Is Dental Work Safe During Pregnancy?

When you’re expecting a baby, chances are, your dental health is not on the forefront of your mind. But did you know that the same pregnancy hormones known for causing morning sickness, strange cravings and increased sensitivity can also increase your risk for periodontal disease? Additionally, any oral infection has the added chance of effecting the unborn baby so preventing and treating hormone-induced gum disease or any other dental problem, is important.

For this reason, visiting the dentist during pregnancy should be an essential part of your prenatal care. However, some women avoid the dentist during pregnancy because they mistakenly think that treatment is unsafe. However, the ADA, most dentists, and obstetricians agree that most dental treatments are 100% safe during pregnancy and your dental health should not be ignored!

Using Local Anesthesia during Pregnancy

Many women worry about the safety of local anesthetic during pregnancy. According to the FDA, most local anesthetics that dentists use are safe for pregnant or nursing mothers. Dentists base this recommendation on the fact that Lidocaine, Prilocaine, and Etidocaine, the most commonly used local anesthetics, are considered “Category B” drugs by the USDA. A “Category B” drug is one that has been scientifically tested and has not been linked to fetal abnormalities. Most obstetricians, dentists, and general practice doctors view these drugs as harmless, however waiting until the second trimester is recommended where possible. Most dentists also require written authorization from their patients OBGYN to receive dental work requiring local anesthetic just to make sure patient and baby are in good health. 

Focusing on Dental Health

Caring for your oral health during pregnancy is important for both you and your baby, so don’t avoid the dentist because you are concerned that dental procedures might be unsafe. Instead, have an honest discussion with your dentist about your pregnancy and your concerns. Your dentist and obstetrician will work together to ensure you and your baby receive the best possible care. If you are in the Green Bay area, Dr. Marty Williams would be happy to talk over your concerns. Please don’t hesitate to contact Sierra Dental today!
 

Do Toothbrush Bristles Really Matter?

Who knew that choosing a toothbrush required doing your research first? We did, and now you do, too.

The next time you’re in the market for a toothbrush, be sure to read the package to understand exactly what you’re getting. Toothbrushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and with different bristle firmness: you can choose soft bristles, medium bristles, or hard bristles. Each toothbrush advertises having its own advantages and disadvantages, but is there one best brush across the board? At Sierra Dental, Dr. Marty Williams strongly suggests soft-bristled toothbrush’s to all of his patients.

Our Green Bay dental practice prides itself in building lasting relationships with our patients; that means we’re always here to inform and answer questions. Keep reading to find out the difference between the different types of toothbrush bristles and why soft-bristled brushes are the best option for your teeth.

What the different Brushes Advertise vs the Truth

Given the manner in which different toothbrushes are advertised, you might wonder why soft brushes are the best option.

Each brush claims to have a different advantage to offer you should you choose them. Soft brushes might be gentler on the gums and on particularly fragile teeth, but hard brushes are supposed to be better at cleaning teeth. The firm bristles are said to be best for scrubbing away plaque and staining substances. And, if you want the best of both—better scrubbing than soft bristles, but gentler than the hard bristles—you could always choose a medium brush. These three types of brushes sound like perfect solutions for different problems, so why wouldn’t Dr. Williams recommend medium or hard bristled brushes?

Simply put, harder bristles have negative effects that outweigh any positives.

The Truth about Bristle Strength

You do not need harder bristles to get cleaner teeth. The ADA-approved toothpaste you should be using already includes mild abrasives, such as calcium carbonate, that already do the job hard-bristled brushes are said to do: scrub away plaque and surface stains more effectively. If your toothpaste and soft brush are not doing the job well enough, then it may be time to switch toothpastes rather than brushes. Harder bristles don’t grind these abrasive agents more effectively than a soft brush would, so their alleged benefit is a moot point.

Instead, medium and hard toothbrushes increase the risk for oral damage. When people use firmer-bristled brushes, not only are they using something that grinds harder against the teeth, but they are also in the mindset that harder brushing is better; that is, they believe that applying more force with a brush is a good thing. The combination of rougher bristles with more force carries with it a strong risk of damaging the gums, which support grown teeth. The resulting separation and recession of the gums from the teeth greatly increases the odds of tooth decay, tooth loss, and tooth sensitivity. This combination can also chip up the sides of the teeth, further increasing the likelihood of tooth decay.

With these penalties and without any supposed benefits, the only toothbrush worth using is the one that will not damage your gums and teeth: a soft-bristled toothbrush used in a very gentle manner.

Make an Appointment Today!

If you have more questions about your oral hygiene and are in the Green Bay area, feel free to give us a call at Sierra Dental today! We can walk you through the different types of oral hygiene options, and help you make the best choice for you and your family.