Caring for an Elderly Parent With Special Dental Needs

Caring for an Elderly Parent With Special Dental Needs

3 Dental Mistakes Pregnant Women Make

Joe Lawrence

Pregnancy is a time of great joy, but it can also be a time of anxiety and confusion as to what's allowed and what's not. Below are listed three common dental mistakes pregnant women make and why these mistakes can be harmful to yourself and your baby.

1. Skipping Out on Dentist Appointments

Pregnancy can cause a lot of changes to the gums and teeth, so skipping out on appointments at this time isn't advised.

While certain precautions do have to be taken during pregnancy, such as avoidance of different medications and procedures, this doesn't mean that you have to miss any of your dental appointments while pregnant. Instead, inform your hygienist and dentist of your pregnancy and request only a cleaning and checkup. A routine checkup will ensure that any dental problems are caught before invasive treatment is needed, such as the beginnings of gingivitis and the gentle, non-invasive cleaning can ensure your teeth and gums are properly cared for during this time of great change.

2. Backing Down on Brushing and Flossing Due to Bleeding Gums

Gingivitis is common during pregnancy and while the sight of blood may scare you, it usually doesn't mean you're brushing too hard.

If you haven't changed up your dental hygiene routine since becoming pregnant but are noticing increased bleeding or irritation, you're probably suffering from pregnancy-related gingivitis and should stepping be up your dental routine instead of backing down. Bleeding, redness, pain, and irritation are common signs of gingivitis that can be treated with regular brushing and flossing. If the bleeding or other symptoms increase over time or fail to go away despite your amped-up care routine, consider making an appointment with your dentist to ensure there isn't a more complex issue.  

3. Ignoring Signs of Dental Disease or Injury

While many dental procedures and treatments will need to be avoided during pregnancy, there are emergency dental situations that will require emergency intervention and care.

Ignoring signs of dental disease or injury may cause more harm to yourself and your baby in the long run which is why it's advised that you consult with your dentist and obstetrician in the case of a dental emergency. In certain cases, medications that wouldn't be given or procedures that wouldn't be performed on pregnant woman may be the lesser of two evils. If you're suffering from sudden onset of a dental disease or have experienced a dental injury, contact both your dentist and obstetrician immediately.

To learn more about dental care during pregnancy, consult with dentist such as Louisville Family Dental and an obstetrician. 


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Caring for an Elderly Parent With Special Dental Needs

Caring for an elderly parent tends to be tough enough without the added stress of dealing with dental implants or dentures. But, the prospect is not the end of the world—there are many things you can do to ensure that your parent's dental health is not compromised without having to spend a lot of personal time doing the care yourself. Between working with the right dentist, hiring a service provider for part time work, and giving your parent the tools he or she needs to care for his or her own dental health at home, you'll find that dental health for your loved one isn't so tough or time consuming after all. Hopefully you are able to get the support and information you need right here.

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