Can pregnancy cause dental problems? – This is a question so many expecting mummy’s ask and it’s a great question. For all those women who are expecting their bundle of joy and experiencing dental issues, or for those who are trying, here is everything you need to know about dental problems and pregnancy.

SIGNS OF DENTAL ISSUES

Pregnancy is wonderful, yet for some it can be tough. Throw dental problems such as:

• Sore gums
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Toothache

Mouth sores and it may not be a very glamorous, joyful experience. These are the most common symptoms women experience when pregnant.

WHAT DENTAL ISSUES CAN BE CAUSE THROUGH PREGNANCY? 

If you are expecting a baby and you start to notice dental issues, it can worrying. Pregnancy can cause some dental issues to surface for instance:

• Pregnancy Tumor – (please don’t panic the name makes it sound scarier than it is). This is more common in the second trimester due to the hormonal changes. Pregnancy tumor is when an overgrowth of tissues appear in the gums. (it is not cancerous). It usually starts to improve after pregnancy.
• Pregnancy Gingivitis – Swelling and inflammation of the gums due to the growth of bacteria on the teeth resulting in plaque. This irritates the gums, making them red, swollen and sensitive and even bleed. This is caused by the hormone changes the body is undergoing, this has an impact to the way the gums react to plaque buildup.
• Increased Acidity – one of the joys of pregnancy is the probability to increased acid reflux and heartburn, put this along side some morning sickness and it will elevate the acid level in your mouth; which could erode your teeth. If you notice this, it is so important to maintain a proper dental hygiene. Along side brushes twice daily, regularly washing your mouth can help.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU EXPERIENCE DENTAL ISSUES WHILE PREGNANT 

If you are experiencing any dental issues that you are concerned about while pregnant, the best cause for action is to visit your dentist. They can diagnose the issue and recommend the most  appropriate treatment.

Dentist check up while pregnant are extremely important and safe. Dental check ups can help you avoid any prolonged complications that may arise if your dental problems are left unattended.

If you do not have a dentist and feel you need to see one, Smile Centre offer a free meet and greet  appointment, alongside a fabulous Smile Plans to make private dentistry that enough more affordable, and for you to receive the dental treatment you deserve. If you want more information, please get in contact Contact Us with the Smiles team and let them start your dentistry journey.

Due to the current ongoing pandemic we find ourselves in, we are unable to offer any tours around the practice. Don’t be disappointed we have a excellent virtual tour, head over and check it out. YouTube

 

 

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR TOOTH HAS BEEN KNOCKED OUT? 

When you lose a tooth, it is scary! You can’t help but worry about the thought of being without a tooth.

If your tooth does get knocked out, don’t panic! – you will never be without a tooth. In this day and age there are wonderful things in place to either save the tooth or replace it.

WHAT TO DO?

If an adult tooth comes out, there are a few things you can do to help save the tooth before going to the dentist, for example:

• Hold it by the crown ( the white part that sticks out of the gum) what ever you do, do not touch the root.
• Lick if clean (If it’s yours) if dirty, Alternatively you can rinse it under cold water. Do not do this for more than 10 seconds.
• Try and put it back in – If you can not put it back in easily, either:

       – Put it in milk ( This contains the correct fluid balance in the root, helping it survive longer)

       – Put it in saliva in a container 

       – Or if you feel confident enough hold it in your cheek until you get to the dentist. 

If the tooth does so back in easily, bite down gently on a clean cloth to help secure it in place. (You will still need to go to the dentist)

WHAT WILL THE DENTIST DO? 

Depending on what above actions you take, will all depend on what the dentist does. For instance:

• If you have managed to get the tooth back in, they will check to make sure it is in the correct position.
• If you have brought it in, in milk or saliva – They will clean it up and try and put it back in.

Regardless of what option, once the dentist is happy that the tooth is in the right place, they will secure it with a splint. You will then need to return a few weeks later for the splint to be removed.

WHAT IF THE TOOTH CAN NOT BE SAVED? 

This is something no-one wants to hear, being without a tooth is so many peoples worse nightmare. However being in 2021 there are so fabulous option out there.

• Dentures
• Implants

• Bridges

Your dentist will discuss with you your options and what one is best for you. But if you want to find out more have a read of dentures or implants. 

BABY TEETH 

If it is a baby tooth that has fallen out, do not attempt to put it back in. This could damage the tooth growing underneath.

If you are unsure whether the tooth is a baby or adult tooth, take it to a dentist. Again in either milk or saliva (from the person who has lost a tooth).

