Fort Lauderdale dentist

Keeping teeth healthy during pregnancy

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Maintaining your health during pregnancy includes keeping your teeth healthy. You should maintain regular dentistry appointments and oral care throughout this special time. Our team at East Broward Dental can provide guidelines for regular care.

Changes During Pregnancy

The hormonal changes that prepare your body for pregnancy and childbirth can also have an effect on your dental health. These hormones affect the connective tissues throughout your body, including the tissues in your mouth. Your gums might become more sensitive and more prone to infection and gum disease. Your gums are also more likely to bleed during brushing while you are pregnant. This makes regular trips to the dentist important so that any symptoms of gingivitis or periodontal disease are diagnosed and treated promptly.

If you suffer from morning sickness, your teeth could also be more susceptible to decay because of increased acid in the mouth. Using a mouthwash can help reduce acid buildup on your teeth, making it less likely that this acid will lead to severe decay. If you experience any symptoms of gum disease or possible decay, be sure to bring these to our dentist’s attention as soon as possible.

Dental Care During Pregnancy

Be sure to maintain your regular dental care routine during your pregnancy. Brush and floss regularly to keep your teeth clean and ensure the health of your gums. Visit the dentist for standard cleanings and other care. Our dentist will make recommendations as to how often you should have your teeth cleaned and be screened for gum disease and oral cancers.

When you visit the dentist, be sure to let the dentist know that you are pregnant. It is advisable to avoid X-rays during pregnancy. The exposure to radiation from a standard X-ray is relatively small, but because your baby is growing very quickly, the side effects of the exposure can be more severe than they are with an adult. Therefore, dentists avoid X-rays for pregnant women except in emergencies.

If you are pregnant and have questions about proper oral hygiene and dental care during pregnancy, please call our office at 954-905-2000 for more information.

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Is It Too Late to Have Braces If I Am An Adult?

Dental work is not just for adolescents. If you’re an adult and have misaligned teeth, you can have braces or Invisalign to correct the problem. Proper tooth alignment is important to your dental health and can also greatly increase your quality of life, particularly if you are self-conscious about your teeth.

Dental Options for Adults

Dentistry is often considered a rite of passage for adolescents. Braces are used after all the permanent teeth have emerged to ensure they are properly aligned. However, many adults also have alignment problems. Sometimes these issues develop with age, while others simply weren’t treated earlier. If you are experiencing wear and tear, symptoms of TMD, or have teeth that are crooked, poorly spaced, or overlap, dentistry can help.

There are options available aside from traditional braces for those who prefer that their braces not be obvious. These include:

• Lingual braces—the braces are placed on the backs of the teeth instead of the front
• Porcelain braces—these tooth-colored braces are less visible
• Invisalign—uses plastic aligner trays to move the teeth into position

These are all popular options for adults who wish to have dental work, especially those who work with the public or whose appearance is important to their job.

Why Have Dental Work as an Adult?

There are several reasons why you might choose to have braces as an adult. Misaligned teeth can cause a variety of long-term problems, including:

• Premature wear
• Habitual grinding and clenching
• Malocclusion
• Temporomandibular joint disorder

You also might just feel self-conscious about your teeth if they overlap or have visible gaps between them. Having dental work can increase your self-confidence and thus improve your quality of life.

Invisalign is a popular option for adults because the clear plastic aligner trays are easy to use, comfortable, and practically invisible. You can have your teeth straightened without anyone knowing you’re even wearing the trays. Treatment is very effective, and in most cases takes about the same amount of time as traditional braces.

Call our office today to speak with a member of our caring team and set up a consultation about Invisalign with our Dr. Taskonak.