this occurs often, the tooth enamel may break down, forming a hole or 'cavity' and causing tooth decay. This almost always leads to fillings and could even result in teeth having to be extracted.


To uncover some of the sugary secrets in our top snacks and drinks, we at Dental Helpline have to put together a few short tables revealing exactly how much sugar you will find in them.

Biscuit

Product	Amount per 100g	Sugar Content in Teaspoons
Chocolate Digestive	29.2g	1.2 tsp (5.1g per biscuit)
Chocolate Wafer-Fully coated	34.7g	2.62 tsp (10.49g per biscuit)
Custard Cread Biscuits	29.8g	0.87 tsp (3.5g per biscuit)
Digestive Biscuits	16.6g	0.63 tsp (2.5g per biscuit)
Ginger nuts	31g	0.77 tsp (3.1g per biscuit)
Jaffa Cakes	52g	3.25 tsp (13g per two biscuits)
Rich Tea Biscuits	20.1g	0.42 tsp (1.7g per biscuit)
Savory	5.3g	0.05 tsp (0.2g per biscuit)
Shortcake	16g	0.53 tsp (2.1g per biscuit)

Confectionary

Product	Amount per 100g	Sugar Content in Teaspoons
Bounty 2 Bar Pack	57.8g	8.23 tsp (32.9g)
Chrunchie	61.7g	6.18 tsp (24.7g)
Kit Kat	47.8g	0.75 tsp (3g per two finger)
Liquorice Allsorts	61.9g	0.93 tsp (3.7g per sweep)
Mars Bar	68.1g	10.7 tsp (42.6g per bar)
Milk Chocolate	52.8g	2.2 tsp (8.8g per three squares)
Milky Way 2 Bar Pack	72.4g	7.93 tsp (31.7g)
Pepper Mints	56.8g	1.2 tsp (4.8g per sweet)
Plain Chocolate	46.8g	1.95 tsp (7.8g per three squares)
Snickers Bar	54.5g	7.9 tsp (31.6g)
Toffees	37.4g	0.78 tsp (3.1g per sweet)
Twix 2 Bar Pack	64.5g	9.5 tsp (38g)

Tinned Vegetables

Product	Amount per 100g	Sugar Content in Teaspoons
Baked Beans	5g	2.58 tsp (10.3g per half a tin)
Peas	1.7g	0.33 tsp (1.3g per 80g serving)
Sweetcorn-Kernels	3.9g	0.63 tsp (2.5g 1/4 can)

Soft Drinks

Product	Amount per 100g	Sugar Content in Teaspoons
Blackcurrant	9.7g in concentrate	1.23 tsp (4.9g per 250ml serving)
Cranberry Juice	11.6g	7.25 tsp (29g per 250ml serving)
Coca Cola	10.6g	6.63 tsp (26.5g per 250ml serving)
Ginger Ale	9.1g	5.63 tsp (22.5g pet 250ml serving)
Lemonade	3.5g	2.2 tsp (8.89g in 250ml serving)
Lucozade Sport	3.5g	4.38 tsp (17.5g per 500ml bottle)
Milkshake Powder	91.1g	6.95 tsp (27.8g 25g in 200ml S/S milk)
Orange Squash	13g in concentrate	1.63 tsp (6.5 in 250ml serving)
Tonic Water	5.1g	3.2 tsp (12.8g per 250 ml serving)

Soups

Product	Amount per 100g	Sugar Content in Teaspoons
Tin Tomato Soup	4.9g	2.45 tsp (9.8g in half a tin)
Packet Minestrone	2g	1.25 tsp (5g as prepared)

Spreads

Product	Amount per 100g	Sugar Content in 15g serving
Chocolate Spread	50g	1.88 tsp (7.5g)
Honey	84.7g	3.18 tsp (12.7g)
Jam	52.3g	1.95 tsp (7.8g)
Lemon Curd	53.7g	2.03 tsp (8.1g)
Marmalade	66g	2.48 tsp (9.9g)
Syrup	80.5g	3.1 tsp (12.4g)
Treacle	64g	2.4 tsp (9.6g)
Peanut Butter-smooth	6g	0.23 tsp (0.9g)

Cereals

Product	Amount per 100g	Sugar Content in Teaspoons
All Bran	22g	1.75 tsp (7g per 30g serving)
Bran flakes	22g	1.75 tsp (7g per 30g serving)
Cornflakes	8g	0.63 tsp (2.5g per 30g serving)
Muesli-Swiss style	23.1g	2.6 tsp (10.4g per 45g serving)
Rice Crispies	10g	0.75 tsp (3g per 30g serving)
Shreddies	14.9g	1.5 tsp (6g per 40g serving)
Shredded Wheat	0.9g	0.01 tsp (0.4g per 45g serving)
Special K	17g	1.25 tsp (5g per 30g serving)
Sugar Puffs	36.3g	2.65 tsp (10.6g per 30g serving)

Cakes

Product	Amount per 100g	Sugar Content in Teaspoons
Chocolate Fudge Cake	30.2g	6.6 tsp (26.4g per 1/8 cake)
Country Slice	41.6g	3.18 tsp (12.7g per slice)
Madeira Cake	30.8g	6.7 tsp (26.5g per slice)
Scones - Fruit	22.4g	2.3 tsp (9.2g per scone)
Sponge Cake with Jam	36g	3.7 tsp (14.8g per 1/6 cake)

Desserts

Product	Amount per 100g	Sugar Content in Teaspoons
Creamed Rice Pudding	9g	3.05 tsp (12.2g per pot)
Fruit Cocktail in Juice	13g	4.35 tsp (17.39g 1/3 can)
Fruit Yoghurt	8.6g	2.7 tsp (10.8g per pot)
Jelly	15g	5.05 tsp (20.2g 135g pot)
Ice Cream Sauce	66.8g	2.5 tsp (10.3g per 15g serving)
Ice Cream - vanilla	21g	2.5 tsp (10g 2 scoops)
Instant Custard	6.9g	3.05 tsp (12.2 1/4 pint)
Instant Dessert Powder	53.9g	2.9 tsp (11.6g per 92g serving)

Beverages

Product	Amount per 100g	Sugar Content in Teaspoons
Drinking Chocolate	58.1g	4.08 tsp (16.3g) in water
Horlicks	37.7g	4.78 tsp (19.1g) in S/S milk
Ovaltine	37.2g	2.33 tsp (9.3g) in water

Sauces & Pickles

Product	Amount per 100g	Sugar Content in Teaspoons
Brown Sauce	19g	0.5 tsp (2.0g)
Salad Cream	17.5g	0.65 tsp (2.6g)
Sweet Pickle	23.9g	1 tsp (4g)
Tomato Ketchup	23.7g	1 tsp (4g)

All amounts are shown in both natural and added sugars combined.