If you’re thinking of starting a family, it’s time to be thinking seriously about your dental health. The relationship between your oral health prior to pregnancy and during pregnancy is becoming clearer and clearer with recent research. It’s important that you address dental health issues before pregnancy, because pregnancy may present its own challenges to your oral health.

What does the research show?

First of all, it does not support the old wives’ tale that says you’ll “lose a tooth for every pregnancy,” even though losing teeth can be an outcome of poor dental care during pregnancy due to periodontal disease. (The old wives’ tale was based on the belief that the body would dissolve a tooth to supply additional calcium needed by the developing infant.) Some research findings that support the need for “pre-family dentistry” are as follows:

• More than one study suggests a link between good oral health and fertility. Women seeking fertility treatments were more likely to have bleeding and inflammation of gums than their counterparts who were able to conceive without fertility treatment.
• Somewhere between 60% and 75% of pregnant women will experience gingivitis (often a precursor to more serious periodontal disease).  Hormones associated with pregnancy seem to increase the incidence.
• One study suggests that women with gingivitis or other more serious gum disease are three times as likely to deliver before 37 weeks. Another study suggested that those with severe gum disease were seven times more likely to deliver very early – before 32 weeks.
• Another study suggests that regardless of whether the baby is carried to term or not, it is three times more likely to have a low birth weight (and associated health risks) if the mother has gingivitis during pregnancy.

What are pregnancy tumors?

As many as 10% of pregnant women may develop “pregnancy tumors” – more properly called pyogenic granulomas.  While not cancerous, these growths on the gums can bleed easily and, in some cases, can cause enough discomfort to warrant removal. Even if removed, they may come back. They usually go away on their own after pregnancy.

What can you do before becoming pregnant?

Brush and floss regularly to avoid the plaque build-up that can cause gingivitis. Visit your family dentistry practice for regular dental checkups, and have your teeth cleaned to remove any plaque build-up.  Some information suggests that if plaque does not exist before the pregnancy, the risk of developing pregnancy gingivitis is a fraction of a percent as long as good oral hygiene habits continue during pregnancy.

If you already have inflamed or bleeding gums, see your family dentistry practice to get treatment before you become pregnant if at all possible. If your family dentist isn’t able to provide the needed treatment, he or she will refer you to a periodontist. If you’re having difficulty conceiving, getting your gums in good shape and addressing other health issues may be a less-expensive avenue to try before investing in costly fertility treatments.  Remember, good dental health before and during pregnancy affects not just your own health, but that of your baby.  If you have dental phobia, find a dentist who offers sedation dentistry and get treatment before you become pregnant. Family dentistry practices that offer sedation dentistry may be more “sensitive” and accommodating to your dental anxiety – both before and during your pregnancy.

When are you most susceptible to pregnancy gingivitis?

Risk seems to go up in the second month of pregnancy and peaks around the eighth month. Historically, many women have avoided dental procedures during pregnancy, and that can contribute to risk. This can be a very serious mistake, especially if periodontal disease does develop. One study showed that periodontal therapy reduced the risk of premature birth and low birth weights by 68 percent in women with pregnancy gingivitis. If you’re concerned about risks associated with dental treatment during pregnancy, you may want to make sure to schedule an appointment during your second trimester, or early in your third trimester. No matter what your stage of pregnancy, don’t hesitate to contact your family dentist if you sense that gum disease might be developing.

What is the relationship between gingivitis and premature delivery?

Studies continue to be conducted on this. Pregnancy results in changes to levels of estrogen and progesterone, which may affect the immune system and decrease the woman’s ability to fight off inflammation of the gums. Some studies show that pregnant women with severe periodontitis have elevated levels of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are substances that have an effect on many different bodily functions, and are believed to have an influence on the opening of the cervix and the onset of labor contractions.

Pre-family dentistry planning is important. Getting needed dental treatment before you become pregnant is one of the best gifts you can offer your soon-to-be-conceived child.

For centuries, those about to purchase a horse have taken a look in the horse’s mouth as a means of assessing the wisdom of their investment – outward appearances can be misleading. Primarily, horse buyers have been looking for distinct and quite reliable indicators of the horse’s actual age. In recent decades, there’s growing evidence of the importance of looking in humans’ mouths – not so much to determine age, but to potentially predict problems with not only their oral health, but also their general health.

The connections between oral health and general health are truly amazing. If anxiety about dental treatment is causing you to avoid needed treatment – especially for periodontal disease – then you need to start looking for a Raleigh sedation dentist.

Periodontal disease has been shown to have a strong relationship (causative in many cases) to the following medical situations:

· Cardiovascular issues (heart attacks and strokes) – Studies are ongoing to establish periodontal disease as having a causative effect.

· Premature delivery/low birth weight – Observations and studies show a strong tie to the mother’s gum disease, if it exists.

· Diabetes control – That people with diabetes are prone to gum disease has been known for many, many decades, but newer studies suggest that untreated gum disease can make it hard to control blood sugar levels.

