It is said that a mother’s work is never done, and that once a person becomes a parent, it is a labour of love that lasts a lifetime. The same thing could be said about your smile. Your smile should be there for you – strong, healthy, and lasting a lifetime. We have tips on how to help moms to keep their smiles healthy for life through the various stages of parenting, as well as some gift ideas to help promote good dental and overall health.
To those Moms in our dental family, we want you to know just how special you are to us! We hope that you have a wonderful, deserving and relaxing Mother’s Day. 🙂
For Expecting & New Moms
Pregnant women are at increased risk for periodontal disease because the increased levels of progesterone that come with pregnancy cause an exaggerated response to plaque bacteria. As a result, pregnant women are more likely to develop gingivitis even if they follow a consistent oral health care routine.
Gingivitis is most common during months two to eight of pregnancy. Tell your dentist when you are pregnant — he or she may recommend more frequent dental cleanings during the second trimester or early in the third trimester to help combat the effects of increased progesterone and help you avoid gingivitis.
Rinse your mouth out with water or an alcohol-free mouth rinse if you suffer from morning sickness and have bouts of frequent vomiting.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Your baby’s first teeth begin to develop about three months into pregnancy. Healthy diets containing dairy products, cheese, and yogurt are a good source of these essential minerals and are good for baby’s developing teeth, gums, and bones.
Gift Ideas: Help Mom to get some restful sleep with a sleep mask, Also remember to give the priceless gift of peace and quiet to help mom relax and sleep well!
For Moms with young children:
Working moms with kids are hard pressed for time, which means that they can neglect the basics, including proper dental hygiene, for themselves and their kids. Dental health is a critical component of overall health. Follow these tips to work dental hygiene into your daily schedule:
1. Drink lots of water. Keep a full pitcher of purified water in the fridge and water bottles in the car for easy access at home and on the go.
2. Keep a set of toothbrushes and toothpaste by the kitchen sink or at work. Get in the habit of brushing teeth after meals right in the kitchen to make it more convenient.
3. Keep travel toothbrushes and floss on hand. Pack a set of travel toothbrushes and floss in your purse or in the car so that you can brush and floss on the go when time is tight.
4. Make smart snack choices. Keep healthy snacks ready to eat in the fridge such as washed and sliced fruit and vegetables and cubed cheese.
5. Drink sugary beverages with a straw. When you do drink soda, use a straw so that the sugar does not have as much contact with the teeth. Wash your mouth out with water afterward.
6. Chew gum. Sugar free gum with the sugar substitute Xylitol kills bacteria in the mouth following meals. It also pulls food particles off of the teeth and promotes saliva flow to help neutralize acids.
7. Educate your children. The more that kids know about making smart eating choices and practicing good health hygiene, the better they will feel, encouraging them to maintain healthy lifestyles. It can be fun and healthy to set aside family routine for teeth brushing and flossing. We strongly encourage even the busiest of moms to take time for themselves and schedule regular health and dental checkups.
Gift Ideas: An electric toothbrush or a travel cosmetic case filled with dental health goodies like a travel toothbrush, floss picks and toothpaste. Alone time can be hard to come by for mothers. A bluetooth shower speaker may help mom take some time for herself.
For “Experienced” Moms & Grandmothers:
Age in and of itself is not a dominant or sole factor in determining oral health. However, advancing age puts many seniors at risk for a number of oral health issues, such as:
1. Dry mouth. It is due to reduced saliva flow, and can be a result of cancer treatment or as side effects of many medication. Ask your dentist for products that can help relieve dry mouth.
2. Root decay. It is common for gum tissue to recede from the teeth with age, and the roots of your teeth become exposed. As they do not have enamel to protect them, roots of your teeth become more prone to decay.
3. Gum disease. It is caused by plaque build-up and made worsen by diabetes, poor-fitting bridges and dentures. When left untreated, gum disease can cause mobility of teeth, and eventually loss of teeth.
4. Denture-induced stomatitis. Poor dental hygiene, ill-fitting dentures, or a buildup of the fungus can cause this condition, which is inflammation of the tissue underlying a denture.
To maintain good oral health, it is important to brush at least twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, floss at least once a day and visit your dentist on a regular schedule for cleaning and an oral exam. During your routine exam, your dentist will check for: your face for sores, moles, skin discolouration, your bite, your jaw, your lymph nodes and salivary glands for any sign of swelling or lumps, your cheeks for ulcers, other soft tissue areas for signs of infection or oral cancer and your teeth for decay, fracture and condition of past restorations.
Gift Ideas: Power up mom or grandmother’s brushing routine with an electric toothbrush, which can remove more plaque than conventional brushes, and is still gentle on dental work.
As always, if you have any questions, we are happy to help. Call us at 587-757-9809 or send us an email anytime at crystalsmiles@telus.net. Again, Happy Mother’s Day to our patients, friends and family from all of us at Crystal Smiles!