COST 

You may be sat there worrying about how much this will cost. Yes, dentistry treatment can be expensive but can you but a price on your identity? (Check out Top 10 Celebrity Smiles).

Luckily for you the Smiles Centre put their patients at the heart of every decision. We know how vital affordable dentistry is and that’s why we have put together our Smile Plans. Taking the stress away from you, and making the whole experience more enjoyable!

So you can see our work, and how thrilled our patients are with the treatment and service they receive, head over to our Facebook and hit that follow button.

If you have dentistry work that needs doing, and are interested in finding out more about the Smiles Centre, don’t delay your dentistry journey anymore. Get in contact with the Smiles team Contact Us. 

 

 

WHY ARE MY TEETH SENSITIVE? 

WHAT IS TOOTH SESITIVITY?

Tooth sensitivity occurs when the enamel that protects your teeth starts to wear down (gets thinner). When gums recede, they start exposing the underlying surface, the dentin. This will start reducing the amount of protection the enamel and gums provide to the teeth.

WHAT CAUSES TOOTH SENSITIVITY? 

Being a suffer of sensitive teeth can be a real challenge, it can effect our everyday living with having to constantly think about what we put into our mouths. If you experience sensitivity you are going to want to find out wants causing you discomfort. I wish there was one definitive answer but unfortunately there are many reasons that could be the root cause.

• Brushing too hard: It could be something really simple like brushing too aggressively and using a hard toothbrush. This eventually starts to wear down the enamel, a key factor to sensitive teeth.
• Tooth Erosion: It comes back to ‘watching what you put into your mouth’, tooth erosion is causes by consuming highly acidic food and drink.

• Tooth Decay: This links with tooth erosion. Leaky fillings, broken teeth that expose the dentin of your teeth will cause sensitive teeth. If you think you suffer from tooth decay, have a read of What causes teeth to decay? and book any appointment to see your dentist.
• Gum Recession: Again gum recession will cause root exposure. This will lead to tooth sensitivity.
• Grinding your teeth: Believe it or not grinding teeth is very common and yet so many are aware they even do it. Any yes, grinding your teeth could be the answer to ‘ Why are my teeth sensitive’. If you think grinding your teeth could be the cause to sensitive teeth, then a trip to the dentist may be in order.
• Post dental treatment: Sensitive teeth can be a common symptom to some dentistry work, for example: Teeth whitening, fillings and crowns. Sensitive after these treatments are temporary and will go with time.

HOW TO TREAT SENSITVE TEETH? 

The treatment required for sensitive teeth will all depend on what’s causing it and how severe it is. If you are suffering from sensitive teeth the best cause of action is to see your dentist, they will be able to diagnose what’s causing it and put a treatment plan in place. Treated could be directly with the dentist or at home.  This could be as simple changing to a soft toothbrush and a sensitive toothpaste.

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU 

If it’s time to say goodbye to those sensitive teeth then look no further.

We are a privately ran dentist who put our patients at the heart of everything we do. Everyone deserves outstanding dental care, a joyful, affordable experience and with our smiles plans this has been possible for so many. Its wonderful to watch so many enjoying their dental journey. If you would love to find out more about our Smile Plans and services, or just want a friendly chat with a dental guru, please get in touch  Smiles Centre we would love to hear from you.

Head over and check out our fabulous customer reviews on Facebook and while you are there hit that like button.

 

Tooth decay is an issue so many suffer from, yet are still in the unknown on what is it, or most importantly what causes teeth to decay? Before we look into this further, we need to be confident on what tooth decay is.

Tooth Decay

You may be familiar with cavity or cavities, this is tooth decay. It occurs when when the bacteria living in your mouth creates an acid that slowly starts eating away at your teeth. Tooth decay starts with unnoticeable damage to the enamel, progressing to the deeper layer of the tooth. Over a period of time it will eventually reach the pulp. (The pulp of your teeth contain very high- sensitive blood vessels and nerves). This will inevitably lead to tooth lose.

What causes teeth to decay?

Now we know what tooth decay is; it is vital we know what causes teeth to decay, so we can do all we can to prevent it. One of the most common causes for tooth decay is poor oral hygiene.

• Poor oral hygiene: This cause is avoidable and we should all be performing excellent oral hygiene to prevent tooth decay.

What is excellent oral hygiene? So many think excellent oral hygiene is brushing your teeth twice daily for at least 2 minutes. They are mistaken, this is good oral hygiene but alone isn’t always enough to prevent tooth decay. You need to also floss regularly and have regular visits with your hygienist and dentist.

