When I had a badly decayed tooth extracted, I got a partial denture to fill in the gap. I didn't mind it at first, because I was just so happy to have my painful tooth out of my mouth. Over time, I began to get tired of taking it out at night. I asked my dentist if I was could get a dental implant, and he said that my gum disease did not make me a good candidate, but a fixed bridge may be a good option for me. I went with his suggestion, and I have no regrets. I love feeling like I have a real tooth again that I don't have to remove at night. I created this blog to remind other people with a missing tooth that they have many replacement options, and if one is not for you, then try another that may be right.
You may have heard some misinformation about your dental health during your pregnancy. It may even be keeping you from going to a professional general dentist and getting the care you need for you and your baby. Here is the truth behind 3 pregnancy related dental myths you should be aware of.
Each Pregnancy Causes A Woman To Lose One Tooth
You may have heard the urban legend that a woman will lose a tooth for each child they gain. It can lead you to believe that oral health problems during your pregnancy will be inevitable.
While pregnant women are more at risk of developing gum disease that may lead to potential tooth loss, it's preventable by practicing good oral hygiene. If you brush twice a day and floss every a day, you'll be fine.
X-rays Cannot Be Taken While Pregnant
Dental emergencies can happen at any time, even while you are pregnant. There may be a situation that requires you to get a dental x-ray so a problem can be properly diagnosed and treated. Your dentist will need to take a few extra precautions in order to protect the baby that makes the procedure completely safe.
In addition to the standard lead apron, the dentist will also cover your throat so that the thyroid gland is protected from any radiation. Dental x-rays have radiation levels that are much lower than x-rays performed in hospitals, which is what makes x-rays safe to use during pregnancy.
The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measures recommends no more than a radiation exposure of 0.5 mSv each month during pregnancy, and an intraoral x-ray will use approximately .005 mSv of radiation. For comparison, a spinal x-ray uses 1.5 mSv of radiation.
Dental Cleaning Can Dislodge Dangerous Bacteria
While bacteria does become dislodged during a dental cleaning, the amount of bacteria is negligible. These bacteria are already inside your mouth, and your immunity to the bacteria is what will protect your child from becoming infected.
You shouldn't skip any of your regular dental cleanings. These appointments during your pregnancy are crucial in looking for signs of gum disease that can cause your gums to become swollen and painful. If you are not eating the proper foods for your baby because of pain in your gums, those missed dental cleanings will do more harm than good.
If you are currently pregnant or considering becoming pregnant you should let your dentist know. They can take additional care to make sure that you and your baby are healthy and safe.
Share26 June 2015