· Respiratory health – In hospitals and nursing homes, evidence suggests that severe gum disease can result in inhalation of bacteria and the development of bacterial pneumonia. Studies are also being used to determine whether gum disease causes flares of respiratory disease in people with COPD.

See a Raleigh Sedation Dentist – For Your Health

A sedation dentist can work with you to overcome your dental anxiety and get the treatment you need. This is particularly important if you are suffering from or beginning to develop gum disease. If you have considered looking for a Raleigh sedation dentist but have been concerned about the safety of using sedation, you can feel more assured than ever. In 2009, the NC Dental board enacted formal guidelines for the administration of sedation by dentists. The dental board now certifies that dentists who have permits to practice sedation dentistry have the necessary training and experience to do it safely. The number of Raleigh sedation dentists is limited, but you owe it to yourself and to your family to find one and get the dental treatment you need to take care of your general health as well as your dental health.

Believe it or not, it’s not because we like to hear ourselves talk! It’s about trying to make you feel relaxed and comfortable. Every member of our staff wants to make you more comfortable during your visit. In fact, our offices – from the reception area to the exam rooms – were also specially designed to help you feel relaxed during your visit.

And yes, we’ll probably start a conversation while you’re in the chair. The main reason is that talking is a distraction.  (That’s why using a cell phone while driving can be hazardous!)  It is our hope that our talking to you will help the time you spend in our office pass quickly. We know it can help because we receive specialized training in dental school that helps us be very sensitive to the patient’s experience and point of view while we’re working.

Part of a dentist’s training is to learn and practice different techniques that can help you relax during routine exams and specific procedures. We’ve been trained well in the science of dentistry, as well as in the art of combining both psychological and pharmacological approaches (sedation dentistry) to keep each unique individual comfortable.

Learning to make you feel comfortable and at ease during your visits is a whole art unto itself, and one that must be learned along with a tremendous body of medicine and science that supports your safe and effective treatment. We sometimes jokingly refer to surgeons and some types of physicians as “lucky” in this regard – because they often put patients completely “out” before performing any procedure on them. That means they don’t have to worry about learning and practicing this special art like dentists do.

There’s also one more strategy behind our striking up a conversation. If you’re relaxed, we also find it may be easier for you to share with us any dental concerns and needs that may have come up since your last visit. Remember, we’re not here to practice our oratory skills. We’re here to help you maintain good oral health and give you a smile you can be proud of. Our goal is to make your experience with us as pleasant as possible. The more we can help you relax while you’re here, the more likely you’ll feel good about coming back and being proactive about maintaining your oral health.

Thickening of blood vessels is a complication of diabetes that may increase risk for gum disease. Blood vessels deliver oxygen and nourishment to body tissues, including the mouth, and carry away the tissues’ waste products. Diabetes causes blood vessels to thicken, which slows the flow of nutrients and the removal of harmful wastes. This can weaken the resistance of gum and bone tissue to infection.

To compound this marked weakness in gum and bone tissue is the fact that many bacteria thrive on glucose, the very same sugar that can easily rocket out of control in diabetics. Aside from diabetics, anyone who practices poor oral cleaning habits is prone to periodontal disease, and once you have it you might soon be suffering from bad breath, loss of teeth, or even heart disease. According to the New York Times: Studies have reported that people who have heart disease have a 1.5 – 4 times increased risk for periodontal disease.

The risk is [of heart disease]highest for patients with extensive gum disease, bleeding from every tooth.) Acute coronary syndrome, high blood pressure (hypertension), and high cholesterol have also been associated with periodontal disease.

Combating periodontal disease can have many positive repercussions around the body, from keeping your mouth minty fresh, to maintaining a healthy heart!

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

Dry mouth can have many causes. It can occur when a person is stressed or upset, may be a sign of aging, and can also be caused by radiation therapy, chemotherapy, diseases like AIDS or diabetes, and mny different medications. In fact, studies have shown that up to 400 medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can contribute to dry mouth. Some of these types of medicines include certain anti-depressants, antihistamines, decongestants, muscle relaxants, and pain-killers.

People experiencing dry mouth need to maintain good oral hygiene and nutritional habits. Adding fluoride to your diet and increasing the amount of water you drink are an important line of defense to battle dry mouth. Sugar-free candy or gum also will help stimulate saliva flow, and alcohol, caffeine, and smoking should be avoided. Citrus juices, overly salty foods, and dry foods like toast or crackers should also be eliminated from your diet if you experience dry mouth. Above all, the most important thing is to keep visiting your dentist regularly. He or she can properly diagnose your condition, offer suggestions and solutions to help the problem, and replace moisture in your mouth with artificial saliva and oral rinses.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

A problem that can arise with wisdom teeth is that they don’t always come in properly. The lower wisdom teeth in particular can sometimes only come in partially. This leaves the rest of the tooth under a flap of gum. When this happens, bacteria and pieces of food can get trapped under this flap, causing the gum to swell and become irritated. This infection is called pericoronitis.