Deep Tooth Crevices and Enamel Issues: Anyone who suffers from either of these are highly likely to suffer from some form of tooth decay, due to the deep crevices allowing bacteria and plaque to grow fairly easily. You can get dental sealant to help – see your dentist for advise.

•  Poor Nutrition: Eating a lot of food that is high is sugars, carbohydrates and acids ultimately will lead to tooth decay over time. Sugary food and drink are bacteria’s best friend, they thrive off them. A lot of our drinks contains acid, but fizzy drinks and juices are the main causes – watching how much you consume will help to prevent tooth decay.
• Dry Mouth Issues: Tooth decay and other dental issues are likely to occur if you suffer from a dry mouth, this is due to the fact saliva helps to reduce the growth of plaque.
• Tooth Grinding: Tooth grinding is very common,many people don’t even realise they are doing it. It usually happens when sleeping or when either stressed or anxious.

• Age: Tooth decay is something that does become more common with age, this is down to many factors; with medication being one along with improper oral hygiene catching up.
• Genetics: Unfortunately for some people they are prone to tooth decay and other dental issues due to genetics; Deep tooth crevices and enamel issues are inherited.

So we now know what causes teeth to decay, but also how we can prevent it. Visiting the dentist and hygienist regularly is the best thing you can do for your teeth. Smiles Centre have a incredible team as well as offering wonderful Smile Plans, allowing you to give your teeth the love and care they need and deserve. If you would like more information about the Smiles plans or on how the fabulous team at Smiles Centre can help you, get in touch Contact Us. The team at Smiles are waiting to help you on your dental journey.

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Why do my gums bleed?

This seems to be a big, maybe even reoccurring problem for many, yet that question we think every time it happens ‘Why do my gums bleed?’ is still unanswered for many. So it’s finally time to find out what could be causing your gums to bleed and how to treat/prevent it.

Why are my gums bleeding? 

Many people think bleeding gums is an automatic sign of gum disease; Yes, it can definitely be a possibility, it isn’t always the sole cause. Their are many other health problems that can cause gums to bleed.

• Brushing too vigorously – Bleeding gums can be caused by something so simple like brushing too hard. To help control this, you can use a soft, bristle brush; brush slowly using gentle back and forth movements at a 45 degree angle. Or invest in a Oral B smart series electric toothbrush. This toothbrush lets you know when you’re brushing too hard. If you know this is something you are prone to doing, invest in this smart toothbrush. Have a read of Are electric toothbrushes better than manual? to see all the other benefits of using an electric toothbrush.
• Wearing poorly fitted dentures- If dentures do not fit correctly, they will be rubbing against the gums, making them sore and maybe even causing some bleeding. If you believe your dentures could be the cause, see your dentist or dental technician as soon as possible. It may be time for some new dentures.

Dental Conditions that causes bleeding gums 

Their are a few dental conditions that could be the root cause to ‘ Why do my gums bleed?’

• Gingivitis- This is usually caused when plaque stays on the gums for too long. The only way to prevent this, is to make sure your are brushing and flossing regularly and visiting a dental hygienist.   – Pregnancy Gingivitis – This is very common during pregnancy, in fact over half of pregnant women experience this. This is partly caused by the hormone changes – it can cause the gums to be more sensitive to the bacteria in the plaque.
• Periodontitis- Periodontitis disease occurs when gingivitis becomes advanced. It is an infection of the gums, jawbone and supportive tissue that connects the teeth and gums. Periodontitis can lead to teeth become loose, and in some severe cases tooth lose.

Health problems  

Personal health problems can also be reasons as to ‘Why do my gums bleed?’ for instance:

• Vitamin K and C deficiencies – can also cause bleeding gums. Please consult your doctor if you think your bleeding gums are not caused by improper dental care. Making sure your diet contains a good balance of vitamins enables you to stay healthy.

Bleeding gums can also be a sign or a more serious illness, like:

• Hemophilia (Impairs the body’s ability to make blood clots)
• Leukemia (Cancer of the blood)

Blood – thinning medication can also cause bleeding gums, like warfarin and aspirin.

How do I know for sure why my gums are bleeding 

Book an appointment with your dentist. They can do a physical examination and determine whether the bleeding gums are down to an underlying issue.

Treatment for bleeding gums 

The first thing to prevent bleeding gums, is good oral hygiene; visiting your dentist at least once a year and your dental hygienist, using a soft bristle or electric toothbrush. By visiting your dentist on a regular basis, they will be able to show you how to clean your teeth correctly and thoroughly, and pick up on any oral diseases early on. Treatments will very depending to your condition.

If you are suffering from bleeding gums and would like to see a dentist, please  Contact Us to book your meet and greet appointment.

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