If you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant soon, you can expect many changes in your life. In addition to making room in your home for your new family member, you’ll be making many appointments to make sure your health is in good order. This includes calling your dentist in Bel Air, as pregnancy can cause changes in your oral health. Watch this video to learn more about how your dentist can help you maintain good oral health during pregnancy .

As your dentist can tell you, pregnant women may notice that their gums are more sensitive or bleed more easily during the first few months of pregnancy. This is known as pregnancy gingivitis, and is a relatively common occurrence. You should brush your teeth twice per day and floss every day, taking care to use a fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush with soft bristles, to prevent gingivitis and gum disease. Your diet is important during pregnancy both for you and your growing baby. Go for a variety of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, and try to minimize your sugar intake to keep your mouth and body healthy.

Everyone wants to have a beautiful smile full of healthy, white teeth. However, there’s more to oral health than just having a bright smile. In addition to visiting your dentist near Bel Air every six months, you should brush your teeth twice per day and floss on a daily basis. This combination of professional and at-home oral care will help keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay. Gum disease can be painful and damaging to your oral health, as it could lead to tooth loss if it is left to progress unchecked. Keep reading to learn about the risk factors for gum disease and what you can do lower your risk.

Age
While there are some risk factors for gum disease that you and your dentist can control, there are others that you just can’t. As you grow older, you are at a greater risk for gum disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 75 percent of people in the U.S. ages 65 and older have gum disease. Make sure that you are visiting your periodontist regularly if you have a history of or signs of gum disease.

Smoking
It is widely known that smoking and using other forms of tobacco is dangerous for your health, and your oral health is no exception. Smoking greatly increases your risk of periodontal disease, and using tobacco can exacerbate any gum disease that is already present. Additionally, if you continue to smoke, it will be much more difficult to treat gum disease in a successful manner.

Genetics
If you have a family history of gum disease, you may be at a greater risk of developing it yourself. That’s why it’s important to discuss your medical history with your dentist, as a preventive treatment plan can help lower your risk of gum disease.

Stress
Stress can take a physical toll on your body as well as mental and emotional tolls. Studies have shown that high levels of stress make it harder for your body to fight off infections, which can include periodontal disease. Work on reducing your stress levels to improve your oral health as well as your overall outlook.

Your teeth are designed to last a lifetime, but you should still do what you can to protect yourself against gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health problems. During your next visit to your dentist in Bel Air, find out what you can do to keep your oral health in good condition. Your dentist may recommend sealants if you do not already have them to protect your teeth against decay. Sealants are used on the chewing surfaces of molars, helping to seal off the pits and grooves in your teeth against plaque, tartar, and decay. They make the surfaces of your teeth smoother and easier to clean, and help prevent bacteria from building up in those pits. Your dentist or dental hygienist can apply sealants in a short, painless procedure. The sealant material will be painted onto your teeth, and then either harden on their own or be cured by a special light. After you get your sealants, you’ll have additional protection against decay, but you should still practice a good at-home oral care routine to ensure a happy, healthy smile.

When you look at your smile in the mirror, do you notice that your teeth could use some improvements? If you have teeth that are misaligned, it could have a negative effect on your oral health as well as your aesthetic appearance. When you’re ready to correct your smile, talk to your dentist in Bel Air about your options for orthodontic treatment. Invisalign is a discreet alternative to traditional metal braces, as the smooth plastic aligners are practically invisible. Invisalign can help correct a number of different alignment issues. Read on to learn more.

Gapped Teeth
If you have sizeable spaces in between some or all of your teeth, Invisalign may be able to help treat this. Gaps can be caused by the way the jaw bone grows, or by missing teeth since remaining teeth will shift in their absence. Even if gapped teeth do not present an aesthetic concern for you, the extra space leaves your gums more vulnerable to periodontal disease. Normally, the gums are protected by the teeth, but with gaps, there is less of a barrier between the gums and disease-causing bacteria.

Overbite
Overbite, or overjet as it’s known to your dentist, refers to when the upper teeth protrude abnormally far in front of the lower teeth. It can be caused by genetics, bone development, or oral habits. An overbite can cause excess wear on the lower teeth as well as jaw problems that can be quite painful. Invisalign can often help correct an overbite.

Open Bite
Open bite occurs when teeth don’t make contact when the jaw is completely closed. This may be a result of thumb-sucking, or genetics. If you have an open bite, you may experience problems speaking, or trouble chewing your food thoroughly. Since it can also lead to jaw disorders, Invisalign is a good choice to help correct this misalignment.

Crowded Bite
If you do not have enough room in your jaw for all of your teeth, you may have crowded teeth. Your dentist may recommend extraction in order to make room for everything, or use Invisalign to help prevent your teeth from growing into a more crooked, misaligned position.