Symptoms of pericoronitis can include pain in the area around your teeth, a bad taste in the mouth or bad breath, swelling of the gums around your back teeth, and a difficulty in opening your mouth all the way. If the pericoronitis is severe, the swelling and infection may extend past the jaw all the way to the cheeks and neck.

The pain of pericoronitis can be somewhat alleviated by swishing warm salt water around the mouth, but people experiencing these symptoms should see their dentist. The dentist can clean the area to remove damaged tissue or pus, and also prescribe antibiotics for the pain. If the pain and swelling are severe, oral surgery may be necessary to remove the flap of gum or wisdom tooth.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

When women are pregnant, they have a higher chance in general of developing swollen gums because of the hormonal changes that take place in the body right after conception. Usually these effects are temporary, but this condition is still important to treat. It’s believed that in some women, the oral bacteria that’s responsible for the gum disease enters the bloodstream – not only exposing the baby to the bacteria, but also alerting the immune system to send signals to the uterus that the baby needs to be delivered. The American Academy of Periodontology speculates that “the likely culprit is a labor-inducing chemical found in oral bacteria called prostaglandin.”

While more research needs to be done in this area, studies have already been done to establish the risk of premature birth from gum disease. Professor Steven Offenbacher from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill tested 357 women for gum disease when they were less than 26 weeks pregnant and again three days after their babies were born. His study concluded that the women with gum disease during pregnancy had a higher than average rate of going into labor more than three weeks early.

So what can be done to prevent premature birth from gum disease? Visiting the dentist regularly, just as people should throughout their lives, can help identify potential problems before they escalate. Also, eating at least three servings of foods high in calcium each day can help prevent gum disease as well.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

First of all, most dentists recommend picking a soft-bristled toothbrush. These are best for removing plaque and debris from your teeth. Harder brushes may wear away the enamel on your teeth, and damage your teeth or gums. Secondly, the toothbrush should be small enough to be comfortable in your mouth and reach all surfaces of your teeth, including the hard-to-reach back teeth. When brushing properly, the bristles should go a little under the gumline and around the edges of each tooth. A smaller brush is more effective in getting thoroughly around the teeth, and getting closer to the gumline where bacteria like to flourish. Adults with smaller mouths might even do better to use a kid’s toothbrush.

Your toothbrush should be replaced every 3 months or so, or whenever the bristles start looking worn or bent. Some toothbrushes have a color indicator that tells you when it’s time to replace your brush. If you’ve been sick, you should also replace your toothbrush so that the sick bacteria doesn’t spread to your healthy, germ-free mouth and cause re-infection. An electric toothbrush is another option. These can do a better job of cleaning the teeth, and are especially beneficial to those who can’t easily reach all their teeth, or who have arthritis or other problems with their hands or arms.

Whatever toothbrush you use, it is important to also visit your dentist for more intensive cleanings at your regular check-ups. Such preventative action can put a stop to dental problems in the future.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that 43% of dentists believe maintaining good oral hygiene/preventive care is going to be the main oral health issue facing the baby-boomer generation, while thirty-two percent believe periodontal disease will be the primary concern. While these may be the most pressing issues, a survey of the baby boomers’ most requested procedures showed that this generation of adults is instead more concerned with their improving the look of their teeth. The number-one requested procedure by adults aged 40 to 60 was named as teeth whitening by 63% of dentists, with veneers, bonding, and crowns ranking as the second most requested procedure. Treatment for periodontal disease ranked third according to 55% percent of dentists.

Focusing more on periodontal disease would be beneficial for baby boomers. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, periodontal or gum disease is the second most prevalent disease in the U.S. after heart disease, affecting more than 50 million Americans — and only 15–20% receive treatment. Baby boomers would do well to brush twice daily, floss at least once before bed, and visit their dentist regularly, which is the same dental advice given to everyone throughout their lives. It sounds simple, but has many benefits, and will prepare adults for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

In 2006 members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry were surveyed and the results showed that 12.8% of patients were not happy with their natural born smiles, and looked for alternate ways to brighten their teeth. With the explosion of cosmetic procedures in the last few years, this number has undoubtedly increased and it bears the question; how much is too much?

Statistics show that teeth whitening is the number one requested cosmetic dental procedure today. It’s no wonder, because even outside of the dentist office, its popularity is flourishing. Americans spent over $1.4 billion on teeth whitening products in the last year alone. And in today’s society, which is driven by beautiful celebrities flashing their perfectly straight and white teeth on the covers of magazines everywhere, who wouldn’t want that? According to the American Dental Association, whitening products can either be administered by your dentist in the office, provided by your dentist to be used at home, or can be purchased over-the-counter. The two major groups of whitening products include peroxide-containing whiteners or bleaching agents and whitening toothpastes. Some products are more effective than others, and although certain side effects may occur such as tooth sensitivity, and tissue irritation, most are temporary and stop after treatment.

It is important to consult your dentist before excessively trying to achieve the perfect smile on your own, however, a beautiful smile can be a wonderful stepping stone towards an increased self-confidence.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